EL PASO, Tx., September 1, 2025: After a decade-long absence, a vital resource for El Paso’s blind and visually impaired community may be on its way back. The El Paso Visually Impaired and Blind Experience (VIBE), a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is working to reinstate the Lighthouse for the Blind facility, aiming to bring back crucial training and job opportunities to our community.
The original El Paso Lighthouse for the Blind, which operated from 1934 to 2013 at 205 Tobin near the El Paso Zoo, provided a wide range of services. These included manufacturing jobs and job training, rehabilitation and daily living skills programs like Braille literacy and orientation and mobility (O&M) training, and valuable peer counseling. Its closure left a significant gap in local support services in El Paso.
The VIBE’s mission to fill this void began in 2017. “Our journey started in 2017, and we haven’t stopped,” said Mr. Palomar, the CEO of the organization. “We will continue until a facility is brought back that will service our visually impaired and blind community.” Palomar, who is visually impaired himself, understands the daily frustrations faced by his community. He is passionate about reducing those frustrations and removing impediments so that people can live more independent lives…