Jim Kesteloot to retire from Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind

By Marie Balice Ward

Jim Kesteloot, president and executive director of the Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired, announced he will retire in January 2009 after 40 years of service.

“Jim is probably the most dedicated, selfless person I know for the visually impaired,” said Carl J. Konrath, Chicago Lighthouse board member for ten years. “He works very hard to find new programs, always thinking and exploring to discover more opportunities for the visually impaired.”

Mary Zabelski, a founder and outgoing president of the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments, said Kesteloot “feels from the heart. He truly understands the issues, especially employment.”

Ramona Samuelson, widow of Kesteloot’s predecessor at the Chicago Lighthouse, called him “a fantastic person” and said, “We will miss him very much. No one wants him to leave. We hope he will stay involved.”

Fortunately for Samuelson and everyone else at the organization, Kesteloot does plan to continue at the lighthouse "in some capacity," he said.

 

From client to employee

Kesteloot will leave exactly on his 40th anniversary after serving in various capacities over the years. His involvement with the organization began as a child, when he received services at the Low Vision Center for his own visual impairment. After learning to read with telescopic lenses, he finished school and went on to earn a BS degree from Loyola University.

He came to work at the Chicago Lighthouse on Jan. 15, 1969, as a placement counselor. In that position, he toured plants not only to help visually impaired and blind individuals find jobs but to discover products that could be manufactured at the Chicago Lighthouse.

In those early years, he earned a scholarship as part of a Chicago Lighthouse program that each year awards scholarships for academic excellence to young people with visual impairments. Kesteloot used his to earn a master's from DePaul University in management of rehabilitation services and said today’s winners have received degrees in fields ranging from architecture to social work.

Over the years, he worked his way up to higher positions and eventually was named president upon the death of Milt Samuelson. Throughout his career, Kesteloot has worked to mainstream the visually impaired and blind and help them with career options.

“Jim has had remarkable success in getting jobs, finding opportunities, and identifying job skills needed to promote opportunities,” Zabelski said.

Joel Kaplan, chair of the Lighthouse’s board of directors, said Kesteloot has left “an indelible mark on the Chicago Lighthouse through his outstanding leadership” and “has also profoundly influenced the national scene, where he has been a tireless crusader to strengthen and expand federal legislation to assist people who are blind in retaining and gaining employment.”

Under Kesteloot, the Chicago Lighthouse has grown to serve more than 70,000 people of all ages across the country every year. Its diverse programs employ and are run by visually impaired, blind, or physically disabled individuals.

Kesteloot said “employment, transportation, education, and housing are among the most important areas where the visually impaired and blind need support. We are working toward improving the living conditions of the visually impaired and blind by identifying and creating new opportunities through new technology, communications, government funding, training, and employment.

In December, Kesteloot announced establishment of a call center to expedite hiring of the visually impaired and blind. The center’s staff consists of disabled, blind, and visually impaired individuals; this initiative was made possible with support from the Illinois Department of Human Services and CompTia, a local funding source.

The Chicago Lighthouse also runs a library, which stocks Braille and large print textbooks and other learning materials, and the Lighthouse Industries clock manufacturing facility, which is staffed by visually impaired individuals and makes custom clocks for institutions throughout the U.S. and around the world.

The organization operates a school for children who are visually impaired, blind, or have multiple disabilities; a fast growing seniors' program that helps the increasing numbers of aging Americans; and a radio station aided by volunteer readers to keep the blind and visually impaired up to date on current events, news, sports, and pop culture.

Other offerings include the country's first low vision clinic, which now has satellite clinics at various hospitals throughout the greater Chicago area; a technology center with equipment designed for the visually impaired; computer training programs; an adaptive technology program to help any visually impaired person experiencing computer problems throughout the country; a store run by visually impaired individuals; a cafeteria owned and operated by visually impaired individuals; and a veterans program providing services in all 50 states. Off site, a lighthouse store at Midway Airport sells coffee and snacks to travelers and provides jobs to the blind.

The Chicago Lighthouse also runs the Kane Legal Clinic, which was established while Kesteloot was president. Headed by retired Cook County Judge Nicholas Pomaro, the clinic provides legal assistance against discrimination and helps on other issues for the visually impaired.

 “Jim has played a consistently important role at the lighthouse,” stated volunteer Dan Lee, former president of the Chicago Lighthouse’s board of directors, who was instrumental in expanding the lighthouse. “As someone who is himself visually impaired, Jim has had and continues to have a special understanding about the physical and emotional needs of the blind and visually impaired.”

 

Warm and inviting

Besides its services and programs, the lighthouse offers a meeting place with a warm and inviting atmosphere and recreational activities.

“We also strive to provide the blind and visually impaired with a social outlet and activities to prevent a sense of isolation,” said Kesteloot.

In summing up his four decades at the Chicago Lighthouse, he said, “I am so very proud of having had the opportunity to serve this marvelous organization which, through its long history, has been a trendsetter in offering innovative programs to assist people who are blind or visually impaired in leading richer, more independent lives.”

Kesteloot will be honored at the agency’s 2008 Seeing What’s Possible Dinner on Thursday, May 15, 6 to 9 p.m., Hyatt Regency Chicago’s Crystal Ballroom, 151 E. Wacker Dr. Among the highlights will be the presentation of the Beacon of Light Award to Kesteloot. Proceeds will support 25 Chicago Lighthouse programs.

            The Chicago Lighthouse is located at 1850 W. Roosevelt Rd. Call (312) 666-1331.