Vibrant Works provides employment and opportunity for visually impaired
By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos by JANE GIBSON and courtesy of VIBRANT WORKS
Where do you look for a job when you are blind or vision-impaired? For employees like Nancy Blackwell and Krystal Voss, the answer is the Vibrant Works Base Supply Center on Fort Hood. Vibrant Works, formerly known as San Antonio Lighthouse, is a nonprofit organization empowering individuals with vision loss to live independent and fulfilling lives — starting with meaningful employment.
“A lot of blind or vision-impaired people feel hopeless. It’s hard to find a job,” said Voss, who has been blind since birth and has worked at the Fort Hood store since 2017. “I’m so grateful to work here, and everyone here is supportive. They believe in us and don’t treat us as lesser.”
Vibrant Works is one of the largest U.S. employers of people who are blind. They are also Texas’ top manufacturer of military apparel, and they operate Base Supply Centers on military installations across three states. But their impact goes beyond jobs — they provide essential skills training that helps thousands of individuals with vision loss gain confidence and independence. Most of all, they are proud to employ nearly 250 individuals who are blind or visually impaired. These are real jobs with real purpose.
“Our employees are at the heart of every part of the operation — they are not just part of the mission; they are the mission,” said Shane Steele, a 30-year Army veteran and senior director of business development at Vibrant Works. “From the front of the store to product assembly and logistics, we focus on capability, not limitations. The base supply centers deliver high quality products and services to military and government customers in a retail setting. These stores are staffed by people with vision loss, and many of the products we sell are also made by individuals who are blind, creating a full circle of opportunity.”
Growing into a national network of 13 stores on federal bases across Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico, the Base Supply Center program is central to the company’s mission. The Vibrant Works organization operates under the AbilityOne Program, which provides meaningful employment to individuals with vision loss and other disabilities while supplying essential products to the federal government. They are proud to offer products that are American made — by hand, not by sight.
“These stores are not only mission-critical to the military, but also to the lives of the people we employ. The public should know that when they support us, they’re directly impacting lives,” Steele said. “That’s something I’m proud to be a part of.”
Vibrant Works offers a wide selection of mission ready kits, tools, safety solutions, and furniture products. Their team works closely with military and government buyers to meet their needs while staying true to their mission of empowering people with vision loss through meaningful employment.
Simply put, empowerment is at the center of everything Vibrant Works does. Behind every sale and service is a person like Blackwell who is gaining confidence, stability and purpose every day.
“I’m just thankful that they help out vision-impaired people,” she said. “It’s hard to find a job, but I’ve worked here seven years now and I love coming to work every day.”
Fort Hood store manager Fred Leal, who came to Vibrant Works after a long managerial career with Walmart, agreed. “What this company does to help vision-impaired folks is to provide true opportunities for employment and personal growth. Some are so down and out and feel worthless. Being able to work provides them with purpose.”
The organization’s Base Supply Centers are more than just government stores — they are places where individuals with vision loss and other disabilities are building careers, supporting their families, and contributing to their communities every day. Vibrant Works also creates meaningful jobs for veterans and supports Fort Hood by helping meet their training, operational, and combat mission needs. The organization is also focused on increasing their services for veterans, particularly veterans with disabilities, and expanding programs to support their transition into meaningful civilian careers.
In addition to their Base Supply Centers, Vibrant Works provides independent living services, technology and vocational training, and youth programs — all designed to help individuals with vision loss gain confidence, independence, and meaningful opportunities. From young children to older adults, they offer full circle support rooted in the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.
“The Central Texas community understands service, purpose, and resilience, which align perfectly with our work,” Steele said. “The support we receive from Fort Hood and the larger Central Texas region has helped us grow and succeed. We’re grateful for how welcoming and mission-minded this community is, especially when it comes to partnering on initiatives that support veterans and our mission. We’re also proud to hire veterans and their family members, providing meaningful employment to those who have served.”
VIBRANT WORKS
Website: https://vibrantworks.org/
