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Shining light on nonprofit’s good works
Dominic Calabrese of Norwood Park was promoted to vice president of public relations for Chicago Lighthouse for People who are Blind or Visually impaired. | Contributed photo
Updated: January 7, 2013 6:06AM
Dominic Calabrese of Norwood Park recently was promoted to vice president of public relations at The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired, 1850 W. Roosevelt Rd.
Calabrese, who joined the Lighthouse in 2004, supervises three people responsible for media relations, publications, tours, social media, marketing and maintenance of the agency’s website.
Under Calabrese, the public relations department has won five Golden Trumpet Awards and two Silver Trumpet Awards from the Publicity Club of Chicago.
Calabrese also is an adjunct faculty member in public relations at Columbia College Chicago.
Q: Why did you pick Norwood Park?
A: It’s spacious. It blends city and suburban living.
Q: From where are you originally?
A: Downers Grove.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant or entertainment venue in town?
A: It may sound a little pedestrian, but I like LongHorn Steakhouse (in Norridge.) I like steak, and this is a weekly splurge.
Q: What inspired you to seek employment at Chicago Lighthouse?
A: It’s such a special place. It has an outstanding reputation for quality services and is an acknowledged leader in providing assistance to help those with visual impairments become more independent.
Q: What got you interested in working at Lighthouse?
A: I wanted to work for a nonprofit. It’s so exciting to be part of an organization that does so many wonderful things.
Q: What are your future career/volunteering goals?
A: I want to continue to be a part of an institution I find exciting. I want to help it become even more visible.
Q: What is your proudest moment or greatest achievement?
A: My proudest accomplishment was getting a front-page article in the Wall Street Journal about the Lighthouse factory that has a contract with the federal government to provide clocks in its buildings.
Q: What are you reading?
A: “Cronkite” by Douglas Brinkley and “Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: I just saw “Lincoln.” It was a masterpiece, brilliantly acted. What a remarkable man Lincoln was. The movie makes you appreciate what he had to do to keep the country together.
