From Dan’s Desk

We often talk about our various programs.  We like to keep you informed on the things that are happening here at the Lighthouse by mentioning the different programs.  However, the only reason we have programs is to help people.  For example our Wheels of Work program helps people with transportation.  Our food bank helps people by providing food.  All our programs are designed to help people.

That is one of the things I love about working at the Lighthouse.  We do not value our programs, we value helping people.  Our programs are just a tool that we use to accomplish the task of helping people.

When you pray for the Lighthouse, you are not praying for our programs per se, you are praying for the people who will be helped through our programs.  When you are giving to the Lighthouse, you are not giving to a program.  You are giving to help people.

As many of you know, we have been trying to build another townhouse unit to help single parents get their feet on the ground.  We have run into a lot of unforeseen issues, mainly arsenic, that has prevented this from happening.  If we were only concerned with programs, I would be saying this project is dead.  But since we are worried about people, and in this case single parents, there is still hope.  We are looking at several options right now, weighing the pros and cons of each option.  I ask that you continue to pray for guidance in this area.

In this new decade, I ask for your continuing support of the Lighthouse.  Not so that we can build pretty building, but so we can help people.  Not so that we can have pretty programs, but so we can help people.  Thank you for all of your support so that we can help people.

Transitional Housing Update: Kaufman Drive Mother Succeeding!

Hailey (*name changed for confidentiality reasons) is a 19-year old, single mother of seven month old Connor. She is working full-time, has a blossoming relationship with her mom, and is living free of addiction. She is happy with the direction her life is going, and has plans to start college courses in nursing at Butler County Community College this fall.

Life for Hailey, however has not always been so simple and serene. She came to Kaufman Drive, the Lighthouse Foundation’s transitional housing for single parent families, from Safe Harbor, Butler countys first and only homeless “shelter.” Growing up, she lived with her mother, but eventually left her house due to family conflict. She then lived with her grandparents and various friends relatives for a while. Hailey had struggled with substance addiction for several years, but when she found out she was pregnant, immediately sought help and has been clean for over a year. Hailey and her mother did not always get along, but when she started turning her life around, and had her son, their relationship began to heal. Now her mother visits Hailey and Connor daily, and watches Connor while Hailey works as a waitress at a local restaurant. Great job Hailey, we look forward to seeing where God takes you and your family.