Lighthouse Ministries Inc
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Mission Statement
Lighthouse Ministries has three components: (1). Serving the homeless population 365 days a year by providing safe shelter with clean clothes, two snacks, two hot meals, hot shower and a place to sleep. (2). Serving those in residential recovery. The Life Learning Campus provides a 14-24 month, comprehensive residential program, meeting recovery needs for men, women and women with children. The Residential Recovery Program provides sustainable and long-term solutions to individuals who have chosen to change their lives and make a difference in the future of their children's lives, from homelessness to self-sufficiency. 3). Serving the surrounding impoverished community. We have H.O.P.E. Centers that, through an application process, provide food, clothing, housewares and furniture to needy families in the community. We provide all services with compassion and without discrimination
About This Cause
In April 1977, Lighthouse Ministries established a homeless shelter & soup kitchen, which is continued to this day. We provide food, case management, shelter and clothing 365 days a year. In 1987, the Emmanuel recovery program started for the men to improve the quality of their lives and achieve self-sufficiency. We now use a Safe Sheltering, Life Learning model at the residential campus which has expanded to serve men, women and children who need a place of refuge to begin a new life. Those in recovery have comprehensive needs met, including food, clothing, shelter, childcare, licensed mental health counseling, adult education, case management, career training, and job placement. The Jay & Eloise Troxel Family Life Center for Women & Children opened in 2001, which operates as a safe sheltering one- stop, comprehensive-care residential facility which assists victims of domestic violence, homelessness, and destructive lifestyles. The program provides direction, encouragement, accountability, and self-discipline to help bring about positive changes within the women's and children's lives. In 2003, we opened an accredited Community Preschool and KID care program for our residential children. While we care for their children, moms in recovery, along with men, can earn their GED, enhance memorization and learning skills, prepare for future employment, and work on computer and desktop publishing skills. Also in 2003, the first of our four thrift stores opened, which also create jobs and represent the industry element in our residential program. Our stores have H.O.P.E. assistance centers which allow us to distribute food directly to the families that come into our centers. There is an application process. We interview them to make sure the need is real and counsel them as well. We are seeing families being drained financially and in need of interventions. It is so difficult for people to make ends meet. Families who have been hit especially hard are those who have experienced serious blows to their income status, such as losing a job, facing a medical issue, dealing with an addiction issue, or struggling with an ongoing behavioral problem in the family that affects the entire household. H.O.P.E. assistance provides monthly food boxes, clothes, and household items as needed through the thrift stores. We want to do our part in food security by providing access to food to individuals and families. In 2006 we built our Hydroponic Garden which feeds our overnight guests, residents and employees year-round. In 2008, we brought the See the Need Help us Feed program, which serves the poor and homeless families in low-income areas of Polk and Hillsborough Counties. In 2012, Compassion Cards became part of our community homeless intervention outreach. The cards are used to assist the community in addressing panhandling. Compassion Cards have an 800# that store owners or individuals may call. We answer and help direct individuals and families in crisis to their best solution providers for their immediate and ongoing needs. This involves partnering with many agencies, behavioral health providers, and law enforcement. In 2022, we added ongoing English for Speakers of Other Language classes that are mainly provided in Hillsborough County in the areas of Ruskin and Ybor City. These are g helping both attendees and their employers. In 2024, we are expanding the number of beds available to women and children to meet the increased need. Also, in 2024 we are building five workforce, apartment-townhouse units on our main campus for those who have completed their recovery program and cannot find affordable housing. Lighthouse Ministries currently delivers these varied programs through 13 locations in Polk and Hillsborough Counties. Here are examples of their impact in 2023- 12,945 individuals served 214,478 meals provided 42,093 nights of shelter provided 140 Life Learning residents served 95 community homeless housed or stabilized 44 formerly homeless employed 149 enrolled in adult learning centers 1,112 children served To learn more, visit lighthousemin.org and see what Giving Hope that Changes Lives looks like!