Lighthouse Ministries Inc

LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES, INC. IS SET APART BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD TO COMMUNICATE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TO MEET THE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND OTHER NEEDS OF THE POOR AND AT-RISK POPULATION.

RESIDENTIAL RESCUE AND RECOVERY PROGRAMS: LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES HAS BEEN PROVIDING SHELTER, MEALS, AND PROGRAM SERVICES FOR 46 YEARS. THE 139 SHELTER BEDS, IN THE SPRAWLING LAKELAND CAMPUS, INCLUDE 66 BEDS IN THE GOSPEL RESCUE MISSION FOR HOMELESS MEN, 53 BEDS FOR WOMEN IN THE RECOVERY LIFE LEARNING CAMPUS (ADDICTION RECOVERY), AND 20 ADDITIONAL BEDS FOR MEN IN RECOVERY. MANY OF THE LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES' CLIENTS ARE HARD TO REACH INDIVIDUALS - OFTEN WITH COMPLEX BARRIERS TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY - WHO, WITHOUT THIS AGENCY, MIGHT OTHERWISE BE FORGOTTEN OR LEFT BEHIND. BECAUSE POVERTY AFFECTS MANY ASPECTS OF A PERSON'S LIFE, WE PROVIDE RESOURCES TO OVERCOME THOSE OBSTACLES THROUGH MEETING THE BASIC NEEDS OF (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) FOOD, CLOTHING, AND SHELTER, AS WELL AS EDUCATION THROUGH OUR LIGHTHOUSE ADULT LEARNING CENTER PROGRAM, INTERNSHIP EMPLOYMENT, JOBS FOR LIFE TRAINING AND PREPARATION, AND PRESCHOOL FOR THE CHILDREN OF OUR RESIDENTS IN ADDITION TO THE COMMUNITY. LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES CREATES RESCUE AND RECOVERY ENVIRONMENTS FOR AT-RISK PEOPLE WE SERVE TO HAVE DIGNITY AND A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL. OUR END GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A COMPLETE CONTINUUM OF CARE WITH EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING. OUR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING SERVICES PROVIDE FOOD, CLOTHING, SHELTER, ADULT EDUCATION, FINANCIAL EDUCATION, CHILDCARE, AFTER-SCHOOL CHILDCARE, LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING (INCLUDING FAMILY COUNSELING), PASTORAL COUNSELING, TRANSPORTATION, EMPLOYMENT, CASE MANAGEMENT, AND REQUIREMENT TO SAVE UP TO $ 4,000 FOR THEIR MOVE-OUT EXPENSES. TRANSITIONAL CLIENTS ALSO PARTICIPATE IN A VARIETY OF IN-HOUSE EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL CLASSES TO HELP THEM FULFILL THEIR LIFE GOALS AND RETURN TO OUR COMMUNITY AS PRODUCTIVE AND CONTRIBUTING CITIZENS.OUR AGENCY ALSO PROVIDES SHELTER SERVICES FOR MEN, WOMEN, AND FAMILIES ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS. MEN, WOMEN, AND FAMILIES CAN COME IN FOR AS MANY NIGHTS AS NEEDED FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER. CLIENTS RECEIVE A SHOWER, CHANGE OF CLOTHES, CLEAN BED, DINNER, AND BREAKFAST. THEY LEAVE THE PROPERTY DURING THE DAY AND CAN RETURN IN THE EVENING.INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES WILL ENTER OUR SHELTERS THROUGH MANY GATEWAYS. OUR AGENCY ACCOMMODATES PEOPLE NEEDING SHELTER BY PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES FROM HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, POLK COUNTY, PASCO COUNTY, AND OTHER SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES TO OUR SHELTER FACILITIES IN LAKELAND. WE ALSO WORK WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & ANTI-SEX TRAFFICKING GROUPS TO GET VULNERABLE WOMEN & FAMILIES INTO SAFE SHELTER. WE HOUSE OVER 120 INDIVIDUALS NIGHTLY WHO COME FROM SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS WE HAVE HOUSED 474 MEN IN OUR RESCUE SHELTER, 61 MEN IN OUR RECOVERY SHELTER, 41 WOMEN AND 38 CHILDREN IN OUR FAMILY SHELTER. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 42,093 NIGHTS OF LODGING AND 104,886 MEALS. WE ALSO HAD 52 PEOPLE MAKE FAITH DECISIONS.OUR LIFE LEARNING CAMPUS PROVIDES SERVICES DRIVEN BY FOUR PATHWAYS: SPIRITUAL GROWTH, COMMUNITY, INDUSTRY, AND EDUCATION. MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS HAVE NOT RECEIVED THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA DUE TO VARIOUS REASONS AND NEED A HIGH SCHOOL REFRESHER COURSE TO IMPROVE THEIR MEMORY AFTER THEY COMPLETE OUR LEARNING SKILLS IMPROVEMENT COURSE. LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES HAS A SUCCESSFUL TRACK RECORD OF LIFTING THESE INDIVIDUALS FROM HOMELESSNESS AND INSTABILITY TO INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. AS PART OF THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE, WE REQUIRE ADULTS IN OUR LIFE LEARNING CAMPUS TO ATTAIN ESSENTIAL EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT: A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND/OR TAKE A REFRESHER COURSE; AND PREPAREDNESS FOR COLLEGE OR VOCATIONAL CERTIFICATION TRAINING. OUR RESIDENT STUDENTS DEVELOP THEIR MIND, OBTAIN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, AND MOVE FORWARD WITH VOCATIONAL AND COLLEGE TRAINING TO GIVE THEM A SPRINGBOARD FROM HOMELESSNESS AND INSTABILITY TO INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. WE HAVE SEEN MEASURABLE SUCCESS DURING 2023. WE HAD 39 RESIDENTS ENROLLED IN OUR ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM, OUR RESIDENTS COMPLETED 4,882 HOURS OF EDUCATION, AND A TOTAL OF 4 RESIDENTS EARNED THEIR GED, 70 RESIDENTS EARNED FLORIDA READY TO WORK CERTIFICATES, 14 RESIDENTS COMPLETED FAITH AND FINANCE COURSES, AND 14 RESIDENTS COMPLETED WORK LIFE COURSES. WE HAD 18 RESIDENTS PARTICIPATE IN OUR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, OUR RESIDENT INTERNS WORKED A TOTAL OF 14,448 HOURS, AND 8 RESIDENTS WENT ON TO RECEIVE FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT WITH LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 28 FORMERLY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS EMPLOYED AT LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES.APARTMENTS ARE BEING PLANNED FOR A VACANT PARCEL OF LAND AT OUR LAKELAND CAMPUS. THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY FUNDED AND IS AWAITING CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN IN 2024. THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE 5 RENTAL UNITS FOR FORMERLY HOMELESS FAMILIES. THIS PROJECT WILL ADD MOVEMENT FOR CLIENTS TRANSITIONING BACK INTO SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND A NEW FUTURE. THERE WILL BE 2 AND 3-BEDROOM APARTMENTS AVAILABLE TO PROGRAM GRADUATES AND/OR OTHER LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY.

HOMELESS INTERVENTION PROGRAMS: THROUGH OUR HOMELESS INTERVENTION PROGRAMS, DEDICATED CASE MANAGERS, RESOURCES AND FINANCIAL AID IS PROVIDED TO HELP PREVENT FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS FROM BECOMING HOMELESS. THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS WHEN POSSIBLE OR TO MINIMIZE THE AMOUNT OF TIME SOMEONE IS HOMELESS IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR HOMELESS INTERVENTION STAFF WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES CURRENTLY HOUSED TO MAINTAIN THEIR RESIDENCES OR GET THEM TO OUR SHELTERS. WE WORK IN THE FIELD, ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS OR FAMILIES IN PREVENTING THEIR HOMELESSNESS BY PAYING RENT OR UTILITY BILLS THAT MAY BE IN ARREARS AND ASSISTING WITH TRANSPORTATION. A NEW PASSENGER VAN WAS PURCHASED TO AID THE HOMELESS AND LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS SERVED WITH ACCESS TO OUR CAMPUS AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES SO THEY CAN FULLY ENGAGE IN THE FOUR PATHWAYS TO PROGRESS: SPIRITUAL GROWTH, COMMUNITY, INDUSTRY AND EDUCATION. WE ALSO WORK WITH OTHER LOCAL AGENCIES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PROVIDE HOMELESS PREVENTION SERVICES IN COLLABORATION WITH THESE AGENCIES.HOMELESS INTERVENTION PROGRAMS SERVED 410 INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AND HOUSED 95 INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN 2023.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS:OUR THRIFT STORES HOUSE OUR HOPE CENTERS THAT DISTRIBUTE FOOD BOXES TO INDIVIDUALS AS WELL AS LOCAL PARTNER AGENCIES, CHURCHES, AND CIVIC CLUBS. OTHER AGENCIES RECEIVE THESE FOOD BOXES FROM US FOR DISTRIBUTION TO INDIVIDUALS AT THEIR LOCATIONS TO EXPAND OUR REACH OUTSIDE THE HOPE CENTERS. THIS OUTREACH PROVIDES MATERIAL RELIEF TO THE POOR AND AT-RISK RESIDENTS BY WAY OF THESE FOOD BOXES THAT INCLUDE FOOD ITEMS FOR FOUR PEOPLE FOR FOUR DAYS. OUR GOAL IS TO OFFER ACCESSIBLE FOOD DISTRIBUTION 5 DAYS A WEEK TO ADDRESS THE MANY FOOD DESERTS LOCATED IN SPECIFIC NEIGHBORHOODS. IN ADDITION, OUR HOPE CENTERS OFFER MATERIAL AID SUCH AS CLOTHING, HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, FURNITURE, (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) AND REFERRALS FOR OTHER NEEDS. PARTNERING WITH OTHER AGENCIES, CHURCHES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WE SEEK TO DISTRIBUTE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THAT THEY REFER TO US.WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A LIFE LEARNING CENTER IN YBOR CITY THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP REQUEST WITH KIMMINS TERRIER FOUNDATION. THE NEW LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES KIMMINS FAMILY ADULT LEARNING CAMPUS HAS OPENED IN YBOR CITY. SINCE OPENING THEY HAVE BEEN ACCEPTING STUDENTS FOR ESOL AND ADULT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, AND COMPUTER SKILL TRAINING. THE CAMPUS IS ALSO A RESOURCE CENTER FOR JOB PLACEMENT AND FOOD BOXES. THE WORK IN THE YBOR CITY AREA WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD HEADSTART PROGRAM MADE KIMMINS AWARE OF THE NEED FOR ASSISTANCE TO THE FAMILIES OF THE HEADSTART PROGRAM. THE CENTER PROVIDES CASE MANAGEMENT FOR FAMILIES TO RECEIVE FOOD BOXES, CLOTHING, FURNITURE VOUCHERS, FREE OF CHARGE. ADDITIONAL CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES INCLUDE LIFE SKILLS, JOBS FOR LIFE TRAINING, RENAISSANCE STAR ASSESSMENTS FOR EDUCATION, GED/COLLEGE PREP, FAITH & FINANCES, LITERACY, ESOL CLASSES AND JOB REFERRAL PLACEMENTS. THESE ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE WELLBEING OF THESE FAMILIES.COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS SERVED 11,828 INDIVIDUALS IN 3,449 FAMILIES, PROVIDING 3,007 FOOD BOXES TOTALING 108,252 MEALS AND OVER 10,000 HOUSEHOLD ITEMS. COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS ALSO SAW 141 PEOPLE MAKE FAITH DECISIONS.

PRESCHOOL AND XTREME KID'S CLUBS:LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES OFFERS AN ACCREDITED COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL PROGRAM AT OUR LAKELAND CAMPUS AND AN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM CALLED LIGHTHOUSE KID'S CLUB AT 3 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY FOR BOTH RESIDENT AND COMMUNITY CHILDREN. LIGHTHOUSE KID'S CLUBS FACILITATE THE SUCCESSFUL RELATIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF DISADVANTAGED, AT-RISK CHILDREN IN LOCAL IMPOVERISHED NEIGHBORHOODS IN LAKELAND. OUR LIGHTHOUSE KID'S CLUBS PROACTIVELY REACH KIDS BY OFFERING THEM A SAFE PLACE WHERE THEY CAN COME TO PLAY, EAT, AND JUST HANG OUT WITH OTHER KIDS, WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING PICKED ON OR LEFT OUT. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)KIDS CAN SIT WITH LEADERS WHO CARE ABOUT AND WHO WILL REALLY LISTEN TO THEM, AND LEARN ABOUT GOD'S PRESENCE, POWER, AND PURPOSE IN THEIR LIFE, EVEN IN THE MOST DIFFICULT SITUATIONS. DAILY AFTERSCHOOL AND WEEKEND ACTIVITIES ARE DESIGNED FOR DEVELOPING SAFE AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENTS WITHIN THE CHILD'S NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE LOCAL ADULTS/PARENTS CAN VOLUNTEER TO HELP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE CHILDREN. OUR THREE LOCATIONS ARE WITHIN VERY LOW ECONOMIC AREAS WITH CHILDREN FROM DIVERSE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS. THE FAMILIES WE SERVE COULD BE REFERRED TO US IN A FEW WAYS: THROUGH OUR PROGRAM, TITLE 1 SCHOOLS WE WORK DIRECTLY WITH, AND DCF REFERRALS/FOSTER FAMILIES, CHURCHES AND VARIOUS AGENCIES AND MINISTRIES. LIGHTHOUSE KID'S CLUB STAFF ALSO PROVIDE REGULAR TOUCHES IN THE HOMES OF ALL THE CHILDREN IN THE CLUBS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, INCLUDING BOXES OF MONTHLY STAPLES FROM THE HOPE CENTERS. KID'S CLUB STAFF WORK WITH THE LIGHTHOUSE THRIFT STORE HOPE CENTERS TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND PRODUCTS TO THE FAMILIES IN THESE COMMUNITIES.THE COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL AND LIGHTHOUSE XTREME KID'S CLUBS ENROLLED 70 CHILDREN IN 2023.