Lighthouse Ministries, Inc.
Giving Hope that Changes Lives!
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Men's Gospel Rescue Mission
The Lighthouse Ministries Men's Rescue Mission is equipped to serve the homeless and at-risk in West Central Florida and houses our Men's residential program as well. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. daily. During their stay, there is an evening chapel service where local pastors share the gospel message. All are served a hearty snack, a hot dinner and breakfast, a new change of clothes and a bed to sleep in during their stay. There is no charge for the first three visits at our Rescue Mission monthly. The fee is $7/nightly after that, however dinner and chapel services are served at no charge. Women and children are welcome to attend our chapel service and dinner, but only men may stay overnight. Counseling is available. Photo identification is required to check in. There is no drinking, drug use, or cursing allowed on campus. Each guest is allowed to store two (2) bags in the baggage room for the evening, but they must be taken with them upon leaving.The mission is open 365 days a year.
Success Shelter Life Learning Program
The Residential Recovery Programs provide shelter, education to provide Next Steps including GED or High School Diploma, College, vocational, certification and employment placement opportunities beginning with our Employment Internship Phase. Recovery includes wrap around services including preschool, Lighthouse Xtreme Kid’s Club, employment, transportation, Pastoral counseling, Licensed Mental Health Counseling, Bible training, and personal budgeting and savings instruction for independent living.
Lighthouse programs follow four “Pathways of Progress” through (1) Spiritual Growth, (2) Community, (3) Industry, and (4) Education. The Lakeland Recovery Life Learning campus, includes 20 beds for men, as well as 53 beds for women in their children, 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.
Community Preschool and KIDcare Program
As women and children come into the program, Lighthouse strives to give both parties the best care we can. Most children have endured years of inconsistency, instability, and, in many cases, abuse and neglect. Most moms have no child-raising skills or role models to guide them through the difficult task of motherhood. Children five-years-old and younger will attend the Lighthouse Ministries Community Preschool. Here, they will learn comprehensive skills, regain balance, and experience love and support from an experienced staff.Older children will attend a local school during the day followed by our KIDcare After-School Program. KIDcare provides counseling, pediatric care, case management, academic tutoring and training, and peer interaction. Additionally, families are encouraged to join group and church activities as a way for the family to connect with each other and other families. Group activities often include trips to local museums, theme parks, etc..
Education/Career Learning Center
Over the past several years Lighthouse Ministries has been working hard to upgrade the Adult Learning Center in many ways. Offering customized Biblically integrated lesson plans, the Work Life program, Faith & Finances training, as well as an increased focus on assisting those who need to get their GED.
We have partnered with The Chalmers Center to provide Faith and Finances and Work Life Training for our residential clients.
The Faith and Finances Course is designed for students who: are just starting out learning to manage money, don't have a lot of extra money to spare, desire to overcome financial obstacles, want to save more and pay off debt.
The Work Life Course provides instruction in: God’s design for work and for our lives, our roadblocks to employment and how to overcome them, our our strengths and abilities, workplace culture and how to thrive in it, how to create a great resume and other tools for cultivating a meaningful career.
Social Enterprise; Work Internship Program
Success Sheltering Life Learning Campus operates under Four Pathways to Progress: Spiritual, Community, Industry, and Education. The industry phase creates job opportunities for our residents. Work Interns will be evaluated weekly. At the end of 180 days of full-time employment, an evaluation will be made to determine if the intern should remain in this phase of the program or is ready to begin job seeking outside of the Lighthouse. Bench marks to be met: 180 days of paid work-internship; a budget with 80% of all disposable income going into a savings account for future housing needs, if applicable, and have saved a minimum of $3,500 - $5,000 to begin seeking outside employment. Servant Leadership (E.D.) continues to require the resident to account for their income and expenditures to monitor their saving/spending habits. At the end of 180 days an evaluation is made to remain in this phase or begin outside education with the chosen institution.
Community Homeless intervention
The successful Community Homeless Intervention Program at Lighthouse Ministries at both the Lakeland and Ministries Kimmins Family Campus in Ybor City aids 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, and experience Next Step Housing opportunities. This program provides dedicated case managers, resources and financial aid to prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless.
Lighthouse Extreme Kid’s Clubs
These clubs proactively reach kids by offering a safe place where they can come to play, eat and just hang out without fear of being picked on or left out. This is a place where leaders who care about them will really listen and share about God’s presence, power, and purpose in their lives, even in their most difficult situations.
Lighthouse Workforce Program
This program provides the support our residents need to move into permanent housing. While working a full-time job and saving appropriately for the future, this program leads the participants to the financial and emotional stability needed to be independent and move to permanent housing.
Where we work
Affiliations & memberships
CityGate Network Accredited Distinguished 2021
External reviews
Photos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of people reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Age groups
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Lighthouse Ministries would like to assist in eliminating homelessness, poverty and improve lives through our various programs for individuals as well as the community so they can become self-sufficient and employed or stay employed. In cases where men, women, and mothers with children were previously torn apart due to poor choices or circumstances through our Success Shelter Life Learning Campus we teach them to become self-sufficient through support, education, training and strengthening the men, women and mothers with children. This impacts the entire family unit as well as the community.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Form an advisory leadership circle in the business community so we can stay in touch with what is going on around Lighthouse. Executive Director to meet with community leaders who are well connected and willing to promote Lighthouse Ministries to search for supporters to grow the operations. Create a business plan for additional land and building to expand our social enterprise through our Thrift Store operations. Prepare a feasibility study for viability of expansion. Evaluating programs, progress and success is important to ensure that our facilities and staff are being used wisely. Each resident is assigned a case manager who is responsible for addressing issues or areas in need of growth. We have four paths for progress: 1. The Spiritual pathway is nurtured through regular church attendance and membership, Bible study classes, and Christian mentorship. Each resident is taught the importance of a daily moral inventory and developing an intimate relationship with God. 2. Residents are also taught to live as a productive member of society (Community). Everyone is encouraged to give back to the ministry through their service in on-campus ministries, which includes duties at the thrift shops, kitchen, preschool, maintenance, and janitorial assignments. They also learn to live as part of a community through their relationships with the other residents, staff, and volunteers. 3. The Industry phase creates job opportunities for our residents. After six-eight months of residency, they are eligible to enter our Internship program. During this time, they are required to save 80% of their income so that when they are ready to complete the program, they are capable of being financially stable, ending the cycle of homelessness in their life. They are also required to pay restitution, child support, and any additional outstanding bills as part of their program. 4. The Education pathway provides our residents the opportunity to earn their GED, enhance their memorization and learning skills, prepare for future employment, and work on computer skills. Monthly case plan meetings are set up between staff and residents in order to monitor a resident's progress throughout the recovery program. The case plan meetings give residents the opportunity to develop their goals for the program. It is a time of affirmation for residents as they speak with staff and receive the accountability, encouragement, and direction they need to continue in recovery. Life coaches help develop behavioral and problem solving techniques as the residents work toward the vision of God's peace, life purpose, and fulfillment of potential. Additional courses are required during the rehabilitation program. They include: Celebrate Recovery, Family Integrity Training (Anger Management, Relationships, Economics, Decision Making, Personal Integrity, Parenting) Bible Study and Internship.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Lighthouse Ministries has been providing hunger relief, emergency crisis and rehabilitation since 1977. To help eliminate poverty and improve the lives we serve it takes the financial contributions and experience of many. Each program allows our mission statement to come to life. Lighthouse Ministries does not accept any government funding and is solely supported by individuals, corporations, churches, foundations and our thrift store operations. We have approximately 82 staff members and 500 volunteers throughout the year that help accomplish the programs and services mentioned above. Our budget is just under $4 million. We have relationships with numerous individuals, businesses and churches in West Central Florida that provide financial support, in-kind donations and volunteer hours.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Our goals were to reduce poverty; which can be done through social enterprise. We stand firm on the belief that it is possible to do so by using our four pathways to progress. 1. Spiritual - Last year 238 male and female residents and 41 residential children were served in our residential Success Shelter Life Learning Campus where the residents learn and live by the Four Pathways to Progress. Matthew states "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well". Take responsibility of your actions every day. Self Check: "Attitude" "Attitude" "Attitude". Focus on your character; integrity, truth, compassion, accountability, discipline and unity.2. Community - Last year over 3,000 food boxes were distributed to individuals and families in need, which totals to about 45,197 meals. Have integrity, restore & make reconciliation in relationships. Be what you want others to see, be a reflector. Look for opportunity to serve.3. Industry-Last year, 38 residents received full-time employment within the ministry in areas such as hospitality, production, media, and retail. Your work is worship as unto the Lord; work to become a Servant Leader; be a problem-solver, not a problem announcer; do your best and leave the rest up to God.4. Education -Last year, 43 residents enrolled in the education program, with a total of 22 graduates. Take advantage of opportunity to learn wherever you are. "Bloom where you are planted."; be a student of people, learn from experiences of others; validate what you are told; be teachable. Our vision is for those individuals we serve to achieve an overall outcome of God's peace, life purpose and fulfillment of potential. Our Core Values are Jesus Christ, Truth, Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Discipline and Unity. From when the residents come in the door until they become an intern 6-8 months later; just seeing the life changes based on Mission, Vision and Core Values is amazing let alone personal growth through case management. We have a Servant Leadership meeting weekly with staff and interns and have seen unity and growth through this process. We are branching this meeting out into groups to discuss the progress of various programs and where there is little to no growth, discuss ideas how we can turn this around.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Lighthouse Ministries, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 02/23/2023
Ashley Troutman
Northwestern Mutual
Term: 2021 - 2023
Dave Wickenkamp
"Retired"
Gina Saunders
Retired Educator
Jeff Stephens
Publix Super Markets Retired
Ashley Troutman
Financial rep. Northwestern Mutual
Chris McLaughlin
Owner Smart Realty of Polk, Inc.
Jeff Cook
Custom Fabrications, President
Trafenia Salzman
CEO Sittadel Cybersecurity
Kyle Jensen
Lawyer Clark, Campbell, Lancaster & Munson
Brian Bracey
SVP, Citizens Bank & Trust
Dianne Bishop
Owner Wilson Electric, The Lighthing Hut, Retired
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as: