LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES INC

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. 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 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 65 children in 2024.

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 326 individuals and families and housed 41 individuals and families in 2024.