From today's TIMES and NEWS-STAR
At
our best, we serve “the least of these.”
Such
a belief and a hope has been the power behind a quarter-century of sweet illumination
from LightHouse.
The
short word for what LightHouse is would be a “program,” but programs are run by
people, this one by people who believe that by shining a light on children in
gloomy places, a full life is both given and received.
LightHouse
lists as its goals “educational achievement, economic self-sufficiency and
productive citizenship,” and its aim is the hundreds of families in some of
Shreveport and Bossier City’s poorest neighborhoods. Education, LightHouse
believes, is the way out of poverty. So with tutors and volunteers and
coordinators to organize and encourage, LightHouse has suddenly turned 25 years
old, a silver anniversary worth celebrating as it’s been an underrated gold
mine for the area.
Plans
are ongoing for a “formal” September celebration to mark when LightHouse, which
had its beginnings in 1986, became a part of Volunteers of America in 1989. When
the schedule is finalized and publicized, be aware: this might be your chance
to investigate LightHouse and, if you haven’t already, help light the way for another
of the more than 600 children and families it’s touched.
“We’re
always in need of daily tutors who want to help with homework or reading,” said
Tricia Jowell, LightHouse community development director. “We especially need
male mentors; a lot of our children are being raised by single-parent moms.”
“Each
volunteer represents ‘attention’ that can be given to students,” said program
coordinator Bailee Winterrowd. “It’s simply awesome to watch a student enjoy
the presence of a volunteer or mentor.”
What’s
in it for you? Winterrowd thinks you’ll be surprised. She was. She found out
why she was involved when she heard an interview on National Public Radio. An interviewee
explained how his profession as a judge gave him “the opportunity to exercise
compassion and patience,” the judge said, “something I may not be fabulous at,
but I get the chance to practice every day.”
“My
position at the LightHouse requires I practice such qualities – I need
patience!” Winterrowd said. “I am confident I am here only because God is being
gracious with me.”
She’s
been with LightHouse only a year. In her first six months, she’d already seen newer
LightHouse students pull multiple grades of F in school up to B’s in just one
grading period. She’s seen drastic changes for the better in behavior. “I’ve seen
fifth-grade boys really take pride in their writing and in finishing a long
book,” she said, and illustration of little things that become big things, like
diplomas.
Coming
back for the “reunion” in September will be many college graduates, “gobs of
them!’ said Sondra Dixon, who’s worked with the LightHouse for 23 years. Excitement
seems to be the default tone of anyone who has invested in “the LightHouse
kids.”
Don
Webb is a former interim pastor at First United Methodist of Shreveport, where
the program began. He’s wondered at times what might happen if Jesus came back
to town today. Would he see the homeless sheltered, the distraught comforted,
the hurting healed?
“I
believe He would come to the LightHouse, and find Himself at home there,” Webb
said. “For He’d know what’s going on. He’d see faith at work, and feel the
care; and He’d know the blessings in the faces of the children.
“What
happens in the LightHouse is a win-win-win situation,” Webb said. “Christ’s heart
is made glad that this work of active love makes so many whole and happy; the
servant-leaders are made glad, in doing what they were born for and are finding
joy in; and best of all, the children are made glad, as they are loved, and
lifted to new levels of life.”
If
that sounds over-the-top, you’ve never been either to a LightHouse graduation
or to any of LightHouse’s six sites. Try it, or try to make one of the
anniversary-week get-togethers. As it does for children, LightHouse will
brighten your life.
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