Note from the Director
This quarter has been a new beginning for us at Lighthouse Community Ministries. We ventured out on our own, and created our own website, social media presence, bank account, and budget. I started out this year with a lot of worry and anxiety of how everything was going to work, and if we were going to be able to stay open, and if we are really impacting people's lives like we hoped and prayed we were. But there are so many things in the past three months that have really encouraged me and given me joy.
One big highlight was Trunk or Treat. We decked out the building in all sorts of different Halloween themes, and invited families to walk through, collect candy, vote on best decorations, and enjoy a free meal. It was well attended with approximately 500 people, and it truly felt like a big block party, with such a great neighborhood vibe, and everyone having such a great time.
Another thing that has really encouraged me is the amount of people who come in and stop by because they heard of us from their friend, or social worker, or just at the bus stop. The word is spreading of everything going on here, and it is so awesome to see people out there spreading the news to their friends.
The last thing I loved this quarter was watching people embrace each other and step out of their comfort zones and normal social circles to include others, form new friendships, and help others out. Celebrating each other’s victories, and helping each other through their struggles; It truly is neighbors helping neighbors..
As we move forward I am reminded that we are all in this together, and that there will be hard days, and good days. There will be victories, and setbacks, but we will be here, shining our light out into the neighborhood, loving people where they are, and hopefully making someone's day just a little bit brighter.
Shanna Grigoletti
1. Bingo: Mondays 11:00am and 6:00pm
Monthly Average | Sept | Oct | Nov | I love seeing a lot of the same people every week, and forming friendships with many people who I wouldn't cross paths with on a normal basis. It has been such a great experience. I also think it is so great that people who don’t have a lot still come in and donate prizes to the table and have the desire to give back and support the program. |
Mon | 22 | 22 | 18 | |
Tues. | 27 | 30 | 24 |
2. Community Recovery
Monthly Average | Sept | OcT | Nov | Every week over a hundred people from around the city come to work on their recovery and learn more about God. A big majority of the people who come are homeless. This is such a great ministry that really loves all the people. They lost a great volunteer this quarter. Mama came every week to prepare the meal. She served until her last day and was such a blessing and light to the ministry. Please pray for them as they grieve their loss. | |
81 | 119 | 128 | |||
3. Cardio Kickboxing: Tuesdays 7:00pm
Monthly Average | Sept | Oct | Nov | We have had a few new sign-ups this quarter through our new website and social media. It has been fun to introduce kickboxing to some new people. They all seem to love it. We are now looking for a consistent child-care attendant so that more can attend. | |
7:00pm | 5 | 5 | 4 | ||
4, Walking Wellness: Tues/Thurs 9:00am
Monthly Average | Sept | Oct | Nov | Our group has stayed small and consistent, with a few extra people every now and then. For the core group of people, this is an essential way to help with their physical wellness and more importantly their mental health. Meeting up with friends and fresh air is just so good for the soul. | |
Tues. | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||
Thurs | 2 | 4 | 3 | ||
5. Yoga: Tues 11:00am & 6:00pm
Monthly Average | Sept | Oct | Nov | Our yoga class continues to grow! Our instructor Emily recently stopped teaching in Byron Center, and has brought some of her participants with her. We have also had a few new people sign up through our website and social media. We are looking for reliable child-care so we can offer it to more people. | |
11:00am | 6 | 9 | 9 | ||
6:00pm | 1 | 3 | 1 | ||
6. Kitchen Time: Thurs. 12:00pm
Monthly Average | Sept | Oct | Nov | This quarter we have seen more and more new people come to kitchen time. There is a group of ladies who would come to bingo consistently, who now have branched out and come to kitchen time and a few other activities. One of the ladies even stepped out of her comfort zone and taught us all how to make homemade egg rolls. It was a huge hit!! | |
12:00pm | 17 | 15 | 17 | ||
7. Financial Wellness: Once a Month Thurs. 10:30am
Monthly Average | Sept | Oct | Nov | Celeste has been consistently helping a few key people each month and is walking them through some financial counselling, that is really helping them get by day-to-day. They look forward to the once a month meeting every time. She was also able to sit down and help a new missionary family we are working with to make a plan for living and working in the mission field. |
10:30am | 2 | 2 | 3 |
8. Cooking for One
Weekly Average | 6 weeks | This is a new class through MSU Extension. It reaches a need for a lot of people who come into our center. Many are older and living alone on a fixed income, so this class has been helpful to them, and Gloria makes it a fun engaging atmosphere. |
4 |
9. Basketball: Tues & Sun 5:30pm
Monthly Average | Sept | Oct | Nov | I love how the guys who come to basketball are so helpful and eager to lend a hand. They are always willing to help us move tables and chairs, and work on setting up the gym for the next event once they are done playing. They don’t have to do this at all, but they want to and it is so awesome to see them reach out and help in this way. | ||
Sun | 16 | 17 | 19 | |||
Tues | 14 | 14 | 14 | |||
10.. Weds Night Dinners: Wednesdays 5:30pm
Monthly Average | Sept | Oct | Nov | At the start of the school year, we added a bounce house during dinner so the children could have a safe place to play when they were done eating. This has actually made it possible for us to engage and form new relationships with families who may have been coming for a while, but now, as their kids play, we are talking and getting to know each other more and more. | |
Wed | 119 | 177 | 143 | ||
11. Coffee Spot M-F 9:00am - 1:00pm
Monthly Average | Sept | Oct | Nov | This quarter I observed a couple of young moms get enfolded in the Coffee Spot community. As trusting relationships are formed, these women experience a sense of connection and support that breaks through some of the depression and stress that can come with raising children. It is great to see both their delight in their kids and their parenting skills grow. | |
65 | 62 | 70 | |||
12. Laundry Loads
Monthly Average | Sept | Oct | Nov | Laundromats are a significant expense for families on a fixed income. We repeatedly hear feedback expressing how helpful it is to have an affordable laundry option that allows people to budget their limited resources and meet their needs more effectively. | |
150 | 140 | 135 | |||
13. Food Truck: Every 4th Thursday - 5:00pm
Monthly Totals | Sept | Oct | Nov | We experimented this past Summer with offering 10,000 lbs of food each month. This went well and the extra food was helpful, so we are continuing to have this larger amount each month. Our emphasis is to be as hospitable as possible to everyone who attends. Many participants have expressed their appreciation for this hospitality. | |
183 | 193 | 159 | |||
shanna@calvarywy.org ● www.lighthousewy.org ● (616)528-4014