Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
BEACON OF HOPE
Lighthouse: Organization offers youth a ‘welcoming place to go’
For decades, the Lighthouse Youth Center has empowered generations to seize the day.
Instead of being alone after-school, youth in Oxford have had a welcoming place to go.
The Lighthouse, home to a team of volunteers, offers children and teens a wide spectrum of fun activities to enjoy after-school — from art and music to sports like basketball and soccer — there’s also homework assistance.
The Lighthouse also provides youth with food.
Despite its affluency, Chester County is also a place where “people experience food insecurity and real hunger,” according to Terry Vodery, chief executive officer, of United Way of Southern Chester County, as previously reported.
Now this upcoming spring, the Oxford Regional Chamber of Commerce is honoring the Lighthouse during its annual awards dinner dance on April 6 at the Barn of Nottingham in West Nottingham Township. Tickets are still available.
“The Lighthouse has never wavered from its core mission of serving the youth of Oxford through the love of Christ,” said state Rep. John Lawrence, R-13th, of West Grove.
“Since 1988, volunteers and staff have offered after-school programs, homework help, sports leagues, and hot meals to any student who shows up,” the state representative said.
“All of this comes from the generosity of churches and community members who quietly donate time and money to fully fund the Lighthouse’s annual budget, many of them anonymously,” Lawrence said. “The Lighthouse and its impact on the community is one of the reasons Oxford is such a great place to live.”
“The work done by the Lighthouse and other youth organizations demonstrates the power of community coming together to support young people, students, and teens,” said State Senator Carolyn Comitta, D-19th, of West Chester.
“When a devastating fire tore through downtown Oxford last year, the Lighthouse was one of the many local organizations that stepped up to help impacted families,” Comitta said.
“I’m grateful for all the youth centers and organizations working to create stronger, healthier, and more caring communities in Chester County and the surrounding region,” the state senator said. She serves on both the Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee and the Pennsylvania Senate Aging and Youth Committee.
Micah Lehman, Lighthouse executive director, named supporting the Oxford fire victims as one of the top milestone moments the organization achieved in 2023. Last September, the center served as a hub for displaced residents who gathered at the Lighthouse as their journey to rebuild their lives began.
Leham lauded additional significant moments this past year including when 21
Lighthouse youth successfully graduated from high school and when 43 youth who earned top grades — all As and Bs on their report cards — attended a special reward trip.
Leham began his role as executive director of the Lighthouse in June.
As Lawrence noted, the Lighthouse opened in 1988. Prior to moving to 245 Commerce Street, the Lighthouse was based at 47 S. 3rd St., now home to Wholly Grounds Coffeehouse.
Since 1988, Lighthouse has mentored thousands of young people.
“The Lighthouse didn’t officially start keeping attendance records until 2015, Leham noted. Since then, “1,022 different youth have enrolled in Lighthouse programs,” he said. This includes 321 youth enrolled in 2023.
The crux of the Lighthouse, a para-church organization, is an operation based on kindness, compassion, love.
“The mission of the Lighthouse is to shine the light and love of Jesus Christ to Oxford area youth through our staff-directed, volunteer-supported center and programs,” Leham said.
Lighthouse programs are free and open to children and teens between the ages of nine through 18. Services are offered at no cost. Programs include after-school and summer recreation; art and music; Bible Study; daily devotions; daily snacks and meals; education-based activities; field trips; homework help; and a scholarship initiative to area colleges and trade schools.
Goals in 2024 for the Lighthouse, Leham said, include:
Continue to equip and empower youth with essential resources;
Connect new volunteers with Lighthouse youth programs; and
Construction of a new outdoor basketball court for youth programs.
Earlier this winter, during Christmas weekend, the Lighthouse — thanks to a team of volunteers and generous donors — delivered 50 meals to families facing financial hardship this past holiday season.
These Christmas meals went to registered youth and their families “who could use an extra blessing,” the executive director said. Each meal, donated and delivered in-person to each family on December 22, included a ham and sides such as mashed potatoes, vegetables, applesauce, rolls — and dessert.
This charitable endeavor occurs annually in Oxford.
“The generosity of the Oxford community is what makes this meal distribution possible,” Leham said. “Churches, businesses, and individuals all donated items.”
“We recognize that Christmas is often a hard time for many families,”
Leham stated. “And so, it is a blessing to partner with so many in the community to support others in practical
ways and shine the hope and love found in Jesus.
Folks can support the Lighthouse Youth Center
through donations and volunteerism.
“We are so thankful for the Oxford community and the many supporters who have partnered with the Lighthouse ministry,” Leham said.