The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Organizations educate those in need
Lighthouse Ministries presents Struggle 2 Hope event
Families and those seeking help with battles against drug addiction were educated on how to overcome their fight Sunday during a Struggle 2 Hope event.
Folks received health and fitness services while youngsters participated in carnival games.
The event was hosted by Lighthouse Ministries, 550 W 6th St. in Lorain, and food was provided by Gertz Culinary.
Members of the Lorain Fire Department attended the event with their fire trucks and lifted children to see inside.
Local craft, food and art vendors were also available to sell goods to guests.
Lorain resident William Skinner, chef of Gertz Culinary, held the event to give a hand to those who are struggling.
Skinner said he suffered with addiction, was homeless and found his way through faith, food and health and wellness.
He said he wanted to provide an event where those seeking help could easily receive it for free, while their children can play.
Youngsters played games and received free ice cream from K-Kream.
Skinner introduced healthy eating through a culinary demonstration with a farmer during the event.
He also invited Health and Fitness Coach Jackie Moujib to share her Herbalife Nutrition products and do a healthy juicing demonstration. Kyriece Brooks, community activist and creator of Lorain County Stop the Violence, spoke about creating a better community for the youth. He offered solutions on how to seek help and work as a community to make a change.
Skinner said he wanted to show people who feel they have no hope through his Struggle 2 Hope group, that no matter what they’ve been through, there is a way to change.
“People don’t really know food,” he said. “If people are educated on certain types, then I can educate them on others. If people are educated on that, I can educate them on basic produce and get them to understand the importance of food.”
Moujib said teaching nutrition and what people put in their bodies ultimately decides how one lives and feels along the course of life.
Skinner hopes guests can get inspired and use these moments as motivation to create a better life for themselves.
Brooks added there aren’t many events that provide free services, but they are important because others normally have a catch, but this event doesn’t.
“The volunteers and people here want to show you that you have a chance,” he said.
“The volunteers and people here want to show you that you have a chance.”
— Kyriece Brooks, community activist and creator of Lorain County Stop the Violence
Skinner said most of the people at the event have faced struggles and overcame them, and these people have a better chance to connect with someone who needs help and guide them.
Leah Bower, a ministry coordinator of Lighthouse Ministries, knew Skinner and wanted to help provide their space for the event.
Bower said the event is about “a hand up, not out. That’s our motive here at the church.”
Skinner said he only hopes to help educate and get people looking for help, back on their feet.