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“I knew I could make a better life for myself;
I knew I had it in me – I just needed the right
people in my life to make it happen.”
When the day finally came for his release in February of this year,
Ryan knew exactly what he needed to do. “I needed a place to stay,
I needed a job, and I needed to go back to school – I just needed a
little help.”
Last year at this time, Ryan was preparing for a new lease on life – he
was nearing his release date and he knew that he wouldn’t get another
chance at life again. This time, things would have to be different.
“In 2005, I had a bad drug problem and I got into some trouble and I
was sentenced to 8 ½ years in prison. I wasn’t thinking about my future
at the time, but as you can imagine, 8 ½ years is a long time to refocus
on priorities.”
At Lighthouse, Ryan was assisted by Dave Dudek, a Lighthouse
Emergency Services intern. From the beginning, Dave was there
to help with more than just meeting his basic needs. According to
Ryan, “Dave helped me work on basic goals, create a resume, and
follow-up on job leads. He really helped keep me focused.”
During his incarceration, Ryan attended church and Narcotics Anonymous and also participated in Christian-based groups. He stayed
connected with his family, but he knew that relationship would need
work once he was released. He also thought about life after his release
and began researching local organizations that could help him get on
the right track.
According to Dave, “Lighthouse helps a lot of different kinds of
people every day and sometimes we are the only ones available to
help when they need it the most. In this case, Ryan knew where he
wanted to be, he was already determined and motivated – I just
helped him stay focused so he could achieve the little goals each
week offered. Through Lighthouse, we were able to make sure
he had the help he needed to succeed.”
“I got myself into this situation and I was determined to figure out
how to make a life for myself on my own. I wanted to become a better
person and I wanted to prove to others that I could be a better version
of myself.” With the help of local programs, Ryan began his job search
and found a place to rent; unfortunately he didn’t have enough money
saved to move in. Without losing hope, he knew where he could turn
for support, become a better person, and prove to others that he could
be a better version of himself. “I heard about Lighthouse when I was in
prison and from other local agencies. I went there for help with my first
month’s rent, but I didn’t realize that Lighthouse could help me with so
much more.”
After only four months after his release, Ryan started college and
completed his first semester with a 3.85 GPA. His goals are soon
becoming a reality and this is certainly not anything he takes for
granted. “I also found a great job but it didn’t come easy – I was
told “no” hundreds of times before one said yes. Through this job,
I’m getting training and will hopefully continue to move up the
ladder toward success. I’m very grateful to Lighthouse as they
help me on this journey.”
;
A Message
from Mark Tomlinson
Chair, Board of Trustees
After nearly 10 years of service as the CEO of
Lighthouse, John Ziraldo has stepped down. This
decision was made in consultation and with
support from the Lighthouse Board of Trustees.
Our Clarkston and Pontiac offices have already
begun our traditional outreach to over 1200
families to ensure a joyous Thanksgiving, Christmas,
and holiday season. We welcome the continued
support of donors who have been faithful in their
generosity to those less fortunate.
We are proud of the accomplishments obtained
during John’s tenure. The Trustees have begun the
transition process for the next leader of Lighthouse.
During this period of transition, the current staff
directors will continue to manage the day-to-day
activities of Lighthouse of Oakland County, the
single largest county non-profit provider of services
to families in crisis.
As supporters of Lighthouse of Oakland County,
please know that we will continue to provide
quality service to our clients and to the
community. Thank you for your past support and
I look forward to an ongoing partnership.
Our agency will continue in its mission of moving
families from crisis to self-sufficiency with programs
such as Lighthouse PATH, the Center for Working
Families, and the LIFE program. All are helping
families achieve greater financial stability.
Mark Tomlinson
Chair
Lighthouse of Oakland County Board of Trustees
Thank you to our generous Lighthouse supporters!
BECAUSE
OF
YOU!
Currently 55 families are enrolled in Lighthouse PATH, including 107 children who would
otherwise be living in shelters or on the street.
200 individuals recently participated in counseling or workshops to increase employment
skills through Lighthouse Center for Working Families and as a result, 66 secured employment.
We are true to our mission of being dedicated to self-sufficiency. Lighthouse Emergency
Services works to ensure that more than 125 seniors remain independent, in their homes, and
connected to the community.
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Make holiday dreams come
true for 500 local families.
Visit LighthouseOakland.org
and click on the home page
Adopt-a-Family
green icon:
Adopt-aFamily
It’s that simple!
And you are able to select the
family of your choosing.
If you prefer to speak to one of our program volunteers, call the holiday office at 248.972.1497.
PATH Annual Family Picnic
The families living at our transitional housing facility, Lighthouse PATH, enjoyed an end of summer picnic.
Volunteers from Cross of Christ performed face painting, and helped get the PATH grounds all spruced up
for the big day. The children had a great time and moms enjoyed a break from their daily schedules of work,
school, and program workshops. Lighthouse board members, staff, and volunteers helped in a variety of roles
that all contributed to a very special day for our families. Nearly 100 children six weeks to six years began
their early education experience
under the caring guidance of PATH’s
education team.
86% of the clients increased wages
after one year and at discharge.
100% reported an increase in selfsufficiency scores after one year and
at discharge.
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Lend a Helping Hand
Volunteering with Lighthouse is a great way
to learn about our work. We offer excellent
team building opportunities that are fun,
engaging, and educational. Volunteers will walk
away with knowledge about Lighthouse, our
mission to help those less fortunate in
Oakland County, and a clear understanding of
the impact of their hard work.
We provide an exceptional, well organized,
meaningful community service experience for
groups and offer projects that accommodate
group sizes as small as five and as large as 50.
Here’s how you can help:
Holiday Helpers - Help fill shifts during the Thanksgiving program from November 1425 from 9:00am to 4:00pm or during the Holiday Adopt-a-Family program at All Saints
Episcopal Church in Pontiac December 4-16 from 8:30am to 4:00pm.
Pantry - Help pack food for hungry families. Shifts are M-F 8:30am to 12:30pm and
Noon to 4:00pm. Some lifting of heavy boxes and pushing of carts required.
Drivers - Drivers are needed to transport families to and from doctor’s appointments,
grocery stores, job interviews, and for picking up the much needed in-kind donations.
Home Rehab - We need teams of 8 to paint and conduct minor home repairs as we
help settle homeless mothers and children into safe and secure places to live.
Children’s Services - Make a difference in the life of a young learner in our infant and
toddler program and Montessori Preschool. Shifts are M-F 8:00am to 12:30pm and
12:30pm to 6:00pm. Background checks are required.
Administrative Support - Experienced volunteers are needed to provide front desk
support at PATH. Shifts are M-F 9:00am - 1:00pm and 1:00pm - 5:00pm.
2015 Kroger Bringing Hope to the Table Food and Funds Drive - On January 24 & 25
volunteer teams are needed to collect food at the 3600 W Maple at Lahser Kroger.
To learn more or to volunteer call 248.972.1480 or email [email protected].
Thanks to the groups who
recently volunteered at
Lighthouse:
Bosch
Boston Consulting
BorgWarner
Brother Rice
Catholic Heart Camp
Chrysler
Cross of Christ
DTE
Easter Seals
Emerson Church
Ford
General Motors
Home Depot
Job Link
Mann-Hummel
Notre Dame Prep
Plante Moran
Rochester Presbyterian Youth Group
Seaholm High School
Seco Tools
Voice of Truth Youth Group
YMCA North Oakland
Woodside Youth
Does your child need
community service hours?
•Pantry work during the week from
8:30am to 4:00pm on school breaks
•Weekend food drive in January
•Outdoor yard work (depending on
season during the week from
8:30am to 4:00pm on school breaks)
•Help at our Hunger Walk and Stamp
Out Hunger events in May 2015
(check website in early 2015 for
details)
1st ever NextGen All Star awarded
to Calen Knight, student at
Hamilton Elementary
Calen Knight is the first winner of the Lighthouse NextGen All Stars award. This award
showcases the volunteer work of non-adults who show leadership in the next
generation by exemplifying a commitment to the people we serve at Lighthouse. Calen
began organizing toy drives when she was seven years old. That initial interest has
evolved to her leading school-wide drives, enlisting the help of her fellow students and
staff at Hamilton Elementary School in Troy who donated food, coats, gloves, and other Calen Knight receives the first NextGen All Star
warm clothing for Lighthouse’s work in helping families in need. Congratulations to
award as Lighthouse staff and fellow classmates
Calen, who was honored with an award at her school earlier this year.
look on.
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CLARKSTON WOLVES RUSH FOR FOOD and SCORE WINNING
RESULTS TO HELP FEED LOCAL FAMILIES!
Pictured from left: Kurt Richardson, Head
Varsity Coach, Clarkston High; Michele
Robinson, Senior Specialist/Volunteer
Coordinator, Lighthouse Clarkston; Priscilla
Perkins, Lighthouse Chief Development
Officer; Mike Robinson, Lighthouse Volunteer.
Your Help
is Needed
For the 17th year, the defending state
champion Clarkston High School football
team held its annual late summer food drive
“Rush for Food” for the Lighthouse Clarkston
pantry. This year was another record breaking
success, as the drive brought in 7,463 pounds of
food for the families we serve in north Oakland
County. The Varsity and JV football players (with help
from the cheerleaders) set the example for the
community by donating over 3,000 pounds of food
from their own homes! Thanks to all in the Clarkston
community who supported another incredible Rush
for Food this year.
Now is the time to make your year end donation dollars
count more...and at the time our families need
Lighthouse’s help the most!
Ford Motor Company Fund has partnered with Lighthouse and is offering a $50,000
matching gift, which means that for every dollar you donate to Lighthouse this holiday
season, they will give another 50% this holiday season! The need is even greater this
year and we need you to provide hope to even more than the 10,000 families we served
last year.
Lighthouse + Ford + YOU will make the difference in the lives of those we serve.
Make your donation online at LighthouseOakland.org or call 248.972.1493.
Your Donation is
TAX DEDUCTIBLE!
Lighthouse of Oakland County
is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3)
charitable organization, which
means that your donation is tax
deductible if you itemize deductions
on your tax return. What does this
mean for you? Your donation to
Lighthouse will cost less than the
amount you actually donate.
(see your tax advisor)
Lighthouse Career Dress changes lives with a change of clothing
Since 2003 the Lighthouse Career Dress program has been outfitting low income
women throughout Oakland County with professional clothing and accessories for
employment interviews. Over 3,600 women have been assisted since the program
began.
One of the very unique features
of this program is that it’s
operated solely by volunteers.
They not only make sure that
our clients look great, they also
listen and help build the much
needed self-esteem that empowers our clients to succeed.
Women who are actively pursuing employment come to
Career Dress for interview clothing, shoes, undergarments,
outerwear, accessories, and a hand bag. After securing
employment, Career Dress is able to provide at least two
additional complete work outfits. On average, Career Dress
helps 40 to 50 women a month feel confident when they go
on an interview.
The program is successful also because of the generosity of
those who donate gently used and new items to the program.
To learn more about Career Dress or to make a donation call
248.920.6000, ext. 2237.
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Lighthouse Society “Page 6”
Hunger Walk 2014 was a huge success raising $75,000 to help
support the Lighthouse food pantry and our emergency services
programs. Many volunteers helped from start to finish ensuring
everyone had a great time at the 32nd annual walk. Thank you to all
who supported this year’s Hunger Walk.
For information on how you or your group can become involved in the
2015 Hunger Walk, email [email protected] or call
248.972.1480.
Special thanks to our 2014 Hunger Walk Sponsors:
98.7 Amp Radio
AuPair Care
Robin J. Adams
Blue Cross Blue Shield of MI
BorgWarner
Brandon Twp. Parks & Rec
Buckles & Buckles PLC
CBS 62 & CW50
FedEx Ground
Genisys Credit Union
Randall & Patricia Gudme
Salute America 2014 - This annual event celebrated the journey from
homelessness to self-sufficiency of the more than 2500 children and over
1000 mothers that have completed the women’s transitional housing
empowerment program. Honorees included: The Honorable James J.
Blanchard, Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Michigan Governor, and
U.S. Representative; Rhonda Walker, founder of the Rhonda Walker
Foundation, and WDIV Local 4 Morning News Anchor; and 100+ Women
Who Care Motown featuring founders Karen Rashid Balow, Nancy Sullivan,
and Molly Williams.
100+ Women Who
Care Motown
founders from left:
Karen Rashid-Balow;
Nancy Sullivan;
Molly Williams
Special thanks to our 2014 Salute America Sponsors:
Anonymous
Churchill’s Bistro Cigar Bar
Laurie & Thomas Cunnington
Jennifer & Jeff Farber
Teri Fenner
Flagstar Bank
Carol Friend & Mark Kilbourn
Patty & C.J. Ghesquiere
Nancy & Dr. Lary Goldman
Deborah & William Grace
Georgia & James Holevas
Kienbaum, Opperwall,
Hardy & Pelton
Dr. Gilbert Ladd
Lear Corporation
Sonja Lengnick & Mark Chutnow
Mad Dog Technology
MGM Grand
Andrea & George Peck
PNC Bank
PNC Foundation
Raymond James Birmingham
Betty & Mike Raphtis
Ronald Rashid
Gay Ann Schirs
Theodore Snider
Somerset Collection
Rebecca & Richard Sorensen
Diane & Mark Tomlinson
UBS Financial Services
£
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From left:
Rhonda Walker,
founder Rhonda
Walker Foundation;
The Honorable
James J. Blanchard
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Hour Detroit Magazine
James & Jeannine Lambrecht
Chris & Elizabeth Liparoto
Dana Locniskar & Christine Beck
Oakland Community College
Oakland Press
Plante Moran
Raymond James & Associates
St. Joseph Mercy Oakland
Transamerica Capital, Inc.
Woodlands Mobile Home Estates
Æ
Corporate Matching Gifts:
Give the Gift of Hope
You have the power to double your donation through your company’s matching gift program. Matching gift
programs are charitable giving programs set up by corporations in which the company matches donations
made by employees to eligible nonprofit organizations such as Lighthouse of Oakland County.
Did you know that some employers will match your charitable donation?
Check with your Human Resources Department to see if your employer will match your
donation. It has the potential to double or sometimes even triple your gift to Lighthouse.
Go to LighthouseOakland.org and click on the Donate link to find out if your company has an employee
Matching Gifts Program.
Salute America 2014 raises more than $100,000 for the
families residing at Lighthouse PATH
Volunteers and staff at Lighthouse of Oakland County raised more than $100,000 at their 11th annual event held
June 27, 2014 at Oakland Hills Country Club. “We’ve broken a record with this 11-year old event,” said Priscilla
Perkins, Chief Development Officer.” Thirteen thousand dollars ($13,000) will be allocated to remodel 18 units of
the 23 year old Lighthouse PATH kitchens.
The children from PATH
trick or treat at Lighthouse
on Halloween.
More than 200 guests and sponsors contributed to this
success, and all proceeds benefit the Lighthouse PATH
program, which helps prevent women and their children from
homelessness through a rigorous two-year process that takes
them from crisis to self-sufficiency.
Salute America honored fellow Americans who have done
much to help alleviate poverty in Michigan. A highlight
included Governor James Blanchard’s inspiring talk about
his experience being raised by his social worker mother who
instilled in him the need to lead by example. His call to action
included an appeal to citizens to get involved now. Other
honorees included Rhonda Walker of the Rhonda Walker
Foundation, and 100+ Women Who Care Motown.
Our moms’ moving story of gratitude, achievement, and hope
inspires everyone,” said Perkins. “Many are employed and
are preparing for their GEDs or completing college degrees.
We anticipate bright futures for our residents.”
Special thank you to Honorary Co-Chairs Debbie and The
Honorable John Dingell, Danialle and Pete Karmanos, and
Event Co-Chairs Laurie Horvath and Rebecca Sorensen for
their tremendous work on the event.
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NONPROFIT
AUTO
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
ROYAL OAK, MI
PERMIT 850
PO Box 430508
Pontiac, MI 48343-0508
LighthouseOakland.org
Stay Connected:
Facebook/Twitter/YouTube
For all the latest event news and information visit
LighthouseOakland.org or call 248.972.1493.
Upcoming events ....
Open Your Heart
February 5, 2015
Save the Date! Saturday • May 2, 2015
Look for a new event
featuring Local Brews and
Local Menus at the
Rochester Mills Production
Brewery
(beer tasting, fun music, and
great recipes from some of
our local chefs)
June 19, 2015!
Check for details at
LighthouseOakland.org
33rd Annual
Hunger Walk
5K Fun Run/Walk
Walking to end hunger...
One step at a time.
Details coming soon at LighthouseOakland.org
The new Open Your Heart event at
the Auburn Hills Rochester Mills
Production Brewery on February
5th from 6pm to 9pm needs
greeters, registration help, silent
auction assistants, coat checkers,
clean up help, etc.
Help from groups is needed at our Hunger
Walk and Stamp Out Hunger events in
May 2015 (check website in early 2015
for details)
To volunteer for Lighthouse events
call 248.972.1480.
The Salute America
event in Bloomfield Hills
on June 19th from 6pm
to 9pm needs greeters,
registration help, silent
auction assistants, clean
up help, etc.
Lighthouse of
Oakland County
Board of Trustees
Lighthouse
Community Development
Board
Lighthouse
Emergency Services
Board
Lighthouse
PATH
Board
Mark Tomlinson, Chair
Dennis Winkler, Vice Chair
Dean Rocheleau, Treasurer
Patty Ghesquiere, Secretary
Eirther Seay-Bey, President
Ken Peterson, Secretary
John Townsend, President
Laura Light, Vice President
Matt Szalach, Treasurer
Neran Shaya, Secretary
Teri Fenner, President
James Lambrecht, Vice President
Brian Rhonemus, Secretary
Susan Cooper, Emeritus
Teri Fenner
Beth Grossman
Laurie Horvath
Sue Nine
Robin Schirs
Eirther Seay-Bey
John Townsend
Kone Bowman
Peter Durham
Larry Goss
Cassandra Moore
Cynthia Pearson
Matthew Schwanitz
Dr. Bruce Turpin
Sharman Davenport, Ph.D.
Vice President of Programs
Jackie Buchanan
Jennifer Cobb
Randall Gudme
Jonathan Heierman
Noreen McKillop
John Wright
Wilma Abney
Executive Director
Sally Drummond
Sonja Lengnick
Robin Schirs
Monica Schwanitz
Sharman Davenport
Vice President of Programs, Ph.D.
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