Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, individuals and families struggling with homelessness have turned to The Light House Homeless Prevention Support Center in record numbers. In fact, due to the COVID-19 crisis, during 2020, The Light House served roughly 40% more clients than a typical year.
Thanks to the love and support from their community, Light House staff have been able to meet this challenge head-on. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, their staff has put their whole hearts into getting the organization and those they serve through these troubled waters—helping plan and implement countless adjustments to their operations while also dealing with the dramatic increase in demand.
Light House staff have been seeing firsthand that the individuals and families who come through their doors are those hardest hit by this crisis. Most are also struggling with the difficult question of how to practice social distancing without a safe place to call home, and during these cold winter months, many are facing the additional threat of dangerously low temperatures. Through the many vital programs and services offered by The Light House, our
community’s most vulnerable neighbors have access to the food, shelter, case management, and hope they so desperately need.
In 2020 alone, The Light House:
- Distributed over 305,000 pounds of healthy pantry items to food-insecure neighbors through their drive-thru, walk-up, and mobile pantry.
- Provided over 80,000 meals to individuals and families struggling with homelessness and food insecurity.
- Provided emergency and transitional housing for 169 individuals, including 32 children.
- Successfully moved over 83 shelter residents and homeless community clients into safe permanent housing.
- Successfully prevented over 240 households at risk of losing their housing from becoming homeless, by providing homelessness prevention services through their Safe Harbour Resource Center.
Looking ahead to the uncertainty of 2021, the organization’s ability to continue its life-saving work will be determined by the support from our community. Together, we can continue to keep our struggling neighbors safe, warm, and on a path to stability and healing.