LCDC NEWS
*LIGHTHOUSE ENTERPRISE ASSET DEVELOPMENT (LEAD) PROGRAM*
The Lighthouse Enterprise Asset Development program is dedicated to providing business planning assistance to low income residents in rural Mobile County. Our goal is to understand and meet the unique needs to develop microenterprises and create new job opportunities through asset development.
The initial effort was supported by Community Foundation of South Alabama, the Bedsole Foundation and the Crampton Trust. Our intent is to assist 25 new business ventures in the next 2 – 3 years with effective planning, mentoring and potentially peer-micro lending opportunities.
DEVELOPMENT AFTER KATRINA (HOW IT EXPANDED TO MEET THE NEEDS)
One on-going obstacle faced by Post- Hurricane Katrina victims is finding quality and affordable childcare for their children so that they can try to find employment or return to work.
It is so important, especially in times of crisis, for children to remain healthy, safe, and to know that they are cared for. In many cases children were left the most vulnerable after the storm because of the stress of evacuation, moving to a new community, a new school, and even losing loved ones.
In response for the need for child care for Hurricane victims, we are partnering with Lighthouse Child Development Center in Grand Bay, Alabama to help sponsor a number of low income children and their families affected by Hurricane Katrina in the Bayou La Batre, Irvington, and Grand Bay area.
Prior to Hurricane Katrina, the Lighthouse Academy of Excellence & Achievement served approximately twenty (20) children. Since the devastation of hurricane Katrina, the Save the Children Foundation has sent forth relief efforts in Southern Mobile County areas that were heavily affected and has partnered with the Lighthouse Child Development Center to try and provide a free after school and childcare program for families who are trying to get their lives back to normal.
There are 80 - 100 children ranging in ages of 3 months to 14 years old in their day care and after school programs. Ninety-five of those children qualify in the low income range.
During the summer the program is extended to an eight week project called, Around the World, a Summer Enrichment Program.
Our project is addressing the major need of providing child care throughout the summer months. Many of the children in this community have little options available to them in the summer.
With parks closed down, community centers still being used for disaster relief and the school year finished, parents and kids are at a loss for supervision and recreation during that time. The Summer Enrichment Program will act as an outlet to the students and parents in and around the Grand Bay, St. Elmo, Bayou La Batre, Irvington and Theodore areas.
Parents are able to go to work or look for employment knowing their children are safe and in good hands. All the while, the children are educated, entertained, and fed in an environment that is both social and academic.
The Summer Enrichment Program is broken down to eight weeks of cultural understanding and awareness education. The projects and activities of the camp will be run by student volunteers on a day to day basis in the areas of math, science, music, arts and crafts, literature, drama, travel and sports.
We recruit volunteers from the area high schools and community colleges as well as members of the community.
The schedule of the cultural curriculum is two to three hours each day devoted to these topics. The summer enrichment program operates from 8am to 1pm daily. These programs start at 8am.
We welcome stipends for student instructors in the program.
- History of Math / Science
- Math and Science
- Music Appreciation
- Art and Literature
- Arts and Crafts
- Drama
- Travel /Cultural Awareness
- Olympics/World Cup
