Client Spotlight: Rick

Thanks to The Light House, I look forward to waking up each morning and being an active part of the community.

From an early age, Rick lived in an abusive home. When he was a teenager his mother was killed and his life began down an even darker path. “I lost all hope. For the next 40 years, my life was nothing. I didn’t care about anybody or anything.”

Rick struggled through addiction, incarceration, and homelessness most of his life. After being hospitalized for a near fatal case of pneumonia, he decided it was time to make a positive change. “I moved into The Light House and started the Culinary Program, people were encouraging…for the first time in my life I started to feel better about myself.”

The Light House provided Rick with food, clothing, and a safe space to live. His client advocate helped him address the underlying issues preventing him from living a healthy, stable, and meaningful life. He was connected with health care, employment training, sustainable housing, and was hired as Flatbread Chef at the Light House Bistro social enterprise. His client advocate even helped him sign up for community college classes to become an addictions counselor, so that he can give back to his community.

Stories like Rick’s are a testament to how The Light House changes lives and strengthens our community by providing the help needed – with dignity – to those most in need.