Shepherd's LightHouse

                                 Kesira, LaToya and Morgan Smith

Hi, my name is Kesira M. Smith, I’m 24 years old and I have 2 beautiful little girls. Latoya is 5 years old and Morgan is 2. I have been at Shepherd’s LightHouse since the beginning of August 2009. I learned about this program from United Way. Thanks to United Way and Shepherd’s LightHouse my family and I have a chance to strengthen and become independent.

Since, coming to stay here I have already in just the short time been able to get my children in daycare and school and myself on the road to my GED and certification as a Daycare Worker.

I believe that I am becoming a more organized person, as well as becoming a better parent. Before, I came to Shepherd’s LightHouse it was like living on a roller coaster in the middle of a dark cave. I never thought that I would ever get out of the cave or off the roller coaster; because I didn’t see that there were people that cared or would be willing to help me and my family. I now know that I don’t have to live in the world and accept the mental, physical, and emotional abuse that many have offered me in the past. Thanks to United way and Shepherd’s LightHouse I am off the roller coaster and out of the cave and I am determined to succeed at this second chance I have been given. I have moved into my own apartment with my 2 girls and I am working full time at as a Daycare Worker.

                                                                                  Shawn and Sean Sing

I am a current resident at Shepherd's LightHouse. To me this is not a shelter it is a program, it is a home and a family. They have all sorts of classes such as parenting, budgeting, and counseling to help you in every area of your life. If it wasn't for the LightHouse I don't know where I would be.I will be moving into my own apartment sometime in February, this is an exciting time for me, as I will be soaring on my own for the first time in a long time.  

My Guiding Light

By Lyn Camarato

My name is Lyn Camarato, I am a single parent with 2 children at home. We live in a nice 3 bedroom mobile home in a nice neighborhood. I support me and my children by working at Hampton Manor. I started there as a Certified Nursing Assistant and now hold the position of Activities Director.

My Daughter is16 and a junior in High School she also works part-time at Burger King, I can't wait to see her graduate next year and move onto  college and the career of her chocie. She and I have a great relationship and I am enjoying being an important part of her teen years. She can come to me with any problem or joy and I am there for her. My son is 10 and in 4th grade. He is a typical boy, and I enjoy helping him with his homework. I am  enjoying  watching him grow into a more confident and happy kid. His father has chosen to be absent from our son's life, and I am helping him cope with that. One of our favorite things to do is to throw a couple of sandwiches and some drinks into a sack and spend the day fishing at a near by lake. My oldest daughter is married and has two children. My grandchildren are a big part of my heart, my daughter and I are relating now, not just as mother and daughter, but as adult friends. My 18 year old son has chosen to leave the area. he is working for a company that travels the country. I worry about him, but, he calls often and so far he is healthy and happy. I just have to trust God to watch over him.

My story probably sounds like a million other stories of single Moms, but that couldn't be further from the truth. You see, since my teens I have been a drug addict. I could tell you of all the horrible things that happened to me over the years and all of the horrible things that I did to myself and those whom I loved and that loved me, but I'll start at what I thought was the end of my life. I gave my children away. I gave them to family members and justified my life style by telling myself that at least they were safe and with people who loved them. That part was true. But my life style on the streets, going from one "boyfriend" to another, Anyone who could get me high. That's what I lived for. I had been diagnosed as bi-polar, but, I couldn't be bothered to get the medication I needed because, that would mean I couldn't get high. My parents and others who loved me did all they knew how to do to get me to stop hurting my self and my children, but nothing worked. And then I realized that I had hit rock bottom. Now I had been in rehabs before and either left, got ask to leave, or just walked out at the end and went right back to my old life style. But, I couldn't get passed giving my precious kids away. I had to try one more time. I went to the Centers and went through their 3 month program. I did it My fanily and my children were so proud of me. I was scared. I knew I wasn't ready to lead a drug free normal life yet. I didn't trust myself. I had gotten this far before and then blew it. Then I was told about Shepherd's LighthHouse. I was told it is a 6 month program that gets you ready for the world out there. They have strict rules and guidelines you must follow, but if you go through the whole program you'll be ready. I jumped at the chance and came to live at the LightHouse. The program was more then I ever imagined. I met Ms Yolanda and Ms Theresa. They did not judge me, they did not lecture me, they did not make me feel like I was a bad girl. They immediately showed me love and caring. As time went on they taught me that I could do anything I set my mind and heart to do if I was willing to work at it, trust myself and trust that God had a plan for me. These 2 ladies became my angels. They set guidelines and they had to be followed. If they weren't there were consequenses. I came to realize that this was because we all have consequences. Good and smart choices lead to a good consequence, bad and thoughtless choices lead to bad consequences. I have always loved other people, but they taught me to love myself and that I could stand on my own 2 feet. I had never ever stood on my own. I always needed a crutch, whether it was a well meaning friend or family memebr bailing me out of one situation or another or the drugs and alcohol. I took classes at the LightHouse. Parenting, Anger Management and Bible classess that taught me to have patience and to understand that things are in God's time, not mine. As soon as I realized this things just started  failing into to place. While I was at the LightHouse I saw others come for help. each had their own needs and story and each was welcomed with the same loving care that I had received. I saw children arrive that were litterly starved for affection and Ms Yolanda and Ms Theresa made that a top priority. These kids were showered with love and caring and before ya knew it they were comfortable and playing and laughting the way kids should be in there home. Then I got my baby back. He came to live with me here at the LightHouse. These women helped me to feel comfortable as a mother again and they showed my son that dreams can come true.

I was allowed to stay at the LigthHouse for a year. I stayed until I felt ready to leave the nest and fly on my own. I got a job while I was here and Ms Yolanda helped me save my money so that I could get a place of my own. The LightHouse supplied me with everything me and my son needed while we were there from meals to shampoo. This is how I was able to save for my house. When I left there I was ready mentally, physically, (I was now on my medication) emotionally, and financially. I mentioned that they supplied everything I needed, but they also helped with my rental deposit, light deposit, and all of the other things that pop up when you are starting your life over. These  ladies deserve all the help that you are able to give them. They do God's work. I am living proof that the LightHouse is a life saver. I left there with much more. I have 2 lifelong friends in Ms Yolanda and Ms Theresa. I know that I can go to them with any problem and they will show me the way. I know they care about me and my family and I know that we are in there prayers. I know sometimes Ms Yolanda wonders if it is all worth it. My 16 year old daughter came back to live with me last July. Yes, Ms Yolanda it is all worth it!! And I am here to tell you that it is worth every penny that you can spend in funding Shepherd's LightHouse. The purpose of a lighthouse is to guide ships to safety when they have lost their way. This place could not have been more appropriately named

                Magen Stillwell 

             I stayed at the LightHouse and had a very good experience. Ms Theresa and Ms Yolanda are the most caring people in the world. While there these ladies gave me all of the help I needed to be able to make it in the world. I was given the tools I needed to succeed when I stepped out into the world. I was truly given a second chance. I now have custody of my daughter and have a new son and we are all doing very well thanks to the guidance I received from Shepherd's LightHouse.