Overview:
• The Lighthouse, a residential treatment program for girls, has played a significant role in the transition to adulthood of Tatyana, a former resident who has since earned her GED and served on the Lighthouse Board.
• Arianna and Precious, also former residents, have also praised the staff for their support and assistance in their journey towards independence.
• The Lighthouse has helped these young women to overcome their past traumas and achieve their goals, including obtaining their GED, finding employment, and pursuing further education.
“Following a failed adoption and twelve different foster homes, I entered Lighthouse’s residential treatment program for girls, New Beginnings, said Tatyana, a former Lighthouse resident. “The Lighthouse staff played a pivotal role in my transition to adulthood. They gave me perspective about my situation and helped me understand I wasn’t the only person with a traumatic past. And they listened, always without judgment.
Fifteen years later, I have an even deeper appreciation for the safety and acceptance I finally found at New Beginnings. I have my GED and have worked toward a college degree. I work full-time, and I have had the opportunity to serve on the Lighthouse Board and share my lived expertise to help others like me.
Arianna, also a former Lighthouse resident, said, “Whenever you’re ready, they’re ready to help. The staff at the Sheakley Center won’t leave you. They stick with you through everything and make sure you have what you need to succeed.’’
Precious, another former Lighthouse resident, said, “Before coming into shelter at Lighthouse, I dealt with a lot of traumas that affected my mental health. The staff connected me with the mental health services at Lighthouse so that I could work through those things. They also helped me get my GED. Eventually, I was able to get a job that I kept during my time in shelter. Lighthouse helped me to move into my own apartment, and I enrolled in the Cincinnati Cooks program so that I can work toward starting my own catering company. I sometimes can’t believe I made it through those tough times. I couldn’t see a way out before I entered shelter at Lighthouse, but they supported me, and now I have a vision and dream for my future.