Dear Light House Community,

We are deeply saddened by the tragic event at The Capital newspaper office yesterday where five lives were taken: Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith, and Wendi Winters. Our hearts go out to all the families and to our entire community which is shaken by this loss.

The Capital Gazette team works tirelessly to report on stories and issues that impact our organization and community. We honor those we have lost and the entire Capital Gazette team for their service to our community through true journalistic integrity.

Our staff, clients, and supporters would like to take a moment to remember Wendi Winters for her years of dedication to our organization. For many years, Wendi had been a caring and compassionate member of our Light House family. We are forever grateful for her volunteer work serving meals in our kitchen, and her heartfelt efforts and determination to tell the stories of those struggling with homelessness and poverty. She was also a frequent diner at our Light House Bistro.

Her many “Home of the Week” articles that featured Light House residents ( https://bit.ly/2KxcStE) were a window into the issues and people we serve every day. Her enthusiasm, generosity of spirit, and genuine kindness in her reporting of these stories will not be forgotten. The Light House cares for individuals and families when they are at their most vulnerable, and Wendi understood and respected this. She brought professionalism and an open heart to every interview. She cared deeply that our residents were shown as the valuable, beautiful, and complex individuals they are. We honor her today, and hope that her light will continue to shine through us.

As we grieve, our entire Light House community holds the family, friends, and loved ones of those lost in this tragedy in our hearts.

With love,
The Light House Family