Client Spotlight: Rebecca

“In 2013 I had moved to Maryland with desperation for a much-needed change in my life. Unwilling to fully surrender to my addiction I was lost and hopeless. My husband had just died resulting from a fatal overdose and with devastation in my heart I used drugs to cope. My life had become unmanageable to the point where I felt rock bottom had a basement. After successfully entering and completing treatment, I contacted The Light House and was accepted into the B.E.S.T. Culinary Program. I finally had career goals and my path made sense. Contacting The Light House was one of the best decisions I had made in a long time. I had the opportunity to learn and give back to others in need at the same time. That feeling was priceless…

“Thank you to The Light House for being a foundation to build on, to the volunteers for providing their time to a place of hope, and to the residents for showing me that no matter what obstacles you may be faced with, there’s always something to be grateful for…The Light House and B.E.S.T. Program have shown me that anything is possible if you are open minded and willing to learn. It can be done, I just did it!” – Rebecca, B.E.S.T. Culinary Graduate

In The New: Light House B.E.S.T. Graduation Featured in Capital Gazette

Light House Celebrates Training Graduation

Mayor Gavin Buckley was the keynote speaker at The Light House Homeless Prevention Support Center’s graduation for their 19th Class of Building Employment Success Training (B.E.S.T.) students. The B.E.S.T. program is a 16-week job-training program for people impacted by homelessness and poverty that provides hands-on training in Culinary Arts or Facilities Maintenance and Landscaping. With this 19th class, The Light House has graduated a total of 309 students since it began in 2011. 100 percent of these graduates have passed their rigorous exit exams, qualifying them for gainful employment in Anne Arundel County and beyond.

During the ceremony, each student gave a moving speech about their personal journey, what they learned during their time in the program, and their hopes and plans for the future. The May 24th event at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis brought together Light House volunteers, donors, important city and county officials, and friends and family of the graduates. The sanctuary was filled with attendees eager to celebrate the positive path these graduates are now on, and their determination to overcome their barriers.