Organization Background

The Light House Mission was established in 1890 to serve the needs of transient and needy local people in the Wabash Valley, and has served in this capacity to this present time. In 1935, it was recognized as a not-for-profit organization by the state of Indiana. The Mission has expanded its range and geographic scope of services to include 19 counties in Western Indiana and Eastern Illinois. We have a working relationship with the law enforcement agencies, welfare departments, government agencies, state prison system, and many churches in these counties who refer people in need to us. As these counties form some of the poorest localities in Indiana, the Mission has seen a significant increase in the number of indigent and homeless in the last few years. The Mission accepts all who need assistance and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, ethnicity, or physical ability.

The Light House Mission is governed by a board of directors, elected from community leaders. It is staffed by 30 employees (23 full time and 7 part time) and numerous community volunteers, who gave 10,778 hours of service last year. The Mission is funded primarily by donations, bequests, Thrift Store sales, and grants.

In 1990, the Mission served just over 14,000 meals, and by 1997, over 60,000 meals were served. Last year, more than 165,000 meals were served to homeless and financially hurting people. This year that number will top 168,000, or over 460 meals a day. The combined shelter capacity of the men, women, and married couples' housing is over 150 beds, providing approximately 48,000 night's lodging to men, women and children each year. In addition to food and shelter, the Mission also provides clothing and disaster relief to the community at large.

In 1998, The Conner's Center was opened in North Terre Haute as a shelter for single women and women with children. The Center offers the same programs for the women residents, as well as providing transportation for appointments for the doctor, welfare office, etc. Soon they will be starting a food program to provide meals for the low-income families in the surrounding communities.

In 2009, the Mission incorporated The Crossroad Connections, a safe house for teen girls, into our ministry base. Located at 1324 Eagle Street, this facility provides shelter and intervention for Wabash Valley girls from ages 12-21. Staff is on hand 24 hours a day and emergency shelter service is available.

The Mission also recognizes a responsibility to improve education, self-sufficiency and job marketability. Toward that goal it offers a 10-step recovery program for each client for substance abuse recovery and partners with Hamilton Mental Health Center for therapy and medication services. Adult literacy and GED classes are currently in place to further assist clients, in association with the Vigo County School Corporation. Computer classes have been added to help with job training skills.