Celebrating 5 Years at the Lighthouse

Over the past five years, the Lighthouse has become a place where our community can gather, connect, and grow. This video is a fuller recap of the people, moments, and partnerships that have helped shape the Lighthouse into what it is today.

Watch the Full 5-Year Recap Video (Below)

We’re deeply grateful for the support of the City of Othello, Rotary Club, Bethel Assembly of God, Nazarene Church, Othello Foursquare Church, Innovia Foundation, Inatai Foundation, Rural Development Initiatives, Walmart, and so many local businesses, organizations, and volunteers who continue to show up for our community.

As we look ahead, we’ll soon be sharing information about joining our Strategic Planning Team. If you’re interested in helping shape what’s next, let us know below.

Thank you for being part of the Lighthouse story. 💛
—The Lighthouse Team

A Day of Generosity: 200+ Bags of Clothing & Shoes Given to Our Community

On Friday, December 5, the Lighthouse Community Center had the joy of giving away over 200 bags of brand-new clothing and shoes to individuals and families in our community. This event was made possible through the incredible generosity of Agape Ministries, the Adams County Juvenile Department, and Bethel Church — partners who truly believe in caring for Othello’s families with dignity and compassion.

What made the day even more special was the unity and service from volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.

Community Volunteers Who Made It Possible

This giveaway was only possible because of the many hands and hearts that came together:

Preparation & Sorting

Over the last two weeks, 10 dedicated volunteers spent hours sorting, organizing, and preparing hundreds of items so the giveaway could run smoothly.

Student Leadership in Action

The morning of the event, 20 students from Vanessa Billman’s Leadership class arrived ready to serve. Their energy and teamwork helped transform the Lighthouse into a welcoming, organized space for families to shop with ease.

Giveaway Day Volunteers

Throughout the day, 13 volunteers helped greet recipients, guide them through the items, restock tables, and keep the space flowing with warmth and hospitality. Their presence ensured that every person who walked through our doors felt seen, supported, and cared for.

A Beautiful Day of Community Impact

Thanks to the combined effort of generous partners and passionate volunteers, hundreds of men, women, and children received brand-new winter clothing and shoes at no cost. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed — from donors to students to community members who spent time preparing, hosting, and cleaning up.

Events like this remind us what can happen when a community comes together with shared purpose. The Lighthouse remains committed to creating spaces where families can find support, resources, and hope.

If you’d like to stay connected or learn about upcoming opportunities to serve, follow us on social media or reach out anytime.

Together, we are building a stronger, kinder Othello.

El viernes 5 de diciembre, el Lighthouse Community Center tuvo el privilegio de regalar más de 200 bolsas de ropa y zapatos nuevos a personas y familias de nuestra comunidad. Este evento fue posible gracias a la increíble generosidad de Agape Ministries, el Departamento Juvenil del Condado de Adams, y Bethel Church — socios que realmente creen en cuidar a las familias de Othello con dignidad y compasión.

Lo que hizo el día aún más especial fue la unidad y el servicio de los voluntarios que trabajaron incansablemente detrás de escena.

Voluntarios que Hicieron Esto Posible

Esta entrega gratuita solo fue posible gracias a las muchas manos y corazones que se unieron:

Preparación y Clasificación

Durante las últimas dos semanas, 10 voluntarios dedicados pasaron horas clasificando, organizando y preparando cientos de artículos para asegurar que el evento funcionara sin contratiempos.

Liderazgo Estudiantil en Acción

La mañana del evento, 20 estudiantes de la clase de Liderazgo de Vanessa Billman llegaron listos para servir. Su energía y trabajo en equipo ayudaron a transformar el Lighthouse en un espacio acogedor y organizado para que las familias pudieran elegir sus artículos con facilidad.

Voluntarios Durante el Día del Evento

A lo largo del día, 13 voluntarios ayudaron a recibir a los visitantes, guiarlos por las mesas, reabastecer artículos y mantener el flujo del evento con calidez y hospitalidad. Su presencia aseguró que cada persona que ingresara se sintiera vista, apoyada y cuidada.

Un Hermoso Día de Impacto Comunitario

Gracias al esfuerzo combinado de generosos socios y voluntarios comprometidos, cientos de hombres, mujeres y niños recibieron ropa y zapatos nuevos para el invierno, sin costo alguno. Estamos profundamente agradecidos por todos los que contribuyeron — desde los donantes hasta los estudiantes y miembros de la comunidad que prepararon, atendieron y limpiaron.

Eventos como este nos recuerdan lo que puede suceder cuando una comunidad se une con un propósito compartido. En el Lighthouse seguimos comprometidos a crear espacios donde las familias puedan encontrar apoyo, recursos y esperanza.

Si deseas mantenerte conectado o conocer próximas oportunidades para servir, síguenos en redes sociales o comunícate con nosotros en cualquier momento.

Juntos, estamos construyendo un Othello más fuerte y más compasivo.

Teen Entrepreneurs, Apple Fun, and Fresh Fit Updates!

Teen Mentor Match Entrepreneur Class — Monday, Sept. 29 at 6:00 PM

Calling all high school juniors and seniors: Join us for the kickoff of our Teen Mentor Match Entrepreneur Program this Monday at 6:00 PM! This is your chance to learn how to build and launch your own business with hands-on guidance, mentorship, and real-world experience.

• 🍕 Free pizza provided!

• 🗓️ We’ll meet every 1st and 3rd Monday throughout the school year.

• 🍽️ Dinner will be provided at every session.

• 💡 Learn business skills, build confidence, and explore new opportunities.

Spots are limited, so don’t miss this chance to start your entrepreneurial journey!

🍎 Kids Club: Apples Galore! — Monday, Sept. 29 from 3:30–5:00 PM

Before our teen session begins, younger students are invited to our Kids Club for a fun-filled afternoon of apple-themed activities and snacks.

• 📅 Monday, 3:30–5:00 PM

• 🍏 Theme: Apples Galore

• 🎨 Crafts, STEM stations, snacks, and more!

• 💵 Just $5 per student

• 🌟 Bonus: Our amazing teen mentors will help lead the fun!

👚 Fresh Fit Closet: Now Open & Serving Teens

Thanks to generous donations from our community and local businesses, the Fresh Fit Closet is up and running for the new school year!

🛍️ Teens can stop by before school, during lunch, after school, or by appointment to pick out stylish, quality clothing and essentials—for free!

Items currently needed (based on teen requests):

• Ripped/baggy jeans

• Crop tops for girls

• Unused makeup & lashes

• Men’s shoes: Sizes 6.5, 9.5, 10

• Men’s slacks, jeans (especially 36x34), sweaters, and shirts

If you'd like to donate, thank you! Your support truly makes a difference for our youth.

We can’t wait to see you at the Lighthouse this Monday—whether you're learning, leading, or just stopping by for a snack and a smile.

Back-to-School Celebration 2025: A Day of Community and Hope

On Wednesday, August 27, Lighthouse Community Center hosted our first Back-to-School Celebration—and what an amazing day it was! Together with our partners, sponsors, and volunteers, we were able to bless our community in big ways:

• 200+ backpacks filled with school supplies were given to students

• 250 bags of groceries were distributed from Convoy of Hope’s delivery

• Teens and adults received free clothing from the Fresh Fit Closet and donated items

• Families connected with local organizations and resources to support them in the year ahead

Thank You to Our Sponsors

This day would not have been possible without the generosity of our sponsors:
Convoy of Hope, Rotary Club, Walmart, Bethel Assembly of God, and many others who invested in making sure students in Othello and the surrounding area start the year prepared and confident.

Community Partners

A special thanks also goes to the service providers who joined us on-site and shared valuable information with our families:

• OIC of Washington

• Othello Community Hospital

• Othello Mid-Columbia Library

• Othello Food Bank

• UNIDOS

• Adams County Integrated Behavioral Health Services

• P.E.A.C.E.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped to benefit our community!

Back-to-School Celebration at Lighthouse Community Center

As summer comes to a close, we are thrilled to invite our community to the Lighthouse Community Center’s Back-to-School Celebration! This special event is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors: Walmart, the Rotary Club, Convoy of Hope, and Bethel Church. Together, we are committed to ensuring that every student in our community feels supported, valued, and ready to start the school year strong.

Free Backpacks & Supplies

Thanks to your generosity and partnerships, we’ve been able to purchase 200 backpacks filled with essential school supplies that will be given away to teens. Our goal is to help every student walk into school confident and prepared.

Free Clothing for Teens & Adults

In addition to school supplies, we will also have free clothing available in our parking lot for both teens and adults. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to find clothing items they may need as we begin a new school year.

Community Resources

We are excited to host six agencies and organizations who will be on-site with tables filled with valuable resources for students, parents, and community members. This is a chance to learn more about local services, connect with community partners, and gather helpful information.

Convoy of Hope Grocery Giveaway

We are especially grateful to Convoy of Hope, who will be delivering a semi-truck of grocery items on Monday. On Wednesday, each teen who attends will be able to leave with a bag full of groceries to take home and share with their families.

The Lighthouse Café Reopening

We are also celebrating the reopening of the Lighthouse Café with our new management staff! We want to take a moment to appreciate the dedication and heart of the former Café team, who poured so much time and energy into creating a comfortable, welcoming space for teens and the community. We thank them sincerely for their service.

Looking ahead, we are thrilled to welcome Sheree Cantu, our new Café Manager.

Sheree brings fresh energy and exciting new ideas to the Café. She is already working on a variety of new menu items, and we can’t wait to see the Café continue to grow under her leadership.

Volunteers Needed

To make this celebration run smoothly, we need the help of our community. Volunteers are needed on:

• Monday evening to help pack grocery bags.

• Tuesday to assist with event set-up.

• Wednesday to help with distribution throughout the day.

If you are available, we would love to have you join us in serving our community! You can sign up to volunteer using this link: Volunteer Sign-Up.

Contribute or Sponsor

If you’d like to help but can’t volunteer, we are still accepting supplies and monetary donations to purchase additional items. Every bit makes a difference in supporting our students and families.

Join Us!

Mark your calendars! The giveaway will take place on Wednesday, August 27 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Lighthouse Community Center. This celebration is more than just an event—it’s a way for our community to come together, support one another, and help our youth start the year on the right foot. Whether you’re a student, parent, or community member, there is something for everyone.

We look forward to seeing you there as we celebrate, give, and grow together!

Second Quarter Highlights

April – May 2025 | Othello, WA

At the Lighthouse, we’re committed to helping youth and families dream bigger and live better. Here’s a quick look at what we’ve been up to this spring!

Youth Programs

Mentor Match Celebration
We honored 8 teen entrepreneurs at a banquet with family, awards, and a keynote by Adan Garza.

After-School Fun
25 students planted flowers in decorated pots and graduates personalized their caps.

Girls Circle Growth
Four girls graduated from our 8-week wellness program. The group toured CWU and visited the Seattle Aquarium—an unforgettable experience for all.

1:1 Youth Mentoring
We continued personal mentoring focused on mental health and future planning. One student shared:

“I felt like you saved my life.”

Fresh Fit Closet: Revamped!

Thanks to Janell Wood and family, the Closet got a full makeover—organized, welcoming, and open for teens during lunch and after school.

Community Initiatives

• Sensory Hour for neurodivergent kids launched in partnership with Buck & Angie Castro.

• Gang Awareness Workshop with local law enforcement and Behavioral Health.

• Facility Support for Unidos, Parent to Parent, FCA, and Strengthening Families.

• Ongoing Engagement: We joined community coalitions, hosted school wellness talks, and more.

Fundraising Success

Annual Fundraiser
With help from 20+ student volunteers, we raised $8,000 (goal: $5,000) through dinner, auction, and performances.

Grants Received

• $1,000 from Othello Walmart for Fresh Fit Closet and school supplies.

• $15,000 from Innovia Foundation for after-school and mentorship programs.

Coming Soon

• Launching Lighthouse Kids Club

• Summer mentor sessions with Adams County Juvenile Department

• Back-to-School event with free toiletries for teens

• Youth Leadership workshops with RDI (Rural Development Initiatives).

Get Involved

Want to volunteer, donate, or partner with us?
📞 Call Angela Kudsk: 509-380-9476
📧 Email: akudsk@lighthousecc.one
🌐 Visit: www.lighthousecc.one

See Lighthouse 2nd Quarter 2025 Report for more details.

A Bright Future: Innovia Grant Fuels After-School Programs in Othello

🌟 Public Thank You to Innovia Foundation 🌟

We are thrilled to share that the Lighthouse Community Center has been awarded a generous $15,000 grant from Innovia Foundation! Innovia is the community foundation serving Eastern Washington and North Idaho, partnering with people who want to improve their communities and leave a lasting impact. Their mission to ignite generosity that transforms lives and communities inspires us deeply.

Each year, Innovia invests over $10 million into local communities through grants and scholarships, creating vibrant and sustainable communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We are honored to be among the recipients of this year’s funding.

Thanks to Innovia’s support, we now have the resources we need to continue pursuing after-school programs in Othello and to move forward with offering the Lighthouse Kids Club for Othello youth. More information will be shared soon about the mission, vision, and goals of the Lighthouse Kids Club. We’re looking forward to launching pilot programs this summer—stay tuned for opportunities to sign your kids up, for youth to volunteer, and for businesses and organizations to help sponsor.

If you’d like to be a part of turning these ideas into plans—and eventually reality—please contact Angela Kudsk at akudsk@lighthousecc.one or 509-380-9476. We’re excited to take these next steps and sincerely thank Innovia for their confidence, support, and partnership in the Lighthouse Community Center.