As another school year was getting underway, the staff of Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center geared up to guide women, men and teens of all ages to healthy, life-enhancing choices by tangibly showing them God’s love. Four of our key staff took part in CareNet’s national pregnancy center conference in early September, and returned with resources and insights to better serve “Gen Z.”
Our Paterson partner, RENEW Life, was preparing for their fall “Getting Ahead” workshop, which began in October. RENEW’s “Getting Ahead” program is a 10-week workshop which equips moms (and dads!) with the tools to overcome generational poverty. Parents gain confidence and conviction to continue their education, while also learning to manage finances and pursue stable employment. Through this safe learning environment and grace-centered approach, Lighthouse moms are prepared to be change agents and role models in both their families and communities. “Getting Ahead” graduates continue to come for mentoring and a “Think Differently” Bible study that reinforces their transformation with spiritual truth.
In late August, Lighthouse and RENEW Life families were blessed by donations from the Passaic County Commission on the Status of Women and Star of Hope Ministries. The Commission, led by Ernestine Dukes, toured the center and presented our children with colorful bags filled with nutritious lunch snacks. Afterwards, the children received backpacks filled with school supplies from Star of Hope Ministries. These combined donations equipped our families for a healthy, happy start to the school year.
Educators, youth leaders, and parents can likewise make a difference this school year by hosting our REALife Relationship and Love Training. REALife is a Lighthouse program that educates teens and young adults about sexual risk avoidance and the value of saving sex for marriage. REALife offers free, age- and context-appropriate presentations to churches and schools focused on topics like character development, goal setting, responding to peer pressure, and healthy relationship choices. The curriculum is medically accurate and aligns with core curriculum content standards.
God has given us the conviction that we need to actively help our community by educating youth on the dangers of unhealthy sexual behaviors, and provide teens with the resources and wisdom they need to choose abundant life. When they make mistakes or experience painful consequences from their choices, our prayer is to show them that there is always a way to find healing and renewed perspective. If you are interested in being a part of our mission to help teens and young adults choose healthy, life-giving relationships over risky behaviors, contact Lauren Caron at laurenk@lighthouseprc.org or visit REALife’s website. To help fund all of our life-giving programs, click here.