The History of Lighthouse Learning Center 20 Years of Existence

"There is not enough darkness in the world to put out the light of one small candle. Lighthouse Learning Center is that candle, true to its name, it is a beacon of light burning brightly through discouragement and defeat and beckoning the lives of many to the safe harbors that it creates and always clinging to the one small miracle, the one that happens every day. In trying to understand what Lighthouse is and what it means you have to understand what compassion is. Compassion is the healing of all human emotions and in its quiet power it has the ability to change the world."

Twenty (20) years have gone by and little has changed at Lighthouse, with one exception, more challenged children and their families are seeking help. Our curriculum hasn't changed. Our basic philosophy hasn't changed. The program still seeks family involvement, still educates through work and play, and still utilizes professional pediatric therapists to help disabled children reach their full potential.

Lighthouse, a Division of CCAR Services Inc., started at the Island View Baptist Church in Orange Park when 4 multi-disabled children were enrolled. Twenty years later the Center had serviced over 1,000 children. For the current year (1999) we expect to have at least 215 special needs children using our facility in some sort of educational or therapeutic way. The program made a move from the Church to a rented facility in 1988 and then to its current location in 1998. The new location was enlarged by three times. Within the first year the numbers of children exceeded the available space leaving management with a waiting list for children needing assistance.

THE FUTURE -- It is a given that children will continue to be born. A catastrophic situation would have to occur before that would stop. It is also a given that there is a ratio of challenged children vis-a-vis non-challenged children. That ratio will not likely decrease. Thus, with the occurring dynamic increase in the overall population of Northeast Florida, we can say with certainty that there will be more children needing an early intervention type program in the future.

"It takes great courage to be another's care giver and to work through the doubts and the disappointments, but for those whose life work it has become, life takes on a whole new meaning and suddenly miracles are everywhere. Miracles happen every day at Lighthouse." And that will continue.