The LIGHTHOUSE shines hope for those in addiction recovery

and a way to continue serving the men.”

Recovering from addiction poses many challenges — and a local nonprofit provides practical assistance and spiritual guidance to those on the journey.

The Lighthouse is an umbrella for a social services organization with a number of offerings, including a Biblical Life Recovery Center for men with addictions and two thrift stores. There is also community programming for the public.

Debbie Lemmon is executive assistant to Dr. Brandon Bower, founder of The Lighthouse. She also wears many hats for the organization, including writing grants.

“We currently are funded in a mix of different ways. Our long-term goal is to be selfsustaining,” Lemmon said. “The thrift stores are part of that

Treating addiction has multiple layers, according to Lemmon. The mainstay of everything the program offers is that it is faith based. In addition to the guidance based in scripture, there is a church service in the recovery center Sunday mornings. That is a result of a collaboration with others.

Collaborating with others is a theme throughout, and churches and businesses help the Lighthouse accomplish these goals. Youth groups help with mailings, for example. Its website lists numerous aspects of the ministry, including a women’s program, food bank and family life initiatives.

An important way for the community to help is through donating goods that can be sold in the stores and by shopping there. There are two locations for the thrift stores: 4718

Parnell Avenue and 6230 Lima Road. The store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Donations are accepted during store hours.

Part of how Lighthouse redirects men’s lives and helps them stay clean and sober is job assistance. The goal is to keep them employed or help them find meaningful work. They graduate from the program and have a plan to stay focused on positive outcomes.

“All of them are in different situations,” Lemmon said. “It depends on their circumstances. Some go back to their jobs. Others need help finding jobs. Others need job skills.”

The thrift stores serve multiple roles. It’s an affordable way for those they serve to shop, and some in the program work in the stores.

One of the main facilities is at 3000 E. State Blvd., since they’ve acquired the former

Parkview fitness center and made it into a community center. There is programming for the community and a residential program for the men working on their recovery.

Harold W. Lewis works in the thrift store at the Lima Road location. He’s been doing so for two months.

“I hang clothes, move boxes to the storage room, clean, take out trash and make sure they are stocked up on the floor,” he said. “I do whatever I can to be helpful and work 22 to 30 hours a week.”

The work he does in a faithbased program means a great deal to him.

“It’s 100% important,” he said. “It’s what I choose to do, and I want to continue to serve, especially in the faith business.”

He continued by sharing his own faith experience.

“In Ephesians, where it talks about the armor of God, I never knew that God provided me with his armor to fight Satan. I got saved five months ago and learned that God is real and the devil is too, but he doesn’t have as much power,” he said.

His family has also been very supportive, and he’s grateful for his family and The Lighthouse.

He’s very appreciative for the opportunities he has.

“God has blessed me at The Lighthouse with sobriety. The least I can do is give back. My favorite part is the fellowship with others. I love it,” he said. For more information or to donate, visit biblicalliferecoverycenter.com, call (260) 255-6413 or visit facebook.com/ LighthouseRecoveryCenter.