Bartlesville's Lighthouse Outreach Center adds parenting classes to homeless services
After more than 30 years of serving the homeless in Bartlesville, the Lighthouse Outreach Center continues to evolve to address clients' ever-changing needs.
The newest program is one-on-one parenting classes offered to every family who walks through the organization's doors.
Taught by a professional child and parent practitioner, sessions focus on the individual needs of the family and offer training in discipline and communications skills − all within a scriptural framework, said Lighthouse Director Errol Hada.
“We want to see every parent and child who comes here learn positive skills to perform well in society and be able to return to an independent environment," he said. "We provide this within a safe, loving atmosphere where kids can thrive."
Parenting classes encourage parents to find networks, resources and services within the community they need to help their children succeed. The trainer meets once a week with each parent at flexible times, such as after work or on weekends.
Many children and parents live at the Lighthouse in a safe and healthy environment for days, weeks or months if needed, Hada said. The Lighthouse also serves parents who are in the process of getting their children returned to them after they have been temporarily removed from their custody.
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"We have recently been able to make sure our children here have haircuts and appropriate clothing and school supplies that will help them be successful in school," Hada said.
The Lighthouse Outreach Center in Bartlesville is a Christian-based homeless shelter that provides shelter, food, clothing and training to those in need. With a maximum capacity of 75 residents, the facility is the only shelter within a 50-mile radius that provides a 24-hour safe living facility for men, women and families.
“The Lighthouse Outreach Center has a vision for children and families, as well as for those who have lived with drug and alcohol problems and abuse," said Joe Clark, Lighthouse assistant director.
He said experience has shown that most parents needing housing in the area come from dysfunctional or abusive families.
"Many were raised within the foster system and have never seen healthy parenting modeled," Clark said. "They have never learned the skills needed to raise their own children in a positive environment.”
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The Lighthouse provides a number of services, including transportation to the doctor, dentist or therapy appointments, the Department of Human Services office and school.
Parents also may attend classes in drug and alcohol addiction recovery, life skills and Bible study. The Lighthouse collaborates with the new Brief Stay program for parents and children at Grand Mental Health. Brief Stay provides parents direct guidance and intervention from trained staff.
The Lighthouse is supported through the generosity of private donors, foundations, churches, volunteers and grants.
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To learn more about the Lighthouse Outreach Center, the public is invited to attend the next free informational “I Had No Idea Lunch & Tour” from noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 7. To sign up for the tour, call the Lighthouse at 918-336-9029 or email linda.radaker@gmail.com. To learn more, visit www.bartlesvillelighthouse.org
The Lighthouse is located at 1411 W Hensley Blvd.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Lighthouse Outreach Center adds parenting classes to its services
