FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Happy New Year ! What a wonderful year 2017 is going to be . We are so very excited and enthusiastic about all that God is doing at the Little Light House . We have officially been in our new facility for a total of four months , continuing to stand in AWE of God ’ s faithfulness and provision . So first , let me say thank you for the part you have played in this ministry and assisting us in fulfilling our mission : To bring glory to God as we improve the quality of life for children with special needs , their families and communities .
As I look forward to all this new year has in store , the scripture that comes to mind is from Isaiah 54:2 ( KJV ) Enlarge the place of your tent , and let them stretch forth the curtains of your habitations : spare not , lengthen your cords , and strengthen your stakes .
We have definitely enlarged the place of our “ tent ” this year ! Our new facility is allowing for growth of all of our programs , and we are seeing our dreams becoming even bigger realities . Not only have we been able to increase enrollment and serve more children , we have also been able to facilitate and expand programs which we had to limit in past years due to space . We are lengthening our cords and strengthening our stakes as we are now able to offer more training opportunities , as follows :
Professional conferences , offering CEU ’ s hosted by the LLH have been able to grow in number of attendees , as well as the number of conferences offered . We have held four conferences to date and we have two more already on the schedule focusing on therapy in February and special needs educators in July .
College and Career program : Working with local universities and colleges , we are providing them on-site training in our new second floor observatories . As our founder , Marcia Mitchel , has stated , “ Our LLH classrooms have now become classrooms for the university students ”. As well as gaining insight and hands on experience these students are fulfilling college requirements of internships , practicums and observations .
Our Global Impact program , which is funded by designated donations , is seeing rapid growth . For 2017 our staff has already been invited to participate in conferences and / or training opportunities in Haiti , Honduras , Russia , Southern Mexico , Costa Rica and Nicaragua . We have interns coming to train here onsite from Haiti and Indonesia and we are continuing to work with other countries . We have new contacts , using our curriculum and seeking guidance , from India . Technology is allowing us to train these new friends by Skype , face to face , on a regular basis . Global Impact will continue our working relationships with China , Estonia and South Africa . There are many schools around the globe using the LLH as a resource and guide .
Affiliate Program : Our LLH affiliate in Mississippi celebrated their tenth anniversary in 2016 . What a blessing this has been to see the LLH successfully replicated . We are always looking to expand our outreach and assist others who are working with special needs children . The affiliate program has been fine-tuned and for those seeking replication we will assist them wherever they are .
Our LLH Resource Website : www . thelittleanchor . org has provided parents , professionals , churches and schools from around the world with resources at their fingertips . This year , we will continue to increase the information , training videos and blogs available on this site , allowing individuals the fundamental and key information they need to help others with disabilities .
Ephesians 3:20 says : “ Now glory be to God , who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of — infinitely beyond our highest prayers , desires , thoughts , or hopes ”. We are indeed walking in God ’ s abundant blessings as we see our BIG dreams being reached and achieved . As we reflect back over our past year , and even the decades , it has been quite amazing to see all that God has done for us , and all He has accomplished through you , our friends and supporters . May He richly bless you for the part you play in making a difference at the Little Light House and around the world .
Jean Winfrey
Executive Director