Family Connections

Volunteering at Lighthouse gives families an opportunity to share their gifts while becoming more connected to their loved ones’ community. For parents Jeanne Weber and Tracy Merschen, contributing their time has deepened relationships, offered new perspectives, and created meaningful experiences.

Jeanne’s daughter, Angie, has attended Lighthouse’s programs for 23 years. Every Wednesday, Jeanne leads a card-making activity that participants eagerly anticipate. Her commitment extends well beyond the time she spends teaching. She plans projects, develops designs, gathers and provides supplies, and cuts out materials so everything is ready for participants to create their cards. Preparing approximately 80 cards each week requires considerable time, effort, and care.

Jeanne began volunteering before the pandemic. When the building was closed during the pandemic, she continued teaching through Zoom. Today, she teaches in Strengthening Pathways. The participants’ excitement keeps her motivated. Seeing their smiles and receiving appreciation from participants and staff make the preparation worthwhile. She also finds the creative work therapeutic.

Faith is vital to Jeanne’s involvement. She described relying on God throughout the process, including choosing ideas that participants will enjoy. As she explained, she involves God “in every way of the process.” She considers the materials and time she contributes a form of tithing, putting her faith into practice through service.

Being present at Lighthouse also allows Jeanne to know people more personally and pray for the needs. These connections make volunteering an expression of both her faith and her care for the community.

Her involvement has opened a window into Angie’s life, too. Getting to know her daughter’s friends and developing relationships with staff have given Jeanne a fuller understanding of Angie’s experiences. Before volunteering in the program, she encourages parents to check with their loved one to make sure they feel comfortable with having a parent join them in class.

“This is (the participant’s) community. This is their safe space.”

Jeanne’s advice emphasizes honoring participants’ independence, friendships, and sense of identity while finding ways to be involved that they welcome.

While Jeanne has volunteered in the classroom, Tracy Merschen, mother of Cord, has explored a variety of ways to help over the years. She trained to assist at the front desk while a staff member was on leave, helped with benefit auctions, and most recently volunteered at the Family Day flower sale.

Those experiences opened Tracy’s eyes to the extent of Lighthouse’s operations. Seeing the work firsthand helped her appreciate how many people and responsibilities come together to provide services each day. Volunteering revealed efforts that families may not see during their usual interactions with the programs.

Cord joins his family in volunteering and looks forward to these occasions. Tracy values the opportunities for him to spend time with peers and interact with the public, bringing different parts of his social world together through shared community experiences.

Her encouragement to other families is to give volunteering a try. Although a new role can feel intimidating, staff and participants have established routines that help volunteers find their place. She describes Lighthouse as a “fun and positive environment” and expresses how easy it is to be supportive.

“The participants know what they are doing,” Tracy explained.

She also values how community events help people connect and recognize what they share: “The differences are fewer than similarities.”

Whether motivated by faith, family connection, or a desire to share a skill, volunteers contribute something personal to Lighthouse. Jeanne encourages families to consider hobbies they could introduce, from baking to gardening or art. By listening to their loved ones and sharing their gifts, families can build relationships that enrich their own lives and the Lighthouse community.

~Brittany Miller, Director of Admissions & Quality Assurance