The Light House

Restaurant operations - The Light House bistro (The "bistro") is a social enterprise restaurant that supports The ongoing workforce development and housing programs at The Light House. It is a 50-seat full-service restaurant that provides training and employment opportunities for participants in The Light House programs. The bistro, which opened in february of 2017, is located on The property of The former shelter at 202 west street in annapolis, md. Home to The best advanced culinary training kitchen and a fine-dining atmosphere, The bistro provides staff with The opportunity to learn culinary and/or customer service industry skills from professional managers and chefs. Staff are able to gain these skills and experience in a supportive environment while continuing to receive case management and wrap-around care. The bistro provides real-world workforce opportunities for these students who struggle with employment barriers and helps ensure their success as they start their careers.

Emergency shelter - The Light House operates a 24,000 square foot residential living facility which opened in 2010. The custom-designed facility can House 15 women, 30 men and four families with up to 15 children. Food and shelter are provided along with onsite supportive services including case management, employment services, adult basic skills/ged classes, computer classes, financial empowerment, parenting classes, as well as housing and job search support. The facility has an employment resource center, a library, community room and outdoor spaces including a playground.

Food pantry and preventive services - The Light House safe harbor resource center (shrc) serves individuals and families who are chronically homeless, newly homeless, or at risk of homelessness. The shrc also serves as an entry point to additional Light House support services such as workforce development/employment at The social enterprise, Light House bistro and emergency shelter. Outreach services are available to un-sheltered homeless including laundry, showers, access to computers, snacks and drinks and other Light House food programs, as well as case management and referral services. In addition, shrc serves those who are at risk of homelessness through case management focusing on eviction prevention, homeless diversion services, and utility assistance. Clients are also provided other basic needs such as food programs, meals, and clothing. The Light House offers a variety of food programs for individuals and families in The community who struggle with food insecurity, including those who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. The Light House provides perishable and non-perishable pantry items, freshly prepared meals and grab-and-go meal options to ensure that community members in need have The nutritious food required to support The health and well-being of themselves and/or their families. During The year ended june 30, 2023, The Light House food programs provided over 84,000 meals, total unbagged, plus cafeteria( hot lunch, resident meals, etc) and distributed over 190,640 pounds of perishable and non-perishable pantry items.

Supportive housing - The Light House owns and operates five transitional housing properties throughout annapolis, which provides housing options for clients coming out of The Light House residential program. Transitional housing residents are provided with Light House case management and other services to guide them towards sustainable housing. Transitional housing properties include 1) one property providing affordable housing for five women, 2) three properties that provide affordable housing for families, and 3) one property that includes four supportive housing units for homeless men.

Job training - The Light House building employment success training (best) job readiness program prepares participants with The materials and skills they need to achieve their employment goals. Cohorts are hosted at The 10 hudson facility and The bistro social enterprise restaurant, and are provided soft skills, life skills, and technical skills focused through The lens of culinary training. The program is supported by a dynamic workforce development team to provide both critical supports and industry training, as well as by trained volunteers. Specifics of The curriculum include: resume development, interview preparation, employment search coaching, personal development workshops, and individualized case management to address employment barriers and develop employment goals. Offered credentials include servsafe, tips, and an array of self-modulated options through our national industry partner, restaurant ready, ranging from customer service, to knife skills, to sous/executive chef trainings. Additional, paid culinary arts training is available at The Light House bistro social enterprise restaurant.