FAQ’s

Why are you building a child honoring community? Shouldn’t the needs of others, like senior citizens, be considered too?

Our emphasis on a child honoring community originates from these core values and beliefs: Ensuring that children grow up safe, secure and optimistic about their future and world is essential to everyone, as today’s children will bring forth tomorrow’s reality. For adults to truly honor and support children, they must, themselves, serve as role models of respect and honor toward themselves and all others. Once the idea of self and mutual respect takes root deeply within a person, it cannot help but branch out to others. We start with children as the imperative and unifying cause, but understand fully that a “child honoring community” is truly a “people honoring community” devoted to holding precious the development and nurturing of all human potential.

We already have a great community that is very generous on behalf of children. Why do we need The Lighthouse Project?

We agree that our community already invests significantly in its children, and this is one of the reasons why we feel very excited about the potential to extend all the good that already happens here into a truly child honoring community. We use the analogy of a ‘petri’ dish for our little mountain community. We are a fairly small, static population without many of the challenges of more fluid and fluxuating communities in other areas. Our geographic isolation makes us an ideal location for a great “social experiment”, such as the Lighthouse Project, in which we can proactively create a community culture of our own design through connection, language, stories and a common vision for the future.

I understand the philosophy of The Lighthouse Project and I think it’s a great idea. But, what am I supposed to DO?

Believe it or not, it can be as easy as simply “dreaming this dream” with us. History has shown that when large groups of people share a social consciousness, changes will begin to happen – similar to the beginnings of our own country! Remind yourself of our vision on a regular basis, and take small steps in your own life to make it a reality. Here is a list of just a few of those small steps you can consider:

1. •Greet young people or ask simple questions as a way of taking initiative in building relationships
   

2. •Respect and affirm youth and children and expect respect in return.
   

3. •Seek to understand young people.
   

4. •Believe in and take good care of yourself
   

5. •Attend young people’s sporting, arts, or other events
   

6. •Look for the good in others and seek common ground with them
   

7. •Engage in healthy relationships with young people, elders and peers
   

8. •If you are a parent, invite other caring, responsible adults to be part of your children’s lives
   

9. •Talk with young people about personal values, beliefs, decisions, and cultural differences
   

10. •Model positive behaviors including kindness, lifelong learning, civic engagement, and self-restraint
    

11. •Forgive mistakes, yet hold people accountable
    

12. •Know how to apologize, explain, negotiate and resolve conflicts peacefully
    

13. •Encourage young people to succeed in school, serve their communities, and be valuable resources through your words and actions
    

Beyond these things, come to our monthly meetings to renew the vision. Get involved in one of the volunteer initiatives we have to offer, such as Mix It Up events or Peace Builders. Donate to sponsor the expansion of Peace Builders to other local schools. Talk to your friends and neighbors about The Lighthouse Project, and encourage them to come to a meeting and bring a friend.

Can I donate money to The Lighthouse Project?

Yes, The Lighthouse Project is a 501c3 non profit corporation. Make checks payable to “The Lighthouse Project”, and mail to: P.O. Box 100, Fawnskin, CA, 92333.