Lighthouse for Broken Wings

Lighthouse for Broken Wings (LFBW) is a house for the homeless, founded by Toni Short, a nonprofit 501c3 organization located in eastern Sussex County, DE. We are dedicated to helping those who are without homes to regain their status in the community and to always have a place to call home. It is a direct personal development program to improve the quality of life for all of the individuals in the home. 

 Currently, Lighthouse for Broken Wings is expanding its services to provide emergency shelter for more individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly during the upcoming cold-weather season. This fundraiser called, “A Sheltering Heart,” is raising money that will be used to house people without homes who are currently living on the streets. The individuals and families we help will receive a roof over their heads, a warm bed to sleep in, and food for their stomachs. It is imperative to house people all year round, but especially during the cold winter season. Lighthouse for Broken Wings is preparing to provide temporary housing for forty or more individuals this winter as long as the funds are available.

 Your donation to Lighthouse for Broken Wings- A Sheltering Heart is fully tax-deductible. We greatly appreciate your donations, large and small. For more information about the history of our charity, read on.

 From Toni:

 “LFBW began in the parking lot behind Wal-Mart. I was homeless and in the parking lot with other homeless individuals. I began listening to their stories. The planning for LFBW began in 2015 after my second year on the streets. This life-changing experience enabled me to develop a transitional program that has become the foundation of LFBW. 

 In 2016, LFBW became a reality in the rural part of Lewes. The doors opened with eight individuals that had been residing in their cars behind Wal-Mart in the winter of January 2016. The residents’ needs varied, from having mental disabilities, behavioral disabilities, physical disorders, medical and social disabilities.   A total of 25 individuals participated in the program in its first year. 

In addition, other organizations used our facility for crisis intervention of individuals that needed emergency sheltering such as law enforcement, churches, behavioral medical facilities. 

 In 2017, Lighthouse for Broken Wings found a more permanent home in Harbeson, DE. In the past four 1/2 years, the program has helped a total of 50 individuals get back on their feet. The house is co-ed, with clients ranging in age from 21 to 71 years old, from various ethnicities. Each resident may have similar histories but each is unique overall. The residents are allowed to be themselves without any ridicule or discrimination.

 Each resident is accountable for Equal Shared Housing Expenses of $125.00 per week obtained by part-time to full-time employment. Each resident must complete five to ten hours of community services per month. The goals for each resident are to be independent and employed along with learning about the available community and personal resources to facilitate reentry into the community with strong skills, knowledge, and financial stability in order to maintain a home of their own. 

 A local psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and a therapist are seeing the residents for evaluation and therapy. In addition, La Red, Delaware Behavioral Health, Beebe Medical Center, Milford Hospital, Stockly Center, and other medical providers are servicing our residents. The residents are encouraged to attend support groups of their choice, including community programs, church, and more. The length of time at LFBW’s house may vary according to the individual resident. Some of the factors may consist of functioning level, ADL’s, disability, criminal history, supportive needs, and one’s own evaluation. On the other hand, others may need to refine their skills and are ready to move into the community independently. Regardless of their length of stay, each resident possesses the willingness to change their situation and behaviors to become a productive member of the community/society. 

In 2020, the "A Sheltering Heart" program provided emergency shelter during the wintery season. The populations served are experiencing homelessness in Eastern Sussex County.  Lighthouse for Broken Wings served 150 individuals including families, physical disabilities, and the elderly, provided 30,000+ lunches and 25,000+ dinners, two clients graduated from Sussex Tech Adult School, local hotels, and 250+ volunteers. 

In conclusion, our program is rebuilding, re-entering, and re-viewing ourselves to become stronger individuals. This is a new beginning for each one of us and a closing of the old lifestyle and personal characteristics. We should have open minds, positive attitudes and behaviors, and an abundance of energy to meet the challenges in the near future.