The Lighthouse prevents child abuse and neglect by supporting families at times of crisis. We allow and encourage parents to bring their children ages newborn to five for emergency hourly or overnight care during difficult times, with the goal of keeping families together and reducing abuse, neglect and the number of children entering foster care.

The Lighthouse provides a variety of training classes and community outreach events, including stress management, parenting, teen pregnancy prevention and mental health classes. We also connects families with community resources and other nonprofits, lessening families’ dependence on public funds

As an approved Meal Sponsor through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), The Lighthouse has sponsored nutritious meals to youth-centered programs after school and during the summer for 15 years.

The Lighthouse understands that combining good nutrition and physical activity when school is out of session can help to prevent childhood hunger, curb obesity and provide children with the nutrition they need so they’re ready to learn when they return to school. Meals for both programs are provided to children ages 1-18 at no cost.


If you are interested in providing free meals for children in your summer of after-school program, you must:

• NOT be located on a LAUSD campus
• BE located in a low income area or a location where at least 50 percent of the enrolled children are eligible to receive free or reduced price school meals.
• HAVE an organized summer of after school program that consist of enrichment activities (dance, art ,homework assistance etc.)
• HAVE available space food hot boxes/warmers and/or refrigeration for the meals
• HAVE staff available to accept meal deliveries, distribute the meals and document meals served daily

If your program meets the above requirements, we can qualify you as a feeding site. Filling out our “On-Boarding Questionnaire will start the approval process.

CACFP meals are served during the school year providing all enrolled children with a nutritious supper and afternoon snack.  Children are introduced to a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein foods which helps to develop lifelong healthy eating habits.

Good nutrition is essential for learning in school. The SFSP provides an opportunity to continue a child's physical and social development while providing nutritious meals during summer months. Summer meals helps children return to school ready to learn.

Our menus are created according to CACFP and SFSP nutritional standards.
Under these standards, meals and snacks served include a greater variety of vegetables and fruit,
more whole grains, and less added sugar and saturated fat.

Milk, vegetables, whole grains and meat

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3) email: [email protected].

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.