City of Bridgeport

Tammy Papa Visit the Lighthouse Program Web Site

Lighthouse Program

Address:
45 Lyon Terrace
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Tel (203) 576-7252
Fax (203) 576-7239

Contact E-Mail:
Lighthouse Program

Department Information:
Description of Program

"Lighthouse is the Community" (The Lighthouse-Program) is an innovative school/community program sponsored by the City of Bridgeport, the Mayor, the School Department, and the Department. of Youth Services. It receives local, state and federal funding.

The Lighthouse Program brings together community sponsorship in Bridgeport schools to provide students with a safe and supportive environment after school, Saturdays. and during the summer. The Program provides educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities to Bridgeport's students through a diversified approach to programming. It also includes athletic and recreational activities designed to motivate participants.

The Lighthouse Program operates at twenty-nine school sites each with a site. coordinator or co- site coordinators) who work with school and community staff to provide the activities. Each site. is.operated by partner agency under. contract with the City of Bridgeport.. Sponsoring agencies include the YMCA, ABCD, Ralphola Taylor Center, Charles Smith Education Center, Cardinal Shehan.Center, Child Guidance, ASPIRA, Progressive Training, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Hall Neighborhood House and the Kennedy Center.

Among the specific after school activities provided across. the. site are: homework.assistance, computer instruction, board games, basketball, karate, arts and crafts, swimming, drill team, math and science clubs, Lightspan activities, monthly Thematic Units, open recreation, special education, volleyball, health and nutrition courses, magic games, young authors, tennis instruction,. theatre, dance; art, music and Voyager Learning.

The Lighthouse Program is designed to blend community and school visions in a unique approach to give Bridgeport's youth an opportunity to learn, relax and interact with.peers and significant adults in a safe and supervised school environment. Additionally, it provides comfort and.support to family members, many of whom work.in the crucial after schools hours of 2:00 - 6:00.

Although the program was initiated for different reasons, it is based upon the premise that the student population faces a variety of community, family, school and peer risk factors that must be addressed on a preventative basis. The concept of using extended school time to address these factors is a research-based proven practice, providing that educational, recreational and enrichment components are properly blended, supervised and implemented.

For our older student population, we offer an Ar t and Humanities Community Learning Center Program at Bassick High School. This program's four main components, three of whicha are fully operational provide youth and the community with health screenings, exercise programs, film school opportunities, library services and child care instructian programs that segue youth into higher education programs. Additionally, the Lighthouse office employs well over 200 youth ages 16-18 through its training and employmemt-program.