A Change For The Better

By Kendrick Callis


Staff Writer

A change is taking place at Edna Junior High one student at a time. Phrases “I love you,” “I'm sorry,” “please forgive me,” and “thank you” are the new buzz words being used on the campus. They are being used to replace hurtful, harmful, or otherwise belittling words that can be used to label, pick on or bully fellow students. Paul Beard, executive director of Lighthouse 2911, and his staff of seven are the creators behind the emotional and impactful "Be The Change" program that the district has implemented. Junior high principal Demetric Wells has seen the change first-hand as he had hand picked a diverse group of kids to attend to interact with one another.

"Lighthouse 2911 has transformed a lot of our students that have gone through the program," Wells said. "They share with the kids their life-changing experiences and the things they've gone through and do a wonderful job of relating to the kids and getting them to open up and understand things about bullying and respect for others’ feelings. I had four students who had been repeat offenders to the office and since going through the program they have not been in my office once."

Serving youth and their families, Lighthouse 2911 was founded six years ago by Beard and his wife. After noticing the steady decline in state funding for juvenile justice, Beard realized that more needed to be done for the youth in the seven county Golden Crescent area. The group started off working primarily with the juvenile justice centers but has branched out to reach as many high school and junior high students in Jackson, DeWitt, Lavaca and Gonzales counties with the Be The Change program hopefully to preempt the number of referrals to juvenile probation..

"We try to help kids see that regardless of what their situation may be at home or otherwise they can still be be positive members of society," said Beard. "If a young person knows that there is somebody in their corner and they are affirmed and lifted up, their attitude changes and they realize that they have a choice to either be a positive member of society or a negative member."

A pastor by trade and and avid collector of lighthouses, the name Lighthouse 2911 comes from the philosophy that like lighthouses that guide ships in the dark we are all supposed to be shining lights in our community to share the light to guide and prepare our youth for the future. Jeremiah 29:11 speaks about thoughts of peace and not evil and a future of hope.

Besides the Be The Change program, Lighthouse 2911 has the Positive Attitude and Life Skills (PALS) and the Parents in Crisis Program (PIC). PALS is a multi-faceted program directed at improving the attitude and life skill of youth. It is a drug-use and violence prevention and educational support program that includes support groups, social skills outings, a summer camp, education services and community service restitution. PIC is directed towards parents of troubled youth by offering support groups, support while their child may be going through the court system, workshops and parent liaisons.

It is evident that Beard and his staff all have a special place in their heart for kids. They work 50 weeks out of the year giving kids hope.The traveling counselors use First United Methodist Church twice a week to work with youth on juvenile probation. The more intense first offender program gets the kids to think what they were thinking when they did wrong, why and how they would correct it. The offenders must sign up to abide by a set of values when they begin the court-ordered program.

According to Steve Minch, juvenile probation officer for Jackson County, the recidivism rate is down on the number of first offenders who reoffend but the number of referrals to his office are up. "I have seen some noticeable improvements on some of the kids that are attending Lighthouse 2911. I am hopeful that the Be The Change program going into the schools will cut down on the number of kids referred to my office," said Minch.

During the Be The Change program students watch videos of a group of classmates from a high school who attend a camp to get to know one another and talk about their life and how they feel they are treated and fit in with the student body. Then in groups of five led by an adult leader, the youth openly talk about their own feelings and the effects of peer-pressure, bullying, suicide, drug-use. Emotions run high as each kid must stand in front of the group and tell what they learned.

"We are dedicated because we want to see a better future for our state and nation," said Beard.

Funding comes from various charitable foundation grants, yet donations and volunteers are always needed. For more information on Lighthouse 2911 or ways to donate or volunteer, go to their Website at www.lighthouse2911.org or email Paul Beard at lighthouse2911@msn.com.

Kendrick Callis

Jackson County Herald-Tribune

361-782-3547news@jacksonconews.com

What have I learned from LIGHTHOUSE 2911 and how will I apply it to my life and my community? Part 2

At LIGHTHOUSE 2911 I learn something every time I go to class. I’ve learned what to do in different situations. If I need to, I know how to deal with anger, sadness, difficult people, fights, and any other problem. I’ve learned that you can solve many problems and come out with a solution. I learned how other kids think, and the kind of problems they face, and the decisions they make. I also learned to ask someone if you need help with something.



I can apply what I learned in LIGHTHOUSE to almost anything in life. If I’m in a situation I can think back to LIGHTHOUSE and decide what to do. Specifically I will spend more time on making a choice.


In the community I can use it a lot too. All day you see hundreds of people, so all the people you talk to you rub off some of the LIGHTHOUSE kindness on them, because of how I talk different to them. AR - 17

How I Became A Lifesaver Surfing The Net‏

LIGHTHOUSE 2911 - How I Became A Lifesaver Surfing The Net‏


Let me tell you a little about LIGHTHOUSE 2911.

Our goal is to provide critically needed services to:

· challenged/disadvantaged families,

· youth offenders,

· youth offender siblings and friends,

· at risk and latch key children

· youth gang, and potential gang members

This will be accomplished by:

· improving participants' life skills,

· promoting family stability,

· reducing youth crime,

· providing a healthy foundation for a successful education, and

· providing a platform for appropriate youth accountability.



Presently, we offer these programs in four locations in the South Texas area with plans to branch out to other locations. But you're wondering how you can be a lifesaver just like I am. At GoodSearch.com we are allowed to search the internet and each time we search, they give a penny to LIGHTHOUSE 2911. If all my friends and all your friends, and all their friends search the internet just a couple of times a day, we could buy school supplies and snacks for each location and even offer some new after school programs just because we use GoodSearch.com. What if LIGHTHOUSE 2911 earned a penny every time you searched the Internet or shopped online? Well, now we can! GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it's powered by Yahoo!, so you get great results. GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates a percentage of each purchase to your favorite cause. More than 100 great stores including The Gap, Best Buy and Barnes and Nobel have teamed up with GoodSearch and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause. Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter LIGHTHOUSE 2911 as the charity you want to support. And be sure to spread the word! But that's not all. I would love to say Thank You to each one of you and let you know that you are a lifesaver also. Contact me at lighthouse2911@msn.com . Go to http://www.goodsearch.com/ and type in LIGHTHOUSE 2911 as your charity of choice.



Thanks so very much!



Paul Beard,



Executive Director, LIGHTHOUSE 2911



PS: Please share this with all your friends.

LIGHTHOUSE 2911 and Calvary Baptist Church in Cuero Support Cuero High School

We are proud to announce that through a combined donation, LIGHTHOUSE 2911 and Calvary Baptist Church presented three beautiful acoustic guitars to the CHS Guitar Club.  These instruments will be used to encourage the creative abilities of the youth who use them.  LIGHTHOUSE 2911's Executive Director, Paul Beard, stated that he enjoyed playing guitar as a youth and encouraged the youth of CHS to begin to play. Program Director Randy Layh invited the youth to seek opportunities like this and other opportunities to broaden their skills. We are proud to tagteam with Calvary Baptist Church in Cuero to bring about this opportunity for the youth in Cuero High School.  Look for more opportunities like this with Calvary Baptist Church and LH2911 to come together in the future.  We can't wait for the first presentation of some great music provided by the students of CHS.  Go Mean Green!

One Month to Live: Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life

One Month to Live: Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life

By Kerry and Chris Shook

The book is easy to read and the use of metaphors makes it very easy to understand and apply to your life. I read this book practically in one setting - just couldn't put it down because it has such great insight. I plan on re-reading it and following the 30 day plan to a life with no regrets. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Everyone can find useful insight to improve his or her life!


Reading One Month to Live has inspired me to rekindle those lost dreams. Sure, it's important to work hard and take care of our families, but it's also important to live the life we were made to live. Through the four principles discussed in the book: Live Passionately, Love Completely, Learn Humbly and Leave Boldly, I can now see new ways to bring my faded dreams back to life.



The book provides tools for starting to do little things that make a big difference. It's not about having to reinvent yourself or do a major overhaul of your life, it's about loving the people around you more pro-actively, doing things that you are passionate and excited about and serving others in the way that creates a lasting legacy.

Take the 30-Days to Live Challenge at www.OneMonthtoLive.com!

"Radical, by David Pratt, you will be challenged to see Christ'

In Radical, by David Pratt, you will be challenged to see Christ from a perspective that you may have not considered in the past.
Each of the opening chapters of RADICAL begin with a powerful story out of Platt's experiences among populations under severe persecution. He reflects on the contrast between their hunger for God's word and the typical person sitting and soaking in the pews of American churches.

This is an inspiring and excellent book. Platt's thoughtful emphasis on the "basics" of Christianity is truly radical, as true Biblical christianity has always been radical. His analysis of the American dream and how it conflicts on multiple levels with following Christ is likewise insightful and penetrating

Platt recommends five personal resolutions for radical life reformation:
1. Pray for the entire world
2. Read through the entire Word
3. Give my money sacrificially
4. Go on a mission trip
5. Commit to my local church
 Highly recommended Radical is a quick read, but not necessarily an easy one. If your heart is at all open to God, you will be challenged and inspired to action. I highly recommend it. This is a five star book. 

Living Life in the Zone is a Touchdown

 Living Life in the Zone: A 40-Day Spiritual Gameplan for Men by Kyle Rote Jr. and Dr. Joe Pettigrew 

is an outstanding book for anyone wanting to become closer to their spiritual being.  This book would be useful in any men's study group.  The devotionals are divided into 15-20 minute segments.  It is set in the tradition of a coach explaining the game of life. 
Some of the featured playmakers include: Charles Barkley, Bill Bates, Coach Bill Belichick, Larry Bird, Coach Bobby Bowden, James Brown, Coach Bear Bryant, Truett Cathy, Lee Corso, John Daly, Coach Tony Dungy, Clay Dyer, J.D. Gibbs, Mike Glenn, Coach Mike Gottfried, A.C. Green, David Green, Orel Hershiser, Coach Mike Homgren, Coach Lou Holtz, allan Houston, Wayne Huizenga Jr., Magic Johnson, Bobby Jones, Michael, Jordan, Coach Bobby Knight, Coach Tom Landry, Ken Lay, Coach Vince Lombardi, Archie Manning, Chris Mortensen, Joe Namath, Coach Tom Osborne, Terrell Owens, Bud Paxson, Scottie Pippen, Coach Mark Richt, Mark Sanford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, O.J.Simpson, Ron Springs, Coach Gene Stallings, Roger Staubach, Les Steckel, Bob Stoops, Joe Theismann, Michael Vick, Everson Walls, Kurt Warner, Bob Weiland, Reggie White, Coach John Wooden.

Each devotional will take about 15-20 minutes to read through allowing the devotion to sink in and make life changing events happen. This was an easy read and quite practical. Playing off the popular 40 Day model of studies, this book can be a great tool to help establish the personal discipline of reading or a men's group in your community. Each day's reading takes no more than a few minutes and could be fit into anyone's daily routine; early morning, lunch break or end of the day.  I would recommend this as a gift for the Men in your life, and I give it a 5 out of 5 stars.

Finally, this book will put you in the end zone with better relationships with your family, your friends, and yourself.