LifeLine Program – Shining Light Homes

Since 2012, Shining Light Homes (SLH) (a 501c3 non-profit organization), has been the realization of Patti Johnson’s lifelong dream. As the Founder and Executive Director, Patti’s experience as a young, single mother became the catalyst for helping others in similar situations overcome the challenges of raising children on their own. SLH provides mothers with education and resources, empowering them to break the cycle that causes them to become homeless and avoid making decisions that jeopardize their welfare and safety.

Between 2012 and 2017, Shining Light Homes made a significant impact by addressing the immediate needs of single mothers and their children. The organization provided over 10,000 diapers and wipes, clothing to more than 30 mothers and 100 babies, monthly food assistance to over 20 families, rental and temporary housing support to over 20 single-mother households, and transportation assistance to more than 50 mothers.

Since opening its doors in 2012, made a significant impact by addressing the immediate needs of single mothers and their children. From 2012 to 2017, SLH identified a troubling pattern: many clients were untrained, lacked access to healthcare and education, and were unaware of available resources. This lack of access perpetuated a cycle of hardship, leaving mothers “stuck” without safe housing, reliable transportation, dependable childcare, or a livable-wage job. Losing access to any one of these critical areas often had devastating consequences, forcing difficult decisions that could lead to homelessness and further instability.

2017 LifeLine Program Launch
In 2017, SLH launched the LifeLine Program, a comprehensive program to help clients break free from cycles of hardship and achieve self-sufficiency. The program focuses on four key areas:

stable housing,
reliable transportation,
affordable childcare,
and a livable-wage job.

The objective of the LifeLine Program is for each client to progress through a LifeLine Plan to address immediate needs, secure stable housing, obtain reliable transportation, and gain education or training for long-term financial stability. This structured approach empowers SLH clients to achieve independence, typically within a two year period.

Initiatives of the LifeLine Program:

Light of Hope: This initiative addresses the client’s immediate needs. With the support of donations and local resource partners, SLH provides essential items such as food, baby formula, diapers, wipes, and other necessities to ensure daily needs are met during this critical time. SLH has formed a partnership with St. Andrews Methodist Church. As part of this partnership, St. Andrews is donating $200 per month to assist with monthly bills and other necessities.

Light of Sanctuary: This initiative emphasizes creating a safe and stable environment for clients to live and raise their children. Shining Light Homes helps connect clients with a trusted family member or a secure resource as an interim solution, ultimately guiding them toward securing a home of their own. During this process, SLH also supports clients in finding a livable-wage job and reliable childcare, laying the foundation for long-term stability and independence.

Light of Freedom: This initiative focuses on ensuring secure and reliable transportation. Many of our clients lack a driver’s license or have never completed a driver’s education course. SLH provides the necessary training and support to help them obtain a driver’s license, bringing them one step closer to achieving transportation independence and greater self-sufficiency. In December two of our clients were given cars by Amc911 Craw Space & Foundation Repair.

Light of Discovery: SLH empowers clients with education and training to secure livable-wage careers while equipping them with essential life skills for long-term stability and success. Workshops cover topics such as credit repair, budgeting, resume building, interviewing, time management, goal setting, parenting, and more. For specialized education, clients are referred to partners like Bryant & Stratton University, Mercy Chefs, and others. In 2024, SLH funded a client’s PCA certificate, launching her healthcare career, and another client received a car through a donation, enabling her to take a medical billing and coding test in early 2025—paving the way for a sustainable income.

Light of Opportunity: SLH believes that education and training empower single mothers to build sustainable careers with livable wages. Through the Light of Opportunity initiative, our goal is to equip clients with the education, training, and skills needed to secure stable employment with competitive pay, benefits, and opportunities for advancement.