Sefa and Lighthouse Foundation
A high impact loan in 2021 supported Lighthouse Foundation’s sustainability and growth
Helped open a new home for young people with complex needs
Expanded foster and kinship care programs
Prevented closure of vital services during a critical transition
For more than 34 years, Lighthouse Foundation has been a steady light for young people who’ve experienced homelessness and trauma. Its homes and programs provide therapeutic care, connection and a sense of belonging.
At the heart of Lighthouse’s work is what CEO Brenda Boland calls “a model of care that places young people at the centre.”
“We work with them to create a sense of community and belonging,” Brenda explains. “It’s about developing their resilience and connection – with family, with culture and people who care.”
The team supports young people to heal, reconnect safely with family, and grow at their own pace. There are no time limits or arbitrary cut-offs.
“We don’t have a throughput model or say, ‘You’re here for six months and then you move on,’” Brenda says. “We move at their pace. Healing from trauma takes time.”
The power of feeling seen and supported
Many of the young people who come to Lighthouse have endured instability and loss. The organisation’s On for Life program ensures that even after they move on, they’re never alone.
Brenda recalls one young woman who was nervous and hesitant about holding and showing affection to her baby. Cindy blossomed into a confident and self-assured mother. The special moments shared with her son Jackson, including his very first steps and first words, were built upon the strong bond the two developed throughout their time at Lighthouse.
Over her two years with Lighthouse, Cindy and Jackson’s development was inspiring. They were ready for their next chapter, making the move to Mildura and living happily together as a family. Staying true to their promise, Lighthouse’s therapeutic carers helped Cindy and Jackson with their move and made sure they were settled into their new loving home, like any caring family unit would.
Ben, Lighthouse carer, shares, “I have had the incredible privilege of witnessing Lucinda overcome immense challenges and grow into a remarkable young woman. Her journey fills me with an overwhelming sense of pride”.
Lighthouse understands that the road to healing is not always easy, but together, they can make a difference to young vulnerable lives when they need them most.
Backing a turning point for Lighthouse
In 2021, Lighthouse received a loan from Sefa. For many not-for-profits, taking on debt can feel daunting, but for Lighthouse it became a turning point.
“Everyone’s anxious taking out debt – it’s not something you do lightly,” says Brenda. “But it was a game changer for us. It enabled us to reorganise how we were functioning and become more sustainable without reducing the number of young people we were supporting.”
The loan gave Lighthouse the breathing room to update its operating model and expand its services. It helped open a new home for three young people with complex needs, strengthen the foster care program and build their confidence in managing future growth.
Brenda says Sefa’s support also built financial confidence.
“Sefa really understood who we were and what we were doing. They helped us work through the risks and asked the right questions. It helped us strengthen our governance and sustainability mindset.”
Keeping the doors open and the mission strong
Without the loan from Sefa, Lighthouse would have needed to reduce services to young people to manage cashflow.
“We probably would have had to close down a number of programs,” Brenda says. “That’s the most important thing – we were able to keep going and keep building.”
Her advice to other community organisations thinking about taking on finance is clear.
“Weigh up the real cost of it all,” Brenda says. “Applying for grants takes a lot of time and can be really disheartening. If you’ve got an idea that will build sustainability, a loan like this can really help – but you need to be clear on your plan and do your homework.”
Today, Lighthouse is evaluating its Kinship program with support from the Jack Brockhoff Foundation and Monash University and expanding family support. The focus remains the same, helping families heal and keeping young people connected and safe.
For Brenda, that’s what Lighthouse is all about. “We don’t replace families. We bolster them. And we make sure every young person knows they’ll always have a place to come back to.”