OUR HISTORY

The “Restoring the Village Initiative" was founded in 2013 by former Florida State Representative Larry Lee, Jr. (House District 84) through his work with the Lighthouse Foundation. The focus of the initiative is to revitalize and restore the community of Lincoln Park where Representative Lee was raised. Larry grew up in this tight-knit middle class African American community during the 60s and early 70s in community made up of supportive and caring neighbors who valued their education and faith; had pride in their neighborhood and homes; and respected honesty, hard work and integrity. Over time, this African American neighborhood in the heart of coastal Fort Pierce has faced many challenges and economic hardships, fallen into disrepair, seen crime escalate - leading to an environment that has not supported youth success like it has in the past. 

The high school graduates of that era from 1968-1974 from Avenue O (aka "Larry’s street") included two cardiologists, an engineer, a dentist, two attorneys, two ministers, one State Representative and successful business entrepreneur, several professional athletes, business owners, educators, military personnel, community leaders and more. Lincoln Park produced achievers.

The vision of Larry Lee, Jr. and the Lighthouse Foundation is to restore the Lincoln Park community to a neighborhood that builds achievers, has successful businesses, and offers more opportunities for a better life to residents. Through a collaboration with local institutions, churches, government agencies, local businesses and the residents themselves, the Initiative has a collaborative goal to restore community, embrace worthy values, instill self-awareness, foster community pride, promote educational standards, support local entrepreneurship, and create non-traditional recreational opportunities to engage children in positive activities that stress critical core values and self-actualization.

   Restoring the Village projects have included:

* Creation of a $100,000 endowed Scholarship Fund to enable Lincoln Park graduates to attend Indian River State College (IRSC).

* Creation of a Scholarship Fund to support post secondary education of Lincoln Park graduates to attend other colleges and universities.

* Coordinating annual community clean-up weekends in which hundreds of youth, friends, neighbors, volunteers, and former residents help beautify Lincoln Park

* Annual Youth Education Symposiums that highlight the career paths of former residents of Lincoln Park who share their insights on success.

* Funding to provide opportunities for youth to access educational experiences.

The most recent project is the creation of the Lighthouse Youth Development Complex.This will be a 12,000 square foot Boys and Girls Club that provides a safe place for youth with opportunities for academic support, career exploration, work readiness training and more.  The Complex will house a 6-hole golf course, two soccer fields and a putt-putt course that will serve to provide recreational opportunities for youth and adults. There will be meeting and event space available and all operations will provide real-life learning opportunities for youth. The Club is partnering with Indian River State College to facilitate a comprehensive business plan and career training paths for youth.

With your support, we can continue efforts for Restoring the Village and overcoming the challenges that hold our youth back from success. Please join us by making a tax-free donation to The Community Foundation Martin – St Lucie, a 501(c)(3) agency, attention: Lighthouse Foundation Impact Fund. 

Donations of any size can be the difference in making the Lighthouse Youth Development Complex and future efforts a reality!