Welcome Rodney Matthews, our new Career Development Specialist at the Lighthouse Foundation!
Meet Rodney in person at the Level Up Conference
1: Register for Level Up Conference: Bit.ly/LFLUC26
2: Book your pre-conference resume review w/ Rodney: Bit.ly/RResume26
On this #MLKDay, we honor collaboration. Many think MLK organized the 1963 March on Washington, but it was A. Philip Randolph’s vision, led by Bayard Rustin—an openly gay Black man who shaped MLK’s nonviolent strategy. Happy MLK Day! Who do you fight alongside?
Congratulations to Dr. Allen Thomas, Senior Manager of Research & Evaluation, and Marcus Payne II, Senior Manager of Programs & Events 🎉
We’re excited to continue building growth and excellence with their leadership.
#LighthouseFoundation#Leadership
ALT Celebratory graphic from Lighthouse Foundation featuring Dr. Allen Thomas and Marcus Payne II standing side by side against a teal and orange background. Text reads “Congrats” and announces Dr. Thomas as Senior Manager of Research and Evaluation and Marcus Payne II as Senior Manager of Programs and Events, with the phrase “Building Growth and Excellence.”
Youth Activation 2026 is here!
We’re launching a 6-part workshop series to help young people build leadership, career skills, and community.
Your Mind Matters: Mental Health & Career
Jan 26, 2026 | 6:30 PM | Zoom
🔗 bit.ly/YourMindMattersWorksh…#YouthActivation2026#YourMindMatters
ALT Lighthouse Foundation promotional flyer for “Youth Activation Series 2026” (Zoom). Event date: Jan. 26, 2026, 6:30 PM–7:30 PM. Text asks “Are you age 18–25?” January topic: “Your Mind Matters” (Mental Health and Career Workshop). A smiling young person wrapped in a rainbow Pride flag appears on the right against a yellow gradient background, with a “Sign up today” callout.
Youth Activation 2026 is here!
We’re launching a 6-part workshop series to help young people build leadership, career skills, and community.
Your Mind Matters: Mental Health & Career
Jan 26, 2026 | 11 AM | Zoom
🔗 bit.ly/YourMindMattersWorksh…#YouthActivation2026#YourMindMatters
ALT Lighthouse Foundation promotional flyer for “Youth Activation Series 2026” (Zoom). Event date: Jan. 26, 2026, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM. Text asks “Are you age 18–25?” January topic: “Your Mind Matters” (Mental Health and Career Workshop). A smiling young person wrapped in a rainbow Pride flag appears on the right against a yellow gradient background, with a “Sign up today” callout.
We’re growing 🌱 and hiring!
Lighthouse Foundation is recruiting for full-time and contract roles across finance, communications, design, grants, and community leadership.
🔗 View open positions apply: lightfoundchi.org/jobs
Lighthouse Foundation is grateful to be one of many recipients of the Benevolence Microgrant.
Thank you NBJC!
Check out the statement from NBJC here: bit.ly/NBJCStatement
ALT People exchanging items outdoors during a community event promoting Giving Tuesday by Lighthouse Foundation.
ALT three photos arranged diagonally on a blue background with soft glowing circles. The first shows a Black woman smiling with her hand near her face during an event. The second shows three Black queer people sitting together on a beach, smiling and posing. The third shows a panel discussion with three Black speakers seated in front of a Lighthouse Foundation Chicago backdrop. Below in white text reads: “Support the work Lighthouse Foundation Chicago is doing, we encourage you to donate today.”
ALT Green piggy bank with arrows showing money contributions from employee and company match above text about employers matching charitable donations.
ALT Three diverse individuals sitting together, promoting donations for Light Found Chi with a call to action and website link.
Calling all bars, cafés & restaurants!
Join #LightTheWay by creating a Signature Holiday Drink or Dish and donating $1–$3 per purchase.
Support Black LGBTQ programs in Chicagoland. Let’s light the way together. ✨ Register at lightfoundchi.org/lightthewa…
💸 CASH FOR YOUR THOUGHTS
Black LGBTQ and ages 18–24? We want your insight to help guide our 2026 programming. Spread the joy—refer a friend and share this post! Visit bit.ly/Cash4Thoughts to learn more
Trans Day of Remembrance honors Rita Hester, a Black trans woman murdered in 1999. Let’s confront anti-trans violence, especially against Black and brown trans women. Uplift the living. Rest in power, Girlalala. 🕊️🏳️⚧️
Join the Lighthouse Foundation's Day of Play Planning Committee. We especially want to hear from members or leaders connected to 🌈sports leagues or Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) We need your ideas to make it unforgettable! Email @mpayne@lightfoundchi.org to join the committee!
It's not too late to register for our two upcoming opportunities to build community and drive growth in racial equity across Chicagoland. Register at bit.ly/RacialEquityTraining2… and bit.ly/LFCARE.
Join us for this month's BQC meeting where we'll be joined by with Natalie Malone to talk about women's sexual & holistic wellness. RSVP today at bit.ly/OpenBQC.
Open conversations about sexuality and wellness help create sex-positive environments for all. Our dynamic Sexplosion event will feature an array of vendors like House of Blxck and Trxde Apparel. Explore what our vendors have to offer and sign up for free! bit.ly/LFSexplosion
Today we honor the life of the South Side’s #MissMajor, a Black transgender activist and advocate for liberation. She transformed the fight for trans liberation into a movement grounded in love, survival, and care. Rest in Power, Miss Major—your light will forever guide us home.
Happy #NationalComingOutDay! Coming out as LGBTQ takes courage that can be hard to find. Every time we boldly step into our sexual identities, we help create more inclusive communities everywhere. Help us continue supporting #BlackLGTBQ communities: lightfoundchi.org/donate
Open conversations about sexuality help create sex-positive environments for all. Our Sexplosion event will feature sex-worker led panels, discussions with sex therapists, along with wellness activities like sound baths for you to enjoy! Sign up for free: bit.ly/LFSexplosion