Congregation Liaison: Outreach and Servant Ministries Committee
Lantern Hill is located outside of Ensenada, Mexico, 100 miles south of San Diego, California. It was started in 2007 by Abby and JJ Williams in an effort to respond to the most basic needs of every person; to love, care for and educate the children and families of Canon Buenavista.
The mission of Lantern Hill is to break the cycle of poverty, with a vision of loving, healthy and educated children and families with unlimited opportunities.
Their strategy is to create sustainable, measurable, long-term love, care and education programs that give each person the opportunity to change their present and their future.
To better facilitate operations, two nonprofit entities work to support the work of Lantern Hill:
Linterna del Camino (Lantern Hill) concentrates on the day to day operations in Mexico. Lantern Hill educates, feeds and cares for children at its education center, and supports the higher education of its graduates. It welcomes volunteer groups to partner with to further its mission and build relationships in the community. A group of twelve from Saint Andrew’s volunteered at Lantern Hill in July 2019.
Friends of Lantern Hill was formed with the purpose of supporting Linterna del Camino through grants and mission trip support. It is a nonprofit United States corporation.
Saint Andrew’s supported Lantern Hill with the 2019 Mission Trip and continues to support Lantern Hill through budgeted funds and offerings from Sunday Church School youth.
Current Opportunities:
Christmas in July! ~ July 2024
Christmas is Coming Here! The Saint Andrew’s Family is celebrating Christmas early this year – in July. Because of the overwhelming need at two of our favorite children’s organizations, KidVantage and Lantern Hill, we’re collecting monetary donations, toys, and clothing.
In July, you will find a Christmas tree in the Narthex. Tags on the Christmas tree suggest what monetary donations can provide for Lantern Hill. Make checks payable to Saint Andrew’s Lutheran Church with “Lantern Hill” on the memo line.
Lantern Hill provides educational support and meals to 100 children. During the school year this involves help with homework and challenging assignments, support and motivation for their learning and snacks for hungry bellies. During the summer, when school is out, there is summer programming with tons of new programs, engaging activities and hungry mouths to feed.
How our donations help the children at Lantern Hill:
(Examples of what your donations can accomplish.)
$10 – 10 meals for students. This includes the cost of food and staff to prepare.
$15 – 1 bus pass for 1 week to allow a student to get to High School or University.
$25 – 1 teacher’s salary for 1 day
$25 – 1 student uniform per year
$50 – Water costs per week. This includes water for facilities as well as bottled water for drinking.
$100 – 3 weeks of electricity and internet for the program
$250 – 1 month rent on the 2 properties we need to rent for the program
$500 – University tuition for 1 student for 1 year
*** All donations will go to supporting the kids and the program.
Anytime:
Funds to support Lantern Hill’s work are welcome. Contribute with a check payable to Saint Andrew’s, with “Lantern Hill” in the memo line.
February 25, 2024:
We were excited to have Abby Williams, Director of Lantern Hill, join us at church on February 25. Abby shared her inspiring story about the early years of Lantern Hill, the mission of the program with updates regarding current events, and her vision and goals for the future of the school and the children who attend. Abby also provided information about the additional building that is being purchased and the impact the space will have on not only the program but the entire community, because the school is a beacon of hope and inspiration.
Recording of Lantern Hill Presentation
A fun, fundraising lunch followed church. Lantern Hill is grateful for the $3100 received in donations to support this program and building project!