Our Mentorship Programs 

Life-Changing Programs for At-Risk Boys

The Lighthouse for Boys is a non-profit, faith-based organization that provides a safe haven for elementary and middle school-aged, at-risk boys. Through our programs, we teach them interpersonal life skills through mentoring, giving back to the community and general education. We strive to help the boys improve themselves and their local community.

One of our goals is educating the boys through tutoring programs for all five major education platforms.

Our Group Activities

The activities at The Lighthouse for Boys include, but are not limited to, mentoring trips that improve skill sets, tutoring programs, outreach, and provide delicious meals. We also have fun with sports and other group activities, such as basketball games and pontoon boat rides. Other activities include:

• Daily basketball games divided up between 2 groups (young boys/older guys)
• Football, Soccer, Kickball, and various other outdoor sports
• Pontoon boat rides at Lake Norman
• Indoor go-cart racing at Victory Lanes
• Field trips to the following:
• Big Air Trampoline Park
• Indoor Laser Quest
• Great Wolf Lodge Water Park
• Carowinds Amusement Park
• Discovery Place
• Cordelia Outdoor Pool Complex
• Carolina Panthers, Hornets, and Knight’s games

Volunteer as Our Newest Mentor

If you're interested in becoming one of our mentors, call (704) 905-2778 or  visit  our community house in person at 336 Skyland Ave in the Grier Heights neighborhood of Charlotte to see what we do. You can also email Karl at ktschueneman1@gmail.com.

We only ask for a 2- to 4-hour investment of your time to join our staff. Please note you will be required to undergo a background check, as all our mentors do before they interact with the boys.

Donations Gladly Accepted

If you wish to help support The Lighthouse for Boys financially, donations are always welcome. All funds are used to feed the children and provide them with a stable foundation of love, learning, and laughter by maintaining the community house and paying for the boys' activities.

Certainly Not a One Man Show

I have been blessed with a wonderful, loving, and caring staff of individuals that have the same spiritual background, dedication, and desire to provide for the elementary school-aged boys of Grier Heights Neighborhood. We strive to give the boys the spiritual foundation, belief, and strength to become intelligent, strong, productive members of their community for years to come.

Current Sponsors

Our Focus/Our Rules

Reading scripture and praying is our primary focus. We provide scripture readings that can help our boys to navigate through life’s challenges every day and help them to realize that there is a God that loves them. The boys are taught the following:

• Love God first and then your neighbor as yourself; Matthew 22:37-40
• Basic life skills, etiquette, and manners
• Respect for parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, police, and all people in authority
• Schoolwork, athletics, and team sports
• Love and respect for ALL people
• Anger management, anti-bullying, and anti-drug/alcohol

Every Saturday at 11:00 AM, we begin our day with the reading of different scriptures that have touched our hearts with regard to our boys. As expected, not everyone is going through the same challenges, and with the advent of COVID-19, it set our boys' academic and personal lives into a tailspin.

School was already difficult enough for some of our kids, but a few with strong parent(s) were able to navigate that journey, but they were the exception.

Our focus is on developing a prayer life, reading the Bible, and loving one another! Oh yes, I know, in this day and age, to the world, that sounds hopeless and boring? But it’s not the case with us.

There’s a great POWER in prayer. As a matter of fact, it’s the strongest weapon at our disposal!! And if used wisely, and often, one will develop a strong personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

After we’ve spent the first 30 minutes discussing their issues, our scripture direction, or just what’s going on in their lives, we let the boys go out to play ball.

We have a large concrete slab with 2 hoops at either end. One side for older boys and the other for 7-10-year-olds This is where we observe each individual child and assess their needs physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Discipline is also applied when things get out of control… We NEVER lay a hand on the child, but we do emphatically let them know there will be repercussions if the bad behavior continues. Usually, that involves taking a child home.

Our focus is on the Lord, the family unit, respect, self-control, and a lot of food and fun! But if you can’t play by our rules, you will be dismissed and if matters continue, expelled for 4 weeks! Upon completion of this time, the child will be on a probationary term while a close observation of his behavior is maintained. 

We are constantly going out to eat at our favorite restaurants, grilling out in our backyard, or going on selective field trips. Proper behavior is always expected, especially when we're away from our home. Boys are going to make mistakes and have accidents (and we're very much aware of that), but malicious behavior will not be tolerated. Good behavior will be rewarded!!