When LightHouse Women’s and Children’s Shelter of Reading, Berks County, opened, organizers knew they wanted to create more than just a place for women and children to sleep.
“We wanted to create a place where families could heal, grow and experience hope,” said Kate Alley, executive director at LightHouse.
Last year, they brought this thought to life through the building of a playground space.
Kate Alley, Executive Director of Lighthouse. (Photo submitted by LightHouse)
“Playgrounds are places for children to simply be kids, find connection, belonging, and joy.”
The playground has had a very positive impact on the entire community, beyond all the benefits the children reap from their time spent there.
“For the children, it provides a safe place to run, climb, laugh, and make friends,” she said. “It gives them an opportunity to release energy, build confidence, and experience the simple joys of childhood.”
Peace of mind
For parents, Alley said it provides peace of mind knowing their children have a safe place to play while they focus on the work of rebuilding their lives.
“For the broader community, it sends a powerful message that children experiencing homelessness deserve beautiful spaces too,” Alley said. Every child deserves opportunities to play, dream, and thrive regardless of their circumstances.”
The playground at LightHouse enables children to get physical activity in a safe environment. (Photo submitted by LightHouse)
For safety reasons, Alley said the playground was designed primarily for the women and children who live at LightHouse, but they also wanted it to be a welcoming presence in the neighborhood.
“Through a partnership with Mike Miller and Alvernia University’s Total Experience Learning program, we created a beautiful public art installation called ‘Sanctuary in Color,’ featuring butterflies and bees along the playground fence line,” she said.
Children at LightHouse experience joy and make new friendships at their playground, which was established last year. (Photo submitted by LightHouse)
“While the playground itself is reserved for their residents, the artwork can be enjoyed by everyone in the community and serves as a reminder that LightHouse is committed to being a positive and vibrant part of the neighborhood.”
Hub of activity
With the weather being optimal for outdoor play these days, the playground is usually a hub of activity and is considered one of the most loved spaces at LightHouse. We currently have 62 residents living at LightHouse, which currently houses 30 adults and 32 children.
“The playground is busy almost every day,” Alley said. “The children are constantly running, climbing, swinging, and creating games together. It’s become one of the most popular areas on our campus.”
Building friendships
What she finds has been especially rewarding is seeing children of different ages playing together, building friendships, and enjoying being outside.
The playground established by the LightHouse enables children who live at the shelter to have outdoor time while also getting physical activity. (Photo submitted by LightHouse)
“Those moments of normal childhood experiences are incredibly valuable,” Alley said.
The overall vision of the playground was to create a space that is welcoming, inclusive, and restorative.
“We wanted a playground where children of varying ages and abilities could play together in a safe space,” she said. “Accessibility was important to us because every child deserves the opportunity to participate and have fun.
Community effort
LightHouse’s playground was a community effort that was made possible through support from foundations, businesses, churches, community organizations, and individual donors.
“They believed in creating a place of joy and healing for children experiencing homelessness,” Alley said.
“I would especially like to thank the many donors who made this vision possible, especially Giorgi Family Foundation, Neag Foundation, Calvary Bible Fellowship, as well as our partners at Willow Playworks, General Recreation Inc, and Alvernia University’s Total Experience Learning program. Every contribution, large and small, helped transform an empty space into something truly special for the children we serve.”
What has been most inspiring is seeing so many people come together around a simple belief: every child deserves a safe place to play and thrive.
What has the playground brought to the community that was not there before in terms of how it has likely enriched it?
The playground has brought something that goes beyond equipment and structures — it has provided opportunities for healthy play, friendship, and healing for the children living at LightHouse. For parents, it offers a place where they can watch their children simply enjoy being kids during a difficult season in life.
A place of beauty and activity
For the broader community, the playground stands as a visible reminder that our neighborhood values children and families. It has transformed an outdoor space into a place of beauty, activity, and hope, enriching both our campus and the surrounding community.
“It’s wonderful to look outside and see children climbing, swinging, racing from one activity to the next, and hearing their laughter fill the air. The playground has become a gathering place where friendships are formed, confidence is built, and children can simply enjoy being children,” Alley said.
“One of my favorite things is seeing children who may have arrived at LightHouse carrying the weight of difficult circumstances forget about those worries and simply play,” she said. “Those moments of joy are incredibly meaningful.”
For more information, visit www.hopeforreading.org/lighthouse and check out this short video about LightHouse at https://vimeo.com/1173000151.