About Us

The light is always on, and the door is always open at Lighthouse Youth & Family Services. Every young person seeking help is welcome.

Lighthouse is a safe space that promotes hope and healing in our community. We provide inclusive and affirming care for all young people, and every young person and family are treated with dignity and respect.

Helping young people & families heal and reach their full potential since 1969

What We Do

Lighthouse provides a wide range of trauma-informed services to help young people and families heal and grow. Whether it’s therapy, residential treatment, foster care, emergency shelter, or housing, every young person receives personalized care and unconditional support to thrive.

• Your First Step to Help
• Foster Care and Adoption
• GROW: Preventing Youth Homelessness
• Help for Homeless Young Adults 18-24
• Community Juvenile Justice Services
• Lighthouse Clinic
• OhioRISE
• Outpatient Mental Health Services
• Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP)
• Residential Treatment Services
• Resources for LGBTQ+ Youth
• Safe Shelter for Youth 10-17

• Your First Step to Help

  Get connected to the services you need when you need them Learn More

  

  Foster Care and Adoption

  Be the somebody. You can make a difference in a child’s life Learn More

  

  GROW: Preventing Youth Homelessness

  Gaining Resources, Opportunity & Wellness Learn More

  

  Help for Homeless Young Adults 18-24

  Services aimed at helping young adults create a plan for self-sufficiency Learn More

  

  Community Juvenile Justice Services

  Specialized services help deter youth from repeating risky behaviors Learn More

  

  Lighthouse Clinic

  Helping young people achieve optimal health through expert, convenient, and holistic care Learn More

  

  OhioRISE

  A first-of-its-kind program in Ohio for young people with complex needs Learn More

  

  Outpatient Mental Health Services

  Expert and compassionate care so children, youth and families can heal, grow and thrive Learn More

  

  Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP)

  Program focused on teen pregnancy prevention and preparation for adult responsibilities Learn More

  

  Residential Treatment Services

  Safe and welcoming places where teens heal through nurturing, accountability, and guidance Learn More

  

  Resources for LGBTQ+ Youth

  Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) youth are dramatically over-represented in the homeless youth population Learn More

  

  Safe Shelter for Youth 10-17

  Care and support for youth and their families through prevention, crisis intervention and long-term service Learn More

  Children and youth sleeping under a Lighthouse roof each night.

  Volunteers making a difference each year.

  Children, youth and families served each year.

  You Can Make a Difference

  Donate now and help us continue to serve children,
  youth and families when and where they need it most.
  Your investment will have an impact.

  Lighthouse News

  Cincinnati Herald: Life-changing therapy at Lighthouse Youth Center at Paint Creek

  The team at Paint Creek provides outstanding evidence-based care, using relationship-building and therapy to encourage the development of coping and self-regulation skills. There’s also life skills training, sports and recreation, and education.

  Cincinnati Herald: At Lighthouse Youth & Family Services, ‘the light is always on’

  “Every day in Cincinnati as many as 87 young people are experiencing homelessness,” said Paul Haffner, president and CEO, Lighthouse Youth & Family Services. “Right now, we are collaborating with community partners on a new prevention plan called Gaining Resources, Opportunity and Wellness (GROW). This initiative creates a safety net of support and resources for young people at risk of homelessness to catch them before the risk becomes reality.”