After working 14 years in the automotive industry, Jason was ready for a change. He was headed to Bellingham and hoped for a new beginning, but life did not unfold the way he expected. After things took a wrong turn, he found himself homeless in Seattle. Jason eventually made his way to Bellingham, where he discovered the Lighthouse Mission. “Everybody was kind to me,” Jason remembers. “And so I just fell right in.” As Jason took part in the Mission’s Enhanced Shelter Program, he began to rebuild his life. After graduating from the program, he received an opportunity to join the team at Liminal Coffee. Liminal (literally, a space between two places) is the Mission’s coffee shop and part of the vocational training program.
More than a job
Working at Liminal was a new experience for Jason. It was his first time working as a barista. But Jason took to the task immediately. It became an important step toward getting back on his feet. “I’m thankful for the blessing and the opportunity,” he says. Jason was actually invited to join Liminal after others at the Mission recognized his potential and recommended him for the opportunity. Today, he speaks warmly about his coworkers, the customers, and the sense of belonging he has found there. “I love my team,” Jason says. “Everybody on the team at Liminal is great.” And if you ask him what to order, he will heartily recommend his favorite: the “Honey Bunches of Oats” drink.
A life of faith and service
Jason’s work does not stop when his shift at Liminal ends. He also serves at the mission by working in the laundry room and washing dishes in the kitchen. For Jason, this season is about more than employment. It is an opportunity to serve others, grow in responsibility, and trust God with his future. When asked what Jesus means to him, Jason’s answer is simple; “Life.” He does not pretend to know exactly what comes next. Instead, he is choosing to follow where the Lord leads. “I’m going to take my chance with the Lord and let Him guide me to wherever I need to be,” Jason says. “Ultimately, I would like to come … and still help out in the Mission.” Jason’s story shows what can happen when a person is welcomed with kindness and given an opportunity to move forward. Through the generosity of our community, Lighthouse Mission offers much more than immediate shelter. Guests can find support, meaningful work, renewed purpose, and hope for the future.
Watch all three parts of Jason’s story and learn more about how Lighthouse Mission helps people move toward hope and stability.