94 MAY 2026 | INTHEVUE.COM The Lighthouse facility — the same one that Kathryn had walked into on her lowest day — was gone. But Lighthouse leadership saw that the need was only growing bigger. They doubled down on their mission focusing on connecting women and children with available resources in the community while committing to building back stronger in a way that allowed families the space, safety, and dignity to truly heal. Since then, Executive Director Danelle Slack has been spending time in the community, gathering resources, raising awareness, and swatting down the myths that surround homelessness. “There is a common misconception that most people experience homelessness because of poor decisions, but in many cases, it’s the result of a crisis — domestic violence, job loss, medical issues, or the lack of affordable housing,” she says. Throughout it all, the organization has been focused on getting back to a physical space for The Lighthouse. “After the tornado, we knew we couldn’t just rebuild what we had — we needed to build something better,” Danelle says. to create a non-congregate, residential-style campus where each family has their own private space. “Research has shown that non-congregate shelter models lead to better outcomes — including increased safety, improved mental health, higher program engagement, and greater success in transitioning to permanent housing,” Danelle says. “For women and children, especially those who have experienced trauma or domestic violence, privacy and stability are critical to healing.” But the organization is not resting there. They have plans for a new facility that will level up their ability to serve women and families. The new building will have eleven private living units including nine family suites and two studio units. Each family suite will have a private bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, and living area. Danelle says the new design represents a significant shift from the traditional shelter model. “No shared sleeping areas, no shared bathrooms, and no loss of privacy or dignity,” she says. “The new facility is designed to be a trauma-informed, non-congregate residential program.” But it doesn’t end with the residences — the new facility is a campus model designed to support the program’s unique goals and needs. “The facility will include shared spaces that support daily living and long-term stability — including a community kitchen, dedicated community space for classes and programming, and two on-site laundry rooms,” she says. “We will also have designated space for overnight staff to ensure safety, support, and consistent care for residents. This model allows women and children to feel safe, stabilize, and begin rebuilding their lives — not just survive, but truly move forward with dignity and support.” Planning has been arduous. “Securing the property, working with architects, going through the public bid process, and now navigating funding shortfall challenges — but every step has been intentional and grounded in what we know leads to better outcomes for families,” Danelle says. The organization purchased the derelict Budget Inn property on Broadway in Mayfield, which gave them the opportunity, not only to restore a property along Mayfield’s main corridor, but also Former Lighthouse property before the historic 100-year tornado in 2021 Budget Inn property and future Lighthouse campus
