In this podcast conversation, Jingwen and Joseph discuss the mission and work of Lighthouse DC, a nonprofit organization that helps create homes for formerly homeless and low-income residents in Washington, DC.
Jingwen, who is a co-founder and director of operations at Lighthouse DC, shares that their organization focuses on providing furniture and creating a home environment for individuals who have already secured housing. They follow a "housing first" approach, which prioritizes providing stable housing before addressing other needs. Jingwen explains that the idea for Lighthouse DC came about when he moved to DC and was shocked to see the number of homeless individuals in the city.
He felt compelled to do something to address the issue and help those in need. Lighthouse DC was founded in 2017 and has since grown significantly, serving over 5,000 residents in the past six years. The process for individuals to receive assistance from Lighthouse DC involves being referred by housing providers who have already secured housing for them. Once referred, clients fill out an intake form specifying the furniture they need.
Lighthouse DC then delivers the furniture directly to the client's home, eliminating the need for them to worry about the expense and logistics of furnishing their home. In terms of procuring furniture, Lighthouse DC relies on individual donors who may be moving or downsizing and no longer need their furniture. They also have partnerships with other nonprofits, such as A Wider Circle, which provides additional inventory for Lighthouse DC to distribute.
Jingwen shares a memorable story of a family who received a nightstand and a lamp from Lighthouse DC, and the children were thrilled to have their own furniture. He emphasizes the importance of providing basic household items to create a stable and comfortable home environment for individuals and families. When asked about future plans, Jingwen expresses a desire to continue growing the organization both in terms of the number of clients served and geographic expansion.
They hope to expand beyond DC to serve neighboring areas in Maryland and Virginia.
However, they want to ensure that any expansion is done in a strategic and responsible way, focused on meeting the needs of the community.

To get involved with Lighthouse DC, Jingwen recommends volunteering, donating, or attending their events. They are active on Facebook and also send out a monthly newsletter to keep supporters updated on their work.
Overall, the conversation highlights the important work that Lighthouse DC is doing to provide furniture and create homes for those in need, and the impact that a stable and comfortable living environment can have on individuals and families.