Joining the Lighthouse Program

If you or your family are interested in finding out about the Lighthouse Program’s peer support groups, call us (905) 337-2333 or email us This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Consultation meeting

We invite you for a consultation and explain our program to families, and to answer questions family members have about our program. We give a tour of our center. Together, the family and staff member determine if our program would fit the family’s needs.

We try to schedule the orientation meeting within a week of you contacting us. Once a family has completed and returned the information and permission forms, they are usually offered a place in a support group effective immediately. Sometimes there is a waiting list as we have space for only 12 children per group.

The Lighthouse – A private space

All conversations at the Lighthouse Program are confidential so everyone can share their thoughts and feelings. Regular attendance is also very important for building a supportive peer group. We therefore do ask that families/individuals attend regularly when enrolled in the program. A family/individual is expected to call if they must be absent for a session.

Grieving is a personal journey

We believe that grief is a unique experience for each individual. Children/youths are welcome to remain with the Lighthouse Program for as long as they feel they have grief work to do. Some families attend our support group for a few months, other families for a couple of years. Former participants may return to our Program for whatever reasons make it necessary.

Our services are provided at no cost to participants. Thanks to private and corporate donations, fundraising events, and grants from foundations and the United Way of Oakville, we are able to provide our services free of charge. Since our program is a not-for-profit organization that relies heavily on tax-deductible contributions from the community, we invite families to make a monthly donation that they can afford. This donation is voluntary and families are welcome regardless of whether they are able to contribute or not.