Little Lights Urban Ministries

History

Steve Park founded Little Lights in 1995 to share God’s love with underprivileged children and families in southeast Washington, DC. In 1994, while helping run a day camp, Steve met Darrell, a junior high student who could not read. Moved by this new friendship, Steve prayed about how to combine his desire to share God’s love with helping children who were struggling in school. A year later, God answered his prayer by giving Steve the vision to start Little Lights.

Steve and his wife Mary moved to Southeast DC several years later to be closer to the people they served. They live there today with their two children.

Since 1995, Little Lights Urban Ministries has been committed to providing sanctuaries of encouragement, hope, and practical assistance to at-risk children, youth, and families in Washington D.C. Little Lights has recruited more than 2,000 volunteers for weekly tutoring, enrichment trips, mentoring, and special events. More than 800 children have participated in Little Lights’ programs throughout its history.

Little Lights has broadened its focus to include the entire family - kids, teens, and adults.

Timeline

1995	Steve Park begins tutoring students from his parents' Tae Kwon Do studio in Northwest DC.
	In October, Steve and Joan Kim begin Little Lights Urban Ministries.
1996	Mack Myers and Steve Park begin the Young Peacemakers summer camp for boys.
1997	Steve is introduced to Potomac Gardens.
	Little Lights launches Camp Heaven for boys and girls.
	Freedom, Faith & Family Award from the Family Research Council.
1998	Mary Hwang joins Little Lights.
1999	Little Lights rents a Ministry House directly across from Potomac Gardens.
2000	Little Lights rents office space in the Hope Center (now called the Little Lights Center).
2001	Steve and Mary are married.
	Reading Heroes begins.
2002	Little Lights choir goes to California (14 kids, 3 adults).
	Chinese Bible Church youth group members run the first annual spring break Camp Hope.
2003	Little Lights purchases the Ministry House in Anacostia for staff and summer counselors.
2004	Camp Heaven accepts 100 students and extends to seven weeks.
2005	The Little Lights Center (formerly the Hope Center) is donated to Little Lights.
2006	Little Lights Mentoring Program begins.
	Little Lights is selected to be a Fair Chance partner.
2007	Little Lights organizes First Annual Talent Show.
	Major Renovations on Ministry House completed.
	Little Lights Selected for Catalogue for Philanthropy.
	Author Brian McLaren speaks at Fundraising Banquet.
2009	Little Lights receives the Keller Award from the Capitol Hill Community Foundation.
	The First Lady of South Korea visits Little Lights.
2010	Little Lights receives third unit from DCHA and renovates it to become the Family Center for residents within Potomac Gardens
	Steve receives EXCEL award from Center for Non-profit Advancement.
	The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation and Rebuilding Together renovate Little Lights Center.
	Little Lights is selected to be apart of 2011-2012 Catalogue for Philanthropy.
2011	Little Lights was featured in the 2011-2012 Catalogue for Philanthropy as "One of the best small charities in the greater Washington region."
	Little Lights gets awarded the Benevon Grant from the Meyer Foundation
	Little Lights takes over the management of Clean Green Team (Landscaping training program)
	Little Lights was one of 1,300 non-profits that participated in Give To The Max Day: Greater Washington a 24hour online giving competition. With the support of 729 individual donors, we raised $37,388 and recieved $43,500 in award money for an one-day total of $80,588
	Little Lights Annual Budget exceeds $700,000 for the first time
2012	Linda and Thomas Rice celebrate 10 years at Little Lights
	DC Trust funds Little Lights to hire 25 summer teen interns
	LL Family Services recieved first grant from DC Human Services
	Steve joins the Board of the Center for Non-profit Advancment

Steve and Mary Park

“More than a decade later, I still believe this simple truth: the biggest need a child has is to feel loved and valuable,” says Steve. “My prayer is that more Christians will reach out to these children and their families to show them that somebody, especially God, cares for them.”