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It seems as if every person at Little Lights has an extraordinary story to tell. Executive Director Steve Park, for one, never even dreamed of working with kids. He now heads the non-profit urban organization geared toward youth in the Southeast-area of Washington, D.C. Park, at 36, looks primed for the job: he's set with kind eyes, a firm, but gentle demeanor and a warm laugh. Though in Park's mind, he only began to understand his calling about 10 years ago when he converted to Christianity.
            "My heart woke up and I knew that somebody needed to care for these kids, even if it's not a popular thing to do," Park said. "I really felt that the calling of a Christian was to live compassionately, and I was really convicted by Jesus' love for the poor, outcast and the marginal. I felt a passion to live in the same kind of way -- to live in concern for others ... and that's how I started."
            He started Little Lights in 1995, recognizing “the light of God” in each child. He first worked out of his parent's Tae Kwon Do studio in the city, and invited students and other locals for three hours of daily homework help, games and Bible studies. Little Lights eventually expanded and focused its outreach to the Potomac Gardens area. They now also offer a summer program, "Camp Heaven," mentorship opportunities, a gospel choir, youth group and boy's and girl's nights during the week.

            "These are precious kids who sometimes get the short end of the stick," Park said. "There are a lot of stereotypes about city kids being in gangs or not being smart enough. But when you meet them in person, they show you how much love and potential they have. Each one is unique, and you have to get to know them."

Little Lights Today

Little Lights is now an officially recognized charity based out of an old church called the Hope Center. Located on the corner of 7th and I Street near the Eastern Market, the center is one of a few buildings owned and renovated by Little Lights and its supporters. They are currently working to raise money for their Ministry House, also in D.C.-area, which houses staff and summer camp counselors during the year. The total estimated cost of the project is $83,000, and the Philip Graham Fund has granted them $40,000 if they are able to raise a project balance of $43,000. To date, they have raised more than $10,000.
            Even with its changes and growth, Park emphasizes a need for additional volunteers. The current staff is made up of 9 full-time and 8 part-time workers, and many are recent college graduates from suburban cities around the country.
            "We have people coming from different parts of the country like Idaho, New York and Maryland; maybe it is their first time working in a community like this, so it's a learning experience for them and they're very enthusiastic," Park said, "There's a big learning curve
and it's a great opportunity for them to learn about issues dealing with the city like social issues and working with kids."
            During the day, Park is busy writing grants, building staff programs and driving around in a big van. Park has two kids of his own, and lives about a half-a-mile away from the Hope Center. His wife, Mary, shares a similar responsibility and works as the Little Lights administrative director. After school, Mary usually helps out with the homework club. One afternoon she was found leading an amusing warm-up routine of songs, jumps and of course, air guitar. The kids happily obliged, flailing arms, legs, and erupting in a tizzy of giggles.
            "It's hard to get people as passionate about it as you are," Park said. "You need commitment in order to change things, and it's hard to get commitment from other people. The job could be isolating at times because you feel disconnected by being in the inner city."
            Isolation is just one of the issues. Linda Rice, the associate director, choir and girl's group leader, and self-proclaimed "discipline enforcer," said the children in the program often struggle with problems stemming from poverty or a broken family.
            "Some of the kids suffer from verbal or physical abuse at home; or their parents have substance abuse problems," Rice said. "These situations cause kids' esteem to be low, and so they come here needing a lot of affirmation. And when they do, they just cling to people really quickly because they look for someone to just be caring and to listen to them."

A counselor’s perspective

As a D.C.-native, Rice graduated from Eliot Junior High and Eastern High -- schools not too far from the Potomac Gardens. She said she is familiar with the challenges, and easily recognizes the pain many of the children face while living in a "ghetto" area.
            "It's pretty hard for kids to carry this kind of baggage around, and then it causes some to be behind in school because they have nobody to encourage or challenge them to do better," Rice said. "Many of the kids are a grade level behind; sometimes two. That's why organizations like (Little Lights) are vital. No matter what shape or color of the people coming in, I'll say from the staff down to the children, I've learned to love them right where they're at. We're here to empower them."

            More of a nurturing-type, Rice was once considered the neighborhood tutor and babysitter. With her husband Thomas, Rice now acts as a surrogate parent to the children and staff of Little Lights. Before dawn each day, the Rices carpool from their home in Bowie, Md., and are often the first to arrive. Rice prepares by making time for prayer, "talking to God,” and putting her hair in rollers before the hordes come in for the day.
            "We're all like family here; and Steve -- oh, he's my son," Rice said. "When I first met him, I saw this fire and passion in him for kids in the inner city. I don't remember seeing that in anyone else in any race since I was young."
            It's no matter of color for Park, who never questions why he mostly works with people of a different background. Instead, he embraces it. His Korean-born parents are supportive of his work and encourage him to follow his vision.
            "I really began to see the world differently after becoming a Christian, and I realized one of the great tragedies and sins of the U.S. and the church is the lack of racial unity and its racial divide," Park said. "I think racism and prejudice has caused a lot of deep wounds. If we're ever going to reach our potential, it needs to be healed."

Healing on the inside

Recently, as Little Lights staff have realized, wounds can also be physical. In November, the Washington Post reported a drive-by shooting that injured three teens in the volatile Southeast area. Program coordinator Joe Mikey Mapa said he was alarmed by the situation, but admitted to the prevalence of such grave events. For Mapa, or "Mr. Mikey," somber realities can only be remedied with much-needed love.
            "I'm just living my life, and hopefully I'm shining God's light," Mapa said. "We try to give the kids a safe environment and make sure that kids can be kids here; if you can't run around and play when you're 9 or 11, then when are you allowed to?"

            After Bible studies, Mapa often takes his boys out to the park for games and other fun. These days, he's planning to spend extra one-on-one time with students through a new mentorship program -- all free of charge. Despite a full schedule, Mapa manages to attend the University of Maryland part-time, and supports himself financially through a second job and donations from his home church. The 21-year-old appears almost worry-free, and claims that it's all due to prayer.
            "I'll get hungry and I'll have no money," Mapa said. "But, I live on Jesus because he's my paycheck. My faith and trust allows me to bless others. Someone once told me that ministry is just 'beggars showing other beggars where the food is.'"
            Park agrees. When asked if work is ever about himself or moving up in the world, Park kindly laughs off the notion -- of course not.
            "It's definitely about getting needs met and trying to see kids thrive and do well in life," Park said. "We really would like to see movement of people who care about youth and families in the city, who are easily forgotten. I feel especially called to motivate the church and other Christians to show compassion. We want these kids to be able to go to college, get a good paying job, and become healthy adults."
            More information about Little Lights is available online at: http://www.littlelights.org. The urban ministry will hold their annual Christmas Party on Dec. 16 at the Korean Central Presbyterian Church in Vienna. Local churches and other sponsors are encouraged to attend an evening of dinner, song, fellowship and giving of gifts. For more information, contact Melissa Henning at melissah@littlelights.org.