About
Beacon.
Beacon is a solutions-driven, antipoverty 501(c)(3) organization, dedicated to aiding and empowering people experiencing extreme poverty, especially hunger and homelessness. Founded in 2000 in response to a growing community concern about the needs of people without homes, Beacon has grown rapidly these past two decades to become the largest housing provider of any nonprofit in Monroe County.
We are a values-driven agency—hospitality, dignity, empowerment, and hope define all that we do. We use a low-barrier approach, a nationally recognized best practice for reaching those most in need.
Beacon provides housing, day and overnight shelter, hunger relief, social services, financial support, life essentials (like laundry, showers, and mail), and other related health and human services to hundreds of people each day and thousands of people each year. Ninety-six percent of our guests have incomes at or below 30% of the area median income (AMI), which is considered extreme poverty. Sixty percent of our guests are women and children. Eleven percent are veterans.
Beacon operates seven days per week at three locations with nearly 30 staff.
Beacon’s Directors and Administrators
Forrest Gilmore, Executive Director
Amy Kendall, Development Director
Tory Crowe, Volunteer Coordinator
Lindsey Dominguez, Program Director, Friend’s Place
Laura Farmer, Program Director, Shalom Center
Amy Harrison, Executive Assistant
Emily Hewitt, Administrator
Jacob Lucas, Program Director, Hunger Relief
Jill Perkins, Program Director, Rapid Rehousing
Danielle Sorden, Director of Housing First Programs
Current Beacon Board Membership
Andrew Appel
Michelle Bloom, Client Representative
Jean Capler
Michelle Cole
Vera Flocke, Secretary
Teresa Harper
Diana Hoffman, Immediate Past President
Peter Iversen
Siân Mooney
Laura Pettit, Treasurer
Kelli Shute
Melanie Vehslage, President
Carol Watson, Vice President
Von Welch
Forrest Gilmore, ex officio
To contact the Board, please email president@beaconinc.org
Money matters when fighting homelessness and poverty!
Our annual reports detail the impact our supporters make through their generosity to Beacon. They also share our financial information and thank our volunteers and donors.
2023 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report
2021 Annual Report
2019 Annual Report
2018 Annual Report
2017 Annual Report
2016 Annual Report
2015 Annual Report
2014 Annual Report
2013 Annual Report
2012 Annual Report
2011 Annual Report
2010 Annual Report
Dignity – On the Frontline of Hunger and Homelessness
Dignity provides an insightful lens into the work of the Center and the guests who value its services. We produce 2-3 newsletters per year to share the impact, you, our supporters, make through Beacon.
Dignity – Fall 2024
Dignity – Spring 2024
Dignity – Winter 2024
Dignity – January 2020
Dignity – Fall 2019
Dignity – January 2019
Dignity – Summer 2018
Dignity – Jan 2018
Dignity – Summer 2017
Dignity – Feb 2016
Dignity – Sept 2015
With immense gratitude, we celebrate our major business sponsors who help battle poverty through the work of Beacon. As they have been generous to our impoverished neighbors, we encourage you to direct your support towards their businesses.
Beacon uses SMS (texting) to communicate with donors, volunteers, and clients. Attached is our privacy policy.