Cooking with Heart: Meet Lighthouse Volunteers Judy, Judy, and Sally

Sometimes the most meaningful community impact begins around a shared table. For longtime friends Judy, Judy, and Sally, that table is set at Lighthouse’s Sheakley Center for Youth.  A shared love of cooking and a desire to serve inspired the trio to create and lead cooking classes for young people working to escape homelessness.  

Judy, Judy, and Sally launched the monthly classes to help young people in Lighthouse’s Youth Housing Opportunities (YHO) program build life skills, including cooking, budgeting, and how to create healthy, affordable meals. As the program evolved, the group adapted their approach to meet their students’ needs, focusing on collaboration, flexibility, and learning within a two‑hour time frame. And the young people are happily soaking up the lessons. 

 What’s most meaningful for everyone involved is the caring, supportive relationships that have grown.  “You generally start with the idea that you will be giving to others, but you inevitably gain so much more,” is a sentiment shared by the three women. Judy, Judy, and Sally prove that making a difference doesn’t require grand gestures, just open hearts, willing hands, and a seat at the table.  

 April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, an opportunity to highlight the importance of volunteers in building stronger communities and expressing sincere gratitude. Volunteers make Lighthouse’s work possible. 

 Interested in getting involved? Now is a great time! Volunteer Coordinator Lyndsey Cross is ready to help you find the perfect fit.  You can reach her at 513-487-7122 or lcross@lys.org.