Little Lights Urban Ministries
2025-26: Little Lights Urban Ministries seeks support from the Ministry in the City HUB to fund one year of operations and program expansion at the Jubilee Center, its largest facility to date in Ward 7, Washington, DC. For 30 years, Little Lights has served children, youth, and families in public housing communities, providing academic support, mentoring, workforce development, family resources, and racial reconciliation programs. Opening in Fall 2025, the 6,000-square-foot Jubilee Center will serve over 500 youth annually and approximately 400 adults through expanded academic, social-emotional, and creative programming. The initiative will provide classrooms, counseling spaces, technology labs, and multipurpose areas, emphasizing individualized instruction, spiritual care, and arts integration. By supporting Jubilee, Little Lights aims to multiply generational impact, empowering students to thrive academically, spiritually, and creatively while strengthening the broader community.
Steven founded Little Lights in 1995 and has over 29 years of nonprofit leadership experience. Guided by a vision to serve underserved youth and families in Washington, DC, he has overseen more than $3.5 million in grant funding and grown the organization from $0 to an annual budget exceeding $2 million. Under his leadership, Little Lights has become a faith-centered ministry that integrates prayer, discipleship, and gospel-centered mentorship alongside academic and social-emotional support. Steven received the 2010 Excel Award for Excellence in Executive Leadership, the 2017 Community Achievement Award from the Capitol Hill Community Foundation, and the 2018 John Thompson Legacy of a Dream Award from Georgetown University.
Congregations and Community grants provide support for urban pastors, churches, faith-based community organizations, and theological institutions to share resources, ideas, and practices for life-giving ministry in cities across North America. Typically, we invite those who have not previously had access to resources or grant funding.
