About Us
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
In 2009, we were in the process of opening a childcare center in GA. The idea of Lighthouse Leadership Center was born at that time. The funny thing was, I had an 18-month-old, but no middle school children yet. I pitched the idea to two different counties, and they very quickly declined the idea. I decided it must be silly, plus I could not focus on growing a newly opened childcare center and getting Lighthouse off the ground, so I tossed it to the side.
Fast-forward to 2022, when my child was in 7th grade. It was absolutely without a doubt the hardest school year I have ever endured, and this was my 3rd going through middle school. I felt like I was literally fighting for her soul. She had to be supervised constantly, and this past summer, had to go spend the entire summer with my family out of state because she could not be left alone.
I joined a summer Bible study, hoping I could find some answers and rest my soul, because there was no way we could repeat last year; our family could not take it. It was during this time that Lighthouse came back to my mind. I hadn't thought of it in so many years, and I started to dream again that this program could really work and would be wanted by families.
This has evolved over the last year. How can we reach as many kids as possible? To offer it for free, and become a non profit and become donation based. We are currently in the process of becoming a non proft, and we are now FAITH BASED, which is what I wanted all along!
I am beyond honored and humbled to be a part of Lighthouse, and my goal is that this program makes a positive difference in as many young lives as possible. -Emily Schroeder, Founder
MISSION AND VISION
Middle school is such a delicate period of time in kids’ lives. This is the time they are no longer eligible for childcare, and if they are, do not want to be seen jumping on a childcare center bus, so the parents have no choice but to leave them at home. If parents are lucky, they will have an after-school sport, but that is only for a season or two, but not consistently throughout the whole year.
This is the age where they are expected to make great choices, although their brains are not ready to handle the freedom of staying at home alone. Wouldn’t it be great if we had an option for some kids that just aren’t emotionally ready or capable of being left alone yet? A place where they are taken care of, do homework so parents don’t have to deal with it once home, and even better, a place that will change the mindset of children from “I can’t", to “YES I can, and here is how”.
THIS is what Lighthouse is all about.
Mission Statement
Middle school kids CAN make a difference in this world.
Vision
Lighthouse is in every small town, big city, and middle school in the United States and beyond.
MEET THE FOUNDER/OWNER
Hello!
My name is Emily Schroeder and I am the Founder and Owner of Lighthouse Leadership Center. I am blessed to be married with a blended family; 3 older step children and 3 from our marriage.
I grew up in GA, graduated high school and college, and started GEICO in my early 20's. GEICO raised me! The company taught me so many skills that I still use today. I held many positions, and moved to DC, VA, and back to GA during my time there. Of all the positions I held, my most favorite included coaching, training, and mentoring up and coming supervisors. This is where the love of coaching and teaching leadership began.
In 2009, I left GEICO to open a childcare center and in 2012, we purchased another school. We wanted our children and grand children to grow up together, so we sold the schools and moved back to VA . I got a job as a Director, and was promoted to District Director, and held that position for several years. As a District Director, one of the schools that I managed was a Before and After school program, and that gave me the knowledge and understanding I needed to open Lighthouse with confidence.
I am a first generation Cuban-American. In 1961, my parents pretended they were going on vacation, got on a plane, and left the only home they had ever known. They were only 22 and 19, had a 2 year old, and a 9 month old, could not speak the language, but that didn't stop my parents from coming to America. They wanted a better life for us, and were brave enough and had enough foresight to leave before communism took over that bea
utiful island. My parents were able to buy a house after a few years of being in America. They finally had the American dream! Nope, not enough for my dad; he sold the house, took the equity and opened a transmission shop in GA in 1972. My parents, who came to America just a decade prior, were now business owners. Although my father died when I was 12, the shop is still in operation today. My brother bravely took it over at the young age of 22, and ran the shop until Covid took him to be with our dad, and now, my amazing nephew owns and runs it. This shop has been through 3 generations, and is still going strong. It is a symbol in our family of hard work, preserverence, dedication, and commitment.
My parents' courage is what drives me to do my best; I owe them that much. Had my parents not had the guts, I wouldn't be here writing to you now, and I am gratefully able to do what I have been called to do, for such a time as this.