Who We Are

How it all Began

Lighthouse for Life was founded by Andrea Wind in 2014. For several years, Andrea had been a teacher but eventually decided to stay at home with her kids. One day, human trafficking was mentioned in a sermon at her church. She was surprised to hear that, not only was it happening overseas, but it was also happening right here in the United States. It was at this time that she felt God place a call on her to do something about this problem. As she began to research and learn more about human trafficking, she realized the vast need for housing and after-care programs for survivors.

The name, Lighthouse for Life, was birthed from a vision that God gave Andrea of a lighthouse that was surrounded by smaller homes. People from all over were coming towards the Light and finding shelter in those homes.

Andrea is not only the founder but also a board member, speaker, and visionary for Lighthouse for Life.

Watch the video below to hear her tell it in her own words.

Andrea Wind

Lighthouse for Life is a 501(c)3 actively fighting against human trafficking. We desire to see everyone joined together to put a stop to the exploitation and trafficking of the people around us. We also make every effort to provide grace and assistance to people as they journey towards healing and restoration.

VISION

We desire an informed and actively engaged community working together to eradicate human trafficking.

MISSION

To raise awareness about the realities of human trafficking while restoring victims to wholeness.

CORE VALUES

Grace: Unmerited Favor
Integrity: Doing Right
Community: Better Together
Thankfulness: Heartfelt Gratitude
Generosity: Give Freely
HOW IT ALL BEGAN

OUR TEAM LEADERS

Jen ThompsonCEO

Lisa KejrCOO

Donna CoffinDirector of Administration

Linzy LairdKaris Home Director

Heather PoundsSurvivor Care Coordinator

Vicki JacksonConsultant

Jen Thompson became Executive Director of Lighthouse for Life on February 1st, 2016. She graduated from USC-S in 2000 with a degree in Physical Education and in 2013 from USC – Columbia with her Masters in Educational Leadership. She is thrilled to have the honor to work with Lighthouse for Life.

A former teacher, and passionate to serve hurting youth, Lisa Kejr joined Lighthouse for Life and now oversees the Education and Restoration Programs.

Linzy Laird has been with Lighthouse for Life since April 2020 as our Karis Home Director. She develops and manages our long term after-care residential facility for female minors who have been victimized by sex trafficking. Linzy is a graduate of North Greenville University with her B.S. in Psychology and is now pursuing her M.A. in Theological Studies from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is a very active member of Three Rivers Baptist Church and enjoys discipling younger women in the Word. Linzy is both honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to be a small part of impacting our community for the Kingdom by loving others into Light.

Heather Cook is an over-comer who has used her past to build up her future. Heather was enslaved to a lifestyle of sexual exploitation, drugs, homelessness, abandonment, abuse, and hopelessness for 18+ years. In 2008, Heather was sentenced to the South Carolina Department of Corrections where she served two years and was completely transformed. While incarcerated, Heather found that this time could be a time of hope for her; a time where she could begin to rebuild herself. Heather has a passion to serve and to encourage others by her own personal story of being healed and delivered through the working power of Jesus Christ.

Vicki Jackson is a natural born helper, consummate advocate for children, military veteran and spouse. She helped develop the RCCASA Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) program, and she coordinated and ran the Richland County Anti-Human Trafficking (RCAHT) Task Force prior to moving to Southern California. Vicki has developed multiple trainings that have helped bring awareness to the issues of human trafficking in South Carolina and California.