Last week, we proudly welcomed Christine Campbell to the Lighthouse Foundation Board. A Graduate Patron and long-time advocate for young people, Christine’s appointment marks a deeply meaningful milestone, not only for her personally, but for Lighthouse as a whole as we continue to elevate the voices of those with lived experience.
Christine’s journey from young person in Lighthouse care to Board member is a powerful testament to her courage, growth, and leadership. It’s also a reflection of our core belief: that young people, when supported with compassion and therapeutic care, can go on to shape the systems that once served them.
Christine’s Story
Christine’s journey with Lighthouse began when she was just 15 years old. Caught in a unstable home environment, she made the brave decision to seek help. With only a few belongings in her school bag, she turned to her local police station for safety.
From there, Christine was placed in an adult refuge, a very confronting experience for a young teenager. Alone and afraid, she still found the strength to go to school each day, describing it as the one place that offered a sense of normality during a deeply uncertain time.
Her path changed when she was referred to Lighthouse Foundation’s live-in therapeutic care program, where she finally began to heal.
“The night before I came to Lighthouse, I dreamt of a big white house with a bell tower on top, filled with young people and friendly faces. So, when I stepped out of the car to see that my new home was everything I’d imagined, I knew I was exactly where I needed to be.”
At Lighthouse, Christine found the safety, structure and support she had longed for. Surrounded by dedicated carers and psychologists, she was given the time and space to rebuild her confidence, reconnect with family, and begin to understand that the trauma she endured was not her fault.
“I could tell my carers and psychologist anything about my past and know that their response would always be supportive and caring,” she says.
A new way forward
Christine’s appointment to the Board is more than symbolic, it’s profoundly impactful. Having experienced the realities of youth homelessness firsthand, she brings an unmatched depth of insight and understanding to our leadership team.
Her insight ensures that our decisions remain grounded in empathy, relevance, and the lived realities of the young people we support. With Christine at the table, we are better equipped to advocate for systemic change, develop responsive programs, and continue evolving in meaningful ways.
The inclusion of leaders like Christine represents the future Lighthouse is committed to building: a future where young people are not only supported through trauma but empowered to become the drivers of change within their own communities.
Having Christine on our Board is a proud moment, not just for Lighthouse but for every young person who dares to believe that they are capable of something more. Her story sends a clear and powerful message: with the right care, support, and opportunities, young people can become not just survivors, but leaders.
We are honoured to have Christine help shape the future of Lighthouse Foundation. Her presence inspires us all and reinforces a simple but transformative truth: when we empower those with lived experience, we create a stronger, more compassionate, and more effective future for all.
