Beacon Community Centers


Developing Youth Leadership, Adult Enrichments & Family Strengthening

The Mental Health Association operates three Beacon Community Centers in the Palm Beach County School District - South Grade Elementary, Lake Worth; Washington Elementary, Riviera Beach; and Lantana Elementary, Lantana. Each center's activities are designed to meet the communities unique needs to further develop strong neighborhood relationships, opportunities and support systems.


Activities in the Beacons include:
 

  • After School Services Mondays through Fridays during the school year and throughout the summer.
     
  • Evening Education Programs for children, adults and seniors including academic learning, tutoring, life skills, job skills, art enrichment, recreational games and family strengthening classes. Education programs are offered Mondays through Thursdays from 6 to 8 PM and weekends. Babysitting services are available for children as needed.
     
  • Community Awareness Programs where schools, businesses, churches and other community-based partner organizations join together and plan events throughout the year to help create a healthy, supportive community.
     
  • Teen Programs & Services provide opportunities for youth to learn about leadership development, education opportunities, career planning and positive social activities. Hours of operation are Mondays through Thursdays from 3 to 7 PM. Friday hours are planned events and the third Saturday of each month is Project Share (a food co-op) from 9 AM to 1 PM.
     

The goal of the after-school programs and the three Beacon Centers operating under the Mental Health Association of Palm Beach County's umbrella, is to reduce the number of unsupervised children between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m. and the potential for juvenile crime, while offering enrichment through recreation, arts and crafts, field trips, homework study and academic tutoring.

The after-school programs rely on many sources of funding. Support through private and corporate funding is always needed to help keep our programs up and running as well as to help us expand our centers and programs so that we can accomodate and enrich the lives of even more kids. Phone your local Beacon Center or the Mental Health Association to find out how you or your organization can help.

Contact:

The Mental Health Association: 561-832-3755

Lantana Beacon in Lantana - 561-202-0344

SouthGrade Beacon in Lake Worth - 561-202-6436

Washington Beacon in Riviera Beach - 561-494-1245


SHARE Food Program of Florida

The SHARE food program is available through all Beacon Centers. Now is a great time to contact your local Beacon Center to sign up for the SHARE. discounted food program. Orders are filled once a month and distributed to your local Beacon Center for you to pick up.

For more information on SHARE - Contact:

Lantana Beacon in Lantana - 561-202-0344

SouthGrade Beacon in Lake Worth - 561-202-6436

Washington Beacon in Riviera Beach - 561-494-1245