A faith-based recovery home for women in Muncie

The Lighthouse is a residential recovery program designed to support women as they work toward sustainable, long-term recovery. Located in Muncie, Indiana, our faith-based, three-phase program combines a 12-step foundation with trauma-informed book studies, counseling, community support, and practical life skills that support recovery and independence.

Graduates complete the program in approximately 10 months on average, but each resident’s timeline is flexible based on her individual needs and progress.

Support for the recovery journey

Recovery involves more than completing a set of steps. It also means developing healthy relationships, establishing a dependable life team, addressing practical needs, and preparing for life after the program.

The Lighthouse builds that support through its 12-step recovery framework and partnerships with community-based programs and services. Each resident participates in counseling with a mental health therapist, attends Sunday church services and community recovery support groups, and takes part in community service opportunities.

The three phases of The Lighthouse program

The program begins with a probationary period and continues through three phases that help residents progress from primary recovery to maintenance and transition.

Probationary Period

Timeframe: 2-4 weeks

During the probationary period, staff assess each resident’s willingness, humility, honesty, and ability to follow the guidelines of the home before she begins Phase I.

Phase I – Primary Recovery

Timeframe: 90-120 days

Residents focus on introspection, identifying individual patterns of behavior, and building a healthy support system. This phase includes steps 1–5, book studies, and assistance obtaining proper identification in preparation for employment. Sunday church attendance at Urban Light Community Church is required during this phase.

Phase II – Maintenance

Timeframe: 1-6 months

Residents complete steps 6–12 and are given up to 30 days to find employment. The focus shifts toward creating a healthy balance among work, daily life, and recovery. Sunday church attendance remains required, but residents may attend the church of their choice.

Phase III – Transition

Timeframe: Up to 90 days

Residents complete an exit plan and prepare to transition back into the community with the tools, support, and plans developed throughout the program.

How to apply to The Lighthouse

To be considered for eligibility for the program must be:

18+ years of age
Struggling with addictions or life controlling problems
Willing to change your life
Self-motivated to work a program
Read and write the English language
Have an attitude of willingness, humility and honesty
Willing to make a 9–12-month commitment to the program
Do not have pending warrants
Willing to submit to a national background check (if necessary)
Pass a drug screen. (If not, you must be willing to admit yourself to a detox program and/or short-term rehab first)

You may not be eligible for the program if (each case will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis):

You are a chronic psychiatric patient who needs to be confined periodically
You have serious mental health issues or ongoing medical health problems, including but not limited to, issues that require surgery, use of narcotics or hospitalization.
If you have a history of violence or behavioral problems
Are taking or prescribed narcotics or a controlled substance scheduled drug(s)
And other criteria determined by The Director and/or application committee, on a case-by-case basis

Prospective residents can complete the online application or download and print the application. Printed applications may be emailed to the Lighthouse Director, Dori Holzapfel, at dholzapfel@urbanlightcdc.org or mailed to:

Urban Light CDC / The Lighthouse
PO Box 3185
Muncie, IN 47307

Phone: 765-717-2747

After an application is received, prospective residents will be contacted for an interview. Formal interviews are reviewed by an application committee. To protect confidentiality, the application committee reviews only the interview form and the applicant’s statement at the end of the application; the full application is reviewed only by Lighthouse staff.

The Lighthouse Director will notify the applicant within 48 hours of the formal interview to share whether she has been accepted into the program.

A story of recovery and renewed hope

After losing her father, Sara A. reached a point where she was no longer using drugs to feel high or even normal. She was using them to die. When she arrived at The Lighthouse, she had lost nearly everything and needed support rebuilding her life.

Through the program’s relationships, structure, and steady guidance, Sara learned how to set goals, navigate everyday responsibilities, strengthen her faith, and make healthy decisions. After 16 months, she left The Lighthouse with a furnished apartment, a car, her court fees paid, and hope for a future that continues to get better.

Support women working toward long-term recovery

Financial support helps The Lighthouse provide a structured residential environment and recovery resources for women preparing to rebuild their lives.

To give by check, make it payable to Urban Light Community Development and write “Lighthouse” in the memo. ACH options are also available, or you can make an online donation.

Our faith foundation

Urban Light Community Development Corporation is an independent corporation that partners with Urban Light Community Church. Religious programming offered to residents must not conflict with the Churches of God, General Conference “We Believe” statement, which emphasizes unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials, and charity in all things.

Urban Light CDC serves as the final authority regarding the appropriate practices of volunteers serving its clients and programs.