The Do Good Feel Good Bunch

Welcome to the Do Good Feel Good Blog!

For hundreds of years, a lighthouse has been a symbol of promise for sailors. When a ship, tried from its journey, catches a glimpse of the beaming light from the tower a feeling of hope washes over the crew. Lighthouses provide a feeling of happiness and safety in rough waters. 

In a time where there is so much uncertainty and darkness we must find light. The Little Lighthouse is here to provide and share the positive light, for when there is light–there is hope. 

For those readers who are new to The Little Lighthouse Foundation, LLF, and those who are passionate veterans, let’s take time to reflect upon the last few months.

Do Good Feel Good Live

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, LLF had to switch gears from a very hands on organization to an online one. Through the concept of Do Good Feel Good (DGFG) Little Lighthouse Foundation created DGFGLive, Do Good Feel Good Live. 

Monday-Thursday of each week Jonathan goes live with a special guest at 3 pm on Instagram Live @LLFoundation. During the lives, the guest of the day will conduct a program that usually would have been in person. For example, Craft Night, Adopt a Meal, Activity Hour, etc. On this virtual platform, we are still able to reach the children at partner facilities and our volunteers–it is even expanding our support system. The guest’s following also tunes in to InstagramLive, which widens our audience to so many more areas than just South Florida. Our light is reaching across borders even in a time when human interaction and touch must be put on hold for a greater good– to save lives. 

As each Live comes to a close, we ask our guests a very important question: Fill in the Blank, Do Good Feel _______. 

To us, doing good and feeling good is an important philosophy. Giving back to the community not only helps those in need, but helps you internally to feel as though you can make a difference. Even though you are just one person, it takes one act or one good deed to make a difference in someone’s life.

  I asked our team how doing good makes them feel and these were their responses: Fill in the blank…Do Good Feel ________

Jonathan: “Grateful, this is an opportunity as a dad to connect with kids, not my own…to know I’m making a difference and really taking away how fortunate my family is.”

Amanda: “Fulfilled, the feeling you get from helping someone else if unexplainable and one of a kind. It is truly a privilege to be able to give back.”

Priscilla: “Complete, I feel giving back is apart of being a human…whether you are giving to your family, friends, or close circle it always feels right. It is what you are suppose to do; it’s apart of being a human being.”

Meet the Team 

Executive Director: Jonathan Babicka (Middle)

Babicka has a passion for philanthropy and pours his heart and soul into the Little Lighthouse Foundation. JB, as the team likes to call him, is such a light in his own sense. Passionate, driven, and successful–he is the heart of the LLF team. Even through a virtual platform Jonanthan excites the team about the day’s work. 

Babicka is happily married to his wife, Missy, and is the father to two adorable kids, Layla and Prentice. The Little Lighthouse is a family affair to the Babickas. They are all passionate about LLF and the South Florida Community. 

Program Director: Priscilla Roman (left)

Roman is Miami. As a first generation Cuban-American, she carved her own path and found her way to the Little Lighthouse Foundation. Priscilla is the calm, cool, and collected one. Her confident demeanor is inspiring and reassuring. Personally as an intern, I always felt I could turn to Priscilla with not only work but life advice. 

Priscilla enjoys coaching and is always willing to lend a helping hand to someone. Also she just got engaged, can’t wait for the wedding!

Amanda Jimenez: Marketing and Events Coordinator (Right)

Amanda is a fighter. At the age of nine, not speaking any english, her family came to the United States from Cuba in search of a better life. Incredibly, Amanda graduated from FIU Cum Laude and returned to LLF after an internship. Even though she is the newest member to the Little Lighthouse Foundation team, she acts like a seasoned vet. During our first meetings I had no idea it was only her first year at the foundation. 

Jimenez always generates big laughs from the team. During early mornings and stressful times I know I can always count on Amanda to bring a smile to my face. 

As I wrote this I kept saying team, but alas, I would like to correct myself–this is a family. This is a family who is open, genuine, and caring. There are no other three people that I would want to work with, and I would like to say thank you to them, from the bottom of my heart, for including me in this happy family. 

The Interns

I am Ashley Rock and I am one out of three interns at The Little Lighthouse Foundation. I attend the University of Miami and major in marketing. I wanted to work with LLF because I felt a call to help those less fortunate than I am, and LLF provides a great program to do that.

Antonella Maneiro is another intern at LLF. She goes to Florida State University (our rivalry is put on hold until football season) and majors in political science. Nella loves working with undeserved children and strives to make her community a better place.

Wendy Arrillaga attends Florida International University and majors in public relations. She loves interning with LLF because, “We work with such a great team that genuinely puts their all into helping the community. You wake up everyday just feeling grateful to be a part of it all!”

The Little Lighthouse’s Do Good Feel Good Blog aspires to be an outlet for creativity, inspiration, and joy for our readers. Let us take sail on our journey, together, and remember The Little Lighthouse will always be a shining light.