A Million Livelihoods

Lighthouse Communities Foundation (LCF) is on a mission to build empowered communities through life-skills, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for a million disadvantaged youth across India.

A Million Livelihoods

Lighthouse Communities Foundation (LCF) is on a mission to build empowered communities through life-skills, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for a million disadvantaged youth across India.

Latest News

AllianceBernstein Brings Financial Literacy to Lighthouse Youth

Last week, the Hadapsar Lighthouse welcomed 17 volunteers from AllianceBernstein. Their visit was filled with learning, sharing, and meaningful interactions. Two Lighthouse youth gave them a tour of the center, showcasing the work we do and the activities conducted...

Youth Explore ChatGPT & AI Tools in Vanderlande’s Inspiring Workshop

Check out some glimpses from the event held On 25th April 2025, Vanderlande conducted an engaging and informative workshop on ChatGPT and AI tools with 35 young learners at Kasbapeth Lighthouse! The session helped the Lighthouse youth learn how to use AI tools for...

Hon. Ajit Pawar & PCMC Commissioner Visit Dapodi Lighthouse

On 25th April 2025, we had the honor of hosting Hon. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Anantrao Pawar and PCMC Municipal Commissioner Mr. Shekhar Singh at the Dapodi Lighthouse Centre. Their visit highlighted the impact of the Kaushalyam initiative in supporting youth from...

From Ideas to Impact: A Day of Strategy, Creativity & Well-Being with GOYN Pune’s Youth

Youth Leading Change - The GOYN Pune Youth Advisory Group (YAG) met last Sunday for a session focused on growth, leadership, and mental resilience—key pillars for youth-driven change! Highlights from the day: Creative Expression: Ankit led an engaging rap session,...

Bridging Skill Gaps in Logistics: UDAAN-GOYN Conclave Drives Collaboration Between Industry, Academia, and Workforce Experts

The Logistics-Manufacturing, Retail, and Distribution (MRD) Conclave, held in Pune on March 12, 2025, under Project UDAAN-GOYN, united industry leaders, academia, and workforce experts to address the future of logistics, skill gaps, and AI’s impact. With 38 employers...

Mallepally Lighthouse Inaugurated with UBS Support

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to UBS for its invaluable partnership in establishing the Mallepally Lighthouse, our 42nd center across India. It was an honor to host Mr. Kishore during the Inaugural Lighthouse tour on February 26, and we deeply appreciate the...

Stronger Women, Stronger Communities: Celebrating the Women Leading Change at Lighthouse Communities

Leading with strength, inspiring change. Today, we celebrate the incredible women of Lighthouse Communities Foundation! 60% of our team and 100% of our leaders are women, proving that strong women build stronger communities, influencing decision making. We’re proud to...

First HR Industry Conclave in Delhi Empowers Youth, Bridges Skill Gaps

On February 28, 2025, Lighthouse Delhi hosted the First HR Industry Conclave, a transformative gathering that brought together 25 employers, 10 skilling and NGO partners, 13 Lighthouse alumni, and 75 participants, including youth from Lucknow. The event focused on...

Our vision

 

Our vision

Underserved youth realising their full potential through sustained livelihoods and good citizenship.

We envision a future India where youth from low income households thrive

The youth of India are its future. Millions of young people are struggling to build better lives for themselves and their families. COVID-19 pandemic has further pushed low-income communities into extreme poverty. We are on a mission to change that by enabling sustainable and prosperous livelihoods.

Making a difference

Making a difference

 

Impact of Our Work

Lighthouses guiding youth towards full potential

Lighthouses guiding youth towards full potential

Slum communities covered

Youth enrolled in the livelihood journey

Youth completed training or placed after Foundation Course

Youth are placed/self employed

Youth opted for higher education

%

Youth who are placed, are still at work post one year

Slum communities covered

Youth enrolled in livelihood journey

Youth completed training or placed after Foundation Course

Youth are placed/self employed

Youth opted for higher education

%

Youth who are placed, are still at work post one year

Success Stories

From Paused Dreams to Empowered Entrepreneur: Pooja’s Stitch of Success!

Entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting a business—it’s about reclaiming dreams and creating change. At 32, Pooja from Yerwada moved to Kasba Peth with dreams buried under daily struggles. Her husband’s earnings as an auto driver barely met the needs of their...

Against All Odds: Smita Barve’s Determination to Achieve Her Dreams

Smita Dhulaji Barve has always been a hardworking girl, but life has not been easy for her. Losing her mother in 11th grade was a major setback, but she did not let it deter her from pursuing her dreams. With the help of her father, grandmother and brother, she ...

Ritika- nursing her way to glory!

19-year-old Ritika, lives in Bhoomiheen camp Kalkaji. Her father, a daily wage laborer, developed severe health issues because of which he couldn't continue his work. Soon after, the family went into deep financial distress. Ritika was young and a bright student at...

My Journey from Janta Vasahat to Webito Infotech- Aniket

Today, I walk into my workplace with confidence as a Software Developer at Webito Infotech. Just a few months ago this felt like a distant dream. My father works as a peon and my mother manages the household. Resources were limited but I was determined to move...

22 Women from Wanowrie Lighthouse Break Barriers and Drive Forward with Maruti Suzuki Driving School and ChauffHER

We're proud to share that 22 determined women from Wanowrie Lighthouse are breaking barriers and hitting the road! Through the Four Wheeler Driving course at Maruti Suzuki Driving School, they're mastering a new skill and driving their careers forward. And with our...

Priya touching new milestone in her life’s journey

A young girl who got married when she was just 19 years old had never thought that she would someday start her own business! After her marriage, Priya soon gave birth to two beautiful children. She lives in a joint family of 12 members and her husband is a private...

Finding diamonds in the rough: The empowering journey of a woman who refused to be broken

Ashwini's life has been a tumultuous journey, one filled with unimaginable pain and heartache. At the tender age of 18, she entered into marriage, and soon after, she became a mother to two beautiful boys. Life seemed perfect, but little did she know that fate had...

Once Searching for Direction, Now Guiding Others—Meet Sahil

At just 23, Sahil Sable from Ambivli carried more responsibility than most his age. Living with his parents and siblings, he knew he had to step up—not just to support his family, but to shape his own future. After graduating in Computer Sciences, Sahil began...

Video Library

Explore the Foundation Course

From self-discovery to career clarity, the Foundation Course is more than a learning program—it’s a journey of agency building, digital empowerment, and laying the foundation for sustainable livelihoods.

Each day brought new opportunities for Lighthouse youth to reflect, connect, grow, and step closer to their dreams—with support from a thriving community.

At Lighthouse Communities Foundation, we’re proud to walk alongside every youth as they unlock their potential and build a path forward.

About us

Lighthouse Communities Foundation

Lighthouse Communities Foundation is a beacon of hope and opportunities for youth from low-income households to make their dream of a better life, a reality. Our flagship program, the Lighthouse fosters agency, skills, and workplace competencies in youth, makes them employable and enables them to get employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

About us

Lighthouse Communities Foundation

Lighthouse Communities Foundation is a beacon of hope and opportunities for youth from low-income households to make their dream of a better life, a reality. Our flagship program, the Lighthouse fosters agency, skills, and workplace competencies in youth, makes them employable and enables them to get employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Our Board of Directors

Dr. Ganesh Natarajan

Cofounder and Chairman, Lighthouse Communities Foundation

Ruchi Mathur

Cofounder and Vice Chairperson, Lighthouse Communities Foundation

Rajnish Kumar

Ex-Chairman SBI

Ujwal Thakar

Chairman, Educate Girls

Anita Rajan

Consultant,
Tata Strive

Pervin Varma

Trustee – CRY

Malini Thadani

Director, Access Development Services

Our Board of Directors

Dr. Ganesh Natarajan

Chairman & Cofounder, Lighthouse Communities Foundation

 

Ruchi Mathur

Cofounder and Vice Chairperson, Lighthouse Communities Foundation

 

 

Malini Thadani

Senior Advisor, FTI Consulting

 

Ujwal Thakar

Chairman – Educate Girls

 

Rajnish Kumar

Ex Chairman SBI

Anita Rajan

Consultant, Tata Strive

Our Partners

We work together in a unique Public-Private partnership with government, corporates, nonprofits and citizens. This pioneering collective action model ensures that each partner plays a specific role in achieving the goals.

Government Partners

Donor Partners

Placement Partners

Ecosystem Partners

Government Partners

Donor Partners

Placement Partners

Ecosystem Partners

City-Specific Programs

As part of our other social transformation initiatives, we are implementing a large-scale program for livelihoods (Global Opportunity Youth Network, Pune), digital empowerment for low-income citizens and quality education in public schools.

Pune City Connect

 

Celebrating 5 years of communities transformation

Lighthouse Communities started its first initiative in Pune, Maharashtra in partnership with Pune Municipal Corporation. We operate in Pune with a vision of “Sampoorna Pune” (Pune Fulfilled) and work with youth through the Lighthouses while also identifying further opportunities through the Aspen Institute “Global Opportunity Youth Network” partnership.

We also have a comprehensive Digital Empowerment initiative, inspired by the Prime Minister’s National Digital Literacy Mission to make one person in every family digitally empowered. We have been facilitating holistic Education through the “Shikshak Sahyogi” or Teacher Mentor program as well as the “Models of Excellence” program that aims to take Social Emotional Learning across PMC schools.

Pune City Connect

Pune City Connect

Celebrating 5 years of communities transformation

Lighthouse Communities started its first initiative in Pune, Maharashtra in partnership with Pune Municipal Corporation. We operate in Pune with a vision of “Sampoorna Pune” (Pune Fulfilled) and work with youth through the Lighthouses while also identifying further opportunities through the Aspen Institute “Global Opportunity Youth Network” partnership.

We also have a comprehensive Digital Empowerment initiative, inspired by the Prime Minister’s National Digital Literacy Mission to make one person in every family digitally empowered. We have been facilitating holistic Education through the “Shikshak Sahyogi” or Teacher Mentor program as well as the “Models of Excellence” program that aims to take Social Emotional Learning across PMC schools.