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

Xoriant Hosts Enriching Exposure Visit for Dapodi Youth to Bridge the Corporate Gap

A heartfelt thank you to Xoriant for hosting an enriching exposure visit for our Lighthouse youth from Dapodi on 25th November 2025. The visit offered 30 Lighthouse youth a valuable glimpse into corporate culture, observing real-time workplace operations,...

Bridging Creative Gaps: MESC and LCF Partner to Equip Odisha’s Youth with Media & Entertainment Skills

Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC), in collaboration with Lighthouse Communities Foundation (LCF), Odisha, is working to equip youth with industry-relevant skills and local employment opportunities. Through MECAT assessments, Celebrity School courses, and...

Strengthening PCMC’s Skilling Ecosystem: Kiwale Lighthouse Becomes the 11th Centre for Youth Empowerment

We are delighted to announce the inauguration of the Kiwale Lighthouse, launched in partnership with the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) under the Kaushalyam livelihood development program. The centre was inaugurated in the presence of Hon. MLA Mr....

Expert Insights at Kalkaji Lighthouse: Rimy Oberoi and Sara Jamal Explore the Foundation Course and Youth Empowerment

We were happy to host Rimy Oberoi, Founder of the Centre for Employability Research and former leader at OysterConnect, along with Sara Jamal, at the DSEU Lighthouse, Kalkaji on 2 December 2025. Rimy visited the Lighthouse to learn about our program and interacted...

Building Future Leaders: HSBC Technology India Mentors Lighthouse Youth on Professional Excellence

100 Lighthouse youth from Yerwada, Aundh and Bhawani Peth Lighthouses visited the HSBC Technology India Headquarters in Pune for an exposure visit. The day began with the youth delivering a strong and meaningful presentation on environmental conservation. This was...

Pathways to Employment: LCF and Motilal Oswal Foundation Drive Youth Livelihoods in Balotra

The Pathways to Employment event was organised on 26th November at Raj Resort, Nakoda, Balotra, bringing together industry partners, skilling organisations, NGOs, and district officials on one platform. The event created a meaningful space for dialogue, collaboration,...

Empowering Balotra: One-on-One Counseling at Govt. ITI Job Fair Sparks New Career Journeys

On 19th November 2025, Balotra Lighthouse participated in the Job Fair hosted at Govt. ITI Balotra, an event honoured by the presence of Shri Bhuvneshwar Singh Chuhan ji, ADM Balotra, and Dr. Arun Choudhary ji, Hon’ble MLA. Our one to one counselling sessions became...

Lighthouse Communities Foundation and Thane Municipal Corporation Sign MoU for New Youth Skilling Centre

A proud milestone for Lighthouse Communities Foundation as our 50th centre comes to life! We are delighted to announce the signing of an MoU between Ms. Anagha Kadam, Deputy Commissioner, Social Development Department, Thane Municipal Corporation, and Ms. Anuja...

SBI Foundation Leadership Visits Angul Lighthouse to Celebrate Alumni Success and Youth Transformation

Recently, we were privileged to host the SBI Foundation team including Mr. Swapan Dhar (MD designate, SBIF), and Ms. Anubhuti (Asst. Manager, SBIF) at our Angul Lighthouse Centre. During the visit, the team felicitated Lighthouse alumni who are now leading sustainable...

Empowering Pune’s Youth: PMC Additional Commissioner Pavneet Kaur Visits Aundh Lighthouse

On 19 November, we had the privilege of hosting Mrs. Pavneet Kaur, Additional Municipal Commissioner, PMC, at the Aundh Lighthouse, along with Mr. Bhosekar, Deputy Commissioner UCD and his team. This being her first visit, it offered her a close look at how the...

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

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...

Ranu: Defying Odds and Shining Brightly Through Challenges as a Single Mother

Meet Ranu, a brave 34-year-old woman residing in the Nabin Nagar slum of Bhubaneswar. Despite encountering numerous challenges, she has shown remarkable strength in facing the world. As a single mother, she courageously embraced the responsibilities that accompanied...

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 ...

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...

From Uncertainty to the Classroom: Soni’s Journey to Becoming a Pre-Primary Teacher

“I am proud to call myself a teacher today,” Soni says with a smile that carries both relief and pride. At just 19, she has started her first job as a Pre-Primary Teacher at Amity International School, standing tall in front of children who look up to her. The road...

A story of sheer hard work that reaped the sweetest fruits

A resident of Laxmi Nagar community in Yerwada, Tauseef is a persevering youth who has been by his family through all their ups and downs. His family’s sold fruits at the market as a vendor which was a major source of income for them. He has currently appeared for...

Meet the inspiring women of Lighthouse Communities Foundation: Celebrating the Power and Resilience of Women on International Women’s Day

On the occasion of International Women's Day, we celebrate and honor the invaluable contribution of women to our society. At Lighthouse, we take pride in our predominantly female workforce, which has been the case for the past seven years. Seventy percent of our...

Neelam's life had always been a struggle. Living in a cramped house with her parents and siblings, she often wondered how they would make ends meet. Her father's meager income as a private bus driver barely managed to keep the family afloat. Neelam, the eldest among...

A Quiet Roar of Resilience

At just 21, Aditya Dhumal stood at a crossroads many fear—grief in his heart, dreams in his eyes, and little in his pocket. Life became tougher after his mother passed away. He was raised by his father, who works as a peon at a diamond manufacturing company. Despite...

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.