Accessibility & The Community Lighthouse Project
Keeping the light on—for every family, in every season, no matter the storm.
Our Response to Hurricane Helene
The Community Lighthouse Project was born as a response to Hurricane Helene & has evolved into the foundational pillar of Accessibility through the MCCLC Community Resilience Initiative. The project was created to ensure that every child, family, and community member in Madison County has access to the support they need—regardless of financial standing. Madison County Community Learning Centers 501c3 in conjunction with our K-8 Woodson Branch Nature School became the support system for the children in our area, and serves as a year-round hub for accessible education, wellness, nourishment, and community care.
Resilience in Action:
After Hurricane Helene’s floods and landslides devastated Marshall, Hot Springs, and nearby mountain communities, we didn’t wait for outside help. We turned to each other. Madison County Community Learning Centers and Woodson Branch K-8 became more than a campus and a school—it became a lighthouse, offering light, stability, and support in a time of great need. We rallied around our children first, engaging them in hands-on recovery efforts, showing them the power of community-led action, and grounding them in purpose and hope.
Today, MCCLC continues to ensure accesibility of resources available to all, including :
Tuition Assistance & Financial Support: We offer scholarships and grant-funded relief to make educational programs and emergency needs accessible for any family, at any time.
Donation-Based K–8 Education: Every child deserves access to nature-immersive, whole-child learning—no matter their background.
Affordable After-School & Enrichment Programs: Designed with working families in mind, and accessible on a sliding scale.
Seasonal Camps: Low-cost or donation-based offerings to keep kids learning, moving, and connected all year long.
Adult Workshops & Community Skill-Building: Learn, share, and heal together with regenerative practices, herbal medicine, mindfulness, and local food sovereignty education.
Event & Gathering Space: Our facilities are open for community use—offering a place for celebration, connection, and support.
Fresh Produce & Hot Meals: Our gardens and kitchens nourish the body as much as the heart. All available by donation.
Herbal Remedies & Wellness Supplies: Access to trusted, handmade, natural medicine—pay what you can.
