Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  A Baldwin County nonprofit that supports people experiencing homelessness has launched a new campaign to bring the community into the fight. The Sea Glass Initiative recently announced the Light the Way campaign, a monthly giving program for Baldwin County residents. The campaign invites supporters to become "Lightkeepers" by donating $19 each month. The organization says the steady funding will help it continue working one-on-one with clients as they rebuild their lives.

The Sea Glass Initiative officially launched the Light the Way campaign in 2026, inviting community members to join an ongoing effort to address the root causes of homelessness throughout Baldwin County.

The organization says its approach differs from groups that focus solely on emergency assistance. Instead of short-term fixes, The Sea Glass Initiative provides individualized case management for each client. Staff members meet with clients in person to identify the obstacles standing between them and long-term stability. These barriers can include missing identification, lack of transportation, unemployment, mental health challenges, addiction, or a lack of permanent housing.

"We believe homelessness isn't a one-size-fits-all problem, so it doesn't have a one-size-fits-all solution," said Michelle Hillman, Executive Director of The Sea Glass Initiative. "Every person who walks through our doors has a unique story and unique obstacles. Our role is to walk beside them, helping remove those barriers one by one so they can regain stability, dignity, and independence."

Hillman and her team say that understanding the individual story behind each case is central to their model's effectiveness. No two people arrive at homelessness the same way, and the organization believes no two people should be handed the same plan to leave it.

Penny Hughey, Director of Community Development for The Sea Glass Initiative, echoed that perspective when explaining why monthly giving matters more than one-time donations. One-time gifts can meet an immediate need, she said, but consistent funding enables the organization to stay with a client throughout the long process of rebuilding.

"Homelessness is rarely the result of someone simply making bad choices," Hughey said. "More often, it's the result of circumstances that snowballed beyond a person's ability to recover alone. That's why we don't spend our time judging someone's past; we spend our time helping them build a better future."

Hughey also addressed residents who want to help but are unsure how to start. She said the Lightkeeper program was designed for everyday donors, offering a meaningful way to contribute without a large financial commitment.

"People ask us all the time how they can help," Hughey added. "The answer is simple. Become a Lightkeeper. For less than the cost of a few specialty coffees each month, you can become part of someone's journey from homelessness to hope."

The Sea Glass Initiative says that a $19 monthly gift goes beyond a simple donation. The organization describes it as an act of hope, providing a person in crisis with a reliable source of support as they work toward independence. Each Lightkeeper becomes part of a network of community members committed to lasting change.

Residents who want to join the Light the Way campaign or learn more about The Sea Glass Initiative can visit seaglassinitiative.com/how-you-can/light-the-way.