Our Story
In memory of Chester "Buddy" Mitchell, who was a great father to his four sons and who also provided an open door and guidance and nurturing to many other children in the community, the concept for Buddy's Lighthouse was established. The vision for this facility arose as a way for me to give back to my community through focusing on the youth in Long Beach, N.Y and surrounding areas. My name is Byron Mitchell, also known as "Ox," and I was raised in Long Beach. My community is home and my passion is to advocate for my neighborhood family. I truly believe that through this program we can help give direction to our area youth and help steer them towards a more productive future. Through after school tutoring, physical training, the use of mentors and group discussions we can get our kids on the right path. This program will target the teenagers and juvenile delinquent population of Long Beach and its surrounding areas. It will serve as a haven for teenagers who want a place to spend their after school hours. It will keep them off the streets and away from the negative temptations the streets offer. It will also serve as a "corrective" program for those who have had problems with the law and are looking for a new outlook for their future.