About The Light House Denver

Our history behind wanting to provide a safe and comforting home that can provide physical and emotional support during the transition period children have while waiting for placement.

OUR STORY

How We Got Started

The vision of creating The Light House started when Elicia and her husband Adam Williams made the decision to become foster parents. They finished their training with Arapahoe County in the summer of 2018 and had their first placement with foster children that August. Their experience with the foster care system had been an incredibly eye-opening experience. During the process, Elicia had come to the realization that the caseworkers and children being placed into the foster care system lacked the support they needed to reduce the trauma children may experience awaiting placement.

Elicia was inspired by nonprofit organizations in other states that had created a place for the caseworkers and children to find solace and support through the transition period between children being removed from their home due to safety concerns and being placed into foster care. Foster children are expected to go from one house to another without understanding what is happening, often having little to nothing of comfort. There is limited support in several counties in Colorado, including Denver and Arapahoe county and why we have started The Light House Denver.

Where We Are Now

Elicia and her team decided to take on the challenge of creating an environment that is a welcoming and peaceful home setting that helps children process what is happening to them. In The Light House, children will also receive food, clean clothes, toys, toiletries, comfort and care while child welfare staff can work and identify a good placement. The Light House became an official nonprofit organization in May 2021. We are diligently working to raise funding to procure a home within the Denver Metro Area to help children going into foster care or kinship placement.

Programs

The Light House is now branching into providing classes for foster/kinship/adoptive chidren to provide support to their mental health during placement as well. Many of the kids have not learned good coping skills and/or are possibly aging out of the foster care system without the life skills needed to be a successful adult. The Light House will have these classes to help fill in the gaps of emotional, physical, and mental health to allow these kids a better way of dealing with their lives. Volunteers will come alongside and teach them some fun and new ways of handling stress and learn skills that they can take into adulthood.

Beautiful Table Cape Lighthouse in Tasmania.

MEET THE BOARD

Click Here

Elicia Williams, President

Elicia Williams brings nearly five years of experience as a certified foster parent with Tri-County Collaborative, where she gained firsthand insight into the challenges faced by foster children. Born and raised in Arapahoe County, Colorado, Elicia has always had a deep passion for helping Colorado’s children thrive. In 2011, she adopted her foster daughter, who is now 13, and remains dedicated to providing a loving home to more children in the future.

Married for 24 years to her husband, Adam, a dedicated State Trooper, Elicia’s family exemplifies a strong commitment to service and community. Her personal journey as a trauma-informed parent to an adoptive child gave her valuable insight into what foster parents need to know when parenting children who have experienced trauma. She recognized the urgent need for trauma-informed support and mental health resources within the foster care system, which inspired her to establish The Light House. This nonprofit is dedicated to easing the trauma of foster care and empowering children to heal and thrive.

Elicia believes in a world where we cannot control what others do, but we can control what we can do for others.

Nathan Brandt, Vice President

Nate Brandt is a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience in driving organizational growth and fostering a strong company culture. With a proven track record of leading, managing, and creating successful ventures from the ground up, Nate has played a pivotal role in shaping numerous companies and empowering countless employees.

Having founded and managed businesses across various industries, including the innovative Middle School Matchup in Colorado, Nate possesses a deep understanding of go-to-market strategies and revenue-driving initiatives. His passion for cultivating thriving work environments and prioritizing company culture has been instrumental in achieving sustained success.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Nate is deeply committed to giving back to the community and helping others succeed. As a devoted family man, he prioritizes spending quality time with his two children and has been happily married for 15 years.

Nate Brandt is excited to bring his wealth of experience and dedication to The Light House, where he looks forward to making a meaningful impact and driving positive change in the community.

Gayle Demasse, Board Member

Gayle DeMasse is currently a Senior Residential Manager for Spectra Human Services. They work with youth and adults with Intellectual Disabilities. Gayle and her husband did respite for foster care before adopting their daughter through Jefferson County. Gayle spent years working with children, teens and adults in the mental health field in various states and centers. Gayle led classes in wellness, self esteem building, leisure and life skills. Gayle strives to be a positive influence in the community and with her own family.

Julia Stutz, Secretary of the Board

Dynamic and results-oriented Legal Executive with over 25 years of experience in overseeing legal operations and providing strategic counsel. Proven ability to manage complex legal matters, mitigate risks, and drive organizational compliance. Julia is married and has a son, 20, and a step-daughter, 18. She enjoys giving back to her favorite causes by serving on their Boards in various capacities and is currently serving as our Board Secretary.

Aaron Forum, Treasurer

Aaron Forum is a distinguished firearms professional now working in litigation services as an expert. He possesses extensive experience in firearms training, safety, and operational management across both military and civilian sectors. He has a proven track record of excellence, having founded and designed a ~13,000-square-foot indoor gun range and store, overseeing operations that generated nearly $10 million in annual sales.

With over a decade of service in the United States Army, Aaron Forum earned the coveted “Green Beret” and “Special Forces Tab.” During his military career, he served as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18B) and as the Senior Special Forces Engineer Sergeant (18C) for SFODA 1223 (Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha). While assigned to the US Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School, he instructed the Light Weapons module, training future Special Forces Weapons Sergeants in the employment, maintenance, and zeroing of a wide array of firearms, including pistols, rifles, shotguns, submachine guns, and machine guns. This instruction emphasized the 4 universal rules of firearm safety, originally popularized by Colonel Jeff Cooper and still taught today.

In active duty roles, Aaron Forum trained on and taught the use of dozens of weapon systems, firing hundreds of thousands of rounds during live-fire training across locations such as Georgia, North Carolina, Alaska, Hawaii, South Korea, the Philippines, and Afghanistan. In addition to his weapons expertise, he achieved numerous specialized qualifications, including Special Operations Parachute Jumpmaster, Master Breacher, Senior Mountaineer (Levels 1 and 2), and Improvised Explosive Device Defeat (IEDD) technician. He also holds the Special Operations Foreign and Non-Standard Armorers Course (SOFNAC) certification, equipping him to assess, repair, and maintain a broad range of weapons. His training extends to SERE Level-C certification, preparing him to handle high-risk captivity situations, including resisting interrogation and exploitation.

Following his transition from active duty, Aaron Forum continued to contribute to military and civilian readiness as part of the 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Training Detachment and as a lead trainer for Goruck LLC, conducting over 100 live-fire and tactical training events across the United States. In 2017, he channeled his expertise into the civilian sector, founding Shoot Center LLC in Cape Coral, Florida. He developed comprehensive safety protocols for firearms training and indoor range operations and served as the lead firearms instructor, training thousands of clients in firearm mechanics, safe handling, and responsible ownership. During this time, he also honed his personal skills, achieving a sub-second pistol draw from concealment and conducting frequent live-fire training sessions.

Aaron Forum holds certifications as an NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Pistol Instructor, and USCCA Range Safety Officer. He was formerly a certified NRA Law Enforcement Pistol Instructor. His extensive experience and dedication to firearm safety and training have established him as a trusted authority in the field, with a commitment to excellence that spans both his military and civilian career

Jake Francis, Board Member

Jake has been in the regulated online gaming and technology space for the better part of fifteen years. Currently an SVP for a publicly listed firm with online sportsbooks available in several states, Jake likes to spend his free time on the golf course, reading, and helping out with the Knights of Columbus. Having developed an affinity for Colorado and its residents, he has developed a heart for at-risk youth and wants to help them ease the trauma that they are experiencing.

Brian Gold, Board Member

Brian Gold graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Colorado State University in 1992. For over 31 years, Brian has been the owner and manager of Innovative Mortgage Bankers, specializing in residential mortgage lending here in Colorado. In addition to professional accomplishments, Brian is passionate about financial education, contributing as a Junior Achievement volunteer to teach personal finance to students in grades 4-12 for over 15 years. When not working, Brian spends his time with his wife Kori and chasing his two kids around between soccer, baseball, karate, and girl scouts. On his own time you can usually find Brian at his local bowling alley or on the golf course when the weather allows.

Would you be interested in joining our Board?

If you are interested in joining our board or if you have questions, please email [email protected]

She will reach out and schedule a time to meet. Let’s see if you would be a good fit for us! Committment is minimal, but necessary. Please plan for at least 2 hours a meeting once a month as well as attending and participation in fundraisers.

We would love to have you!

GET IN TOUCH. GET INVOLVED.

Welcome to The Light House Denver, where hope shines bright! We are dedicated to making a positive impact in the foster community and providing support to children in need. Whether you have questions, want to volunteer, or make a donation, we are here for you. Give us a call at (720) 556-4837.

Together, let’s make a difference!