Da’Cino Da’Marcus Dees wakes up in a house across the street from Light of the Village. John and Dolores recently bought the property and dubbed it the Lighthouse. They plan to use it for children who need a place to stay. Da’Cino will provide supervision. It has been completely remodeled. A little work still needs to be done – installation of cabinets and baseboards – but not much.

Da’Cino stands about six feet, four inches and keeps a beard cut to a thin line along his jawbone. He likes to wear T-shirts and gym shorts and flip-flops no matter the weather. A wide smile explodes across his face when he laughs. What up my boi! he shouts when he sees children at the church. He wants them to look at him as someone who lived through what they’re experiencing and made it. Most people say no way when he tells them he’s from Prichard. They think he has a Mexican name even though he’s Black.