March Beacon of Light

Magical. If there were one word to describe David Billhimer, it would be magical.

It is never easy to highlight just one young person—because each brings something special—but David is truly one of a kind. A rare gem and a genuine treasure, David has an incredible way of bringing joy to every space he enters. His light shines brightly, illuminating others and serving as a guiding lighthouse for Project LIFE’s Beacons of Light.

Though naturally shy, David has never met a stranger. He is a consistently committed participant in Project LIFE workshops and is always encouraging and recruiting fellow foster youth to attend, get involved, and connect with the program and resources. David leads not by words alone, but by example.

David is a full-time student at Reynolds Community College, and an advocate for the Great Expectations program. He is the CEO of Joan’s Bakery, and if you know David he never misses an opportunity to pitch his business. He started it to commemorate his grandmother, and from his personal experience growing up in a family of 6, entering foster care, and having birthdays often overlooked (thus a birthday cake was rare). David knew firsthand what it felt like to go without being celebrated. Joan’s goal is to ensure foster youth and other children can enjoy a cake at no cost. Joan’s Baked Goods is more than a bakery, it is a business built on purpose, compassion and grit. The list doesn’t stop there. David is also a SPEAKOUT representative and employed part-time at Bon Secours as a security guard. David is clearly & proudly recognized as a Central Region’s All-Star. He rarely misses a Project LIFE Independent Living workshop and is often the reason others attend—inviting peers, building bridges, and creating meaningful connections across programs and communities.

Beyond participation, David gives generously of his time and heart. He provides one-on-one peer support, educational guidance, assists youth in navigating systems, and shows up whenever help is needed. From being Ms. T’s unofficial IT tech, meteorologist, and Google expert, to offering transportation support so youth can safely attend or leave workshops—David consistently steps up.

Most recently, David played a vital role in supporting Project LIFE and the IMPACT Living program by helping resolve transportation barriers for a visually impaired youth, ensuring safe and reliable access to workshops. He also assists with workshop setup, skill delivery, facilitation, and provides valuable insight during activities and youth discussions. David doesn’t just attend—he engages fully.

His peers and staff echo this sentiment:

“David is a great friend. He has a heart of gold and brings joy and light to every room he walks into. I’m grateful to have someone so smart, kind, and caring in my life.” — JoJo & Josiyah Gardley, CEO of Kisses to Remember Lip Gloss Line

“David really steps in when he is needed. He’s fun to be around and incredibly insightful.” — Stephanie McVicker, CEO of A Clean Slate Cleaning Company

“I love David! He talks to me and he is funny!” — Journey, age 5, Young CEO & Stephanie’s daughter

“David is not only a great support but a great friend. From transporting youth, capturing moments, setting up and breaking down workshops, to adding meaningful engagement—David is always there. He goes above and beyond to make sure everyone feels included, heard, and uplifted.” — Lacey Radford, CEO of Little Light Balloons

David embodies kindness, humor, dedication, and heart. He uplifts everyone around him and exemplifies what it means to lead with compassion and purpose.

Thank you, David, for showing up, shining brightly, and being our Central Region’s March Beacon of Light.