Renee Soto was born in Seattle Washington but since high school has lived in the valley. She graduated from Mt, Whitney High School and married her high school sweetheart Dennis Soto not too long after. Renee has two grown children and four grandchildren.
Renee is a State Farm Insurance Agent with a local business at 306 North K Street here in Tulare. She has been an agent since 2008. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Management and a Masters of Arts in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Fresno Pacific. She is a Chartered Financial Consultant, Retirement Income Certified Specialist and Chartered Life Underwriter through The American College of Financial Services.
Renee is involved in several organizations within Tulare. She is a past President of the local Rotary Club and a past Chair of Tulare Chamber of Commerce. She currently serves as a commissioner on the Board of Public Utilities and a board member for The Lighthouse Rescue Mission.
Her hobbies are spending time with her family and three dogs. She loves to travel, hike and ride her electric bicycle.

Louis Sparks has been serving the homeless in Tulare at the behest of God who called him to do so in 2004. At that time, he worked closely with the city and other community members to launch the TLRM in 2005. According to Louis, the TLRM’s greatest asset has always been the people who make up the community of Tulare and the TLRM’s purpose in building and strengthening that community of those less fortunate amongst us. “We serve an awesome God in an incredible community amongst the greatest of people; what more could one want?”

Louis serves as the pastor of the Tulare Foursquare Church, The River, and has done so since October 2000.

Raymond Van Beek was asked to join the TLRM board in 2006 and didn't imagine he would still be on the board in 2020! “What started as yes I can help, has grown into this thing that is making an impact in the community, and I want to be part of it” says Van Beek. Raymond is proud to be part of a rescue mission that originally started as a women’s shelter and is now assisting men in the community too.

Raymond has been in agriculture his entire life, while growing up his family was in the dairy business. In 1998, Raymond made the change and now grows almonds, walnuts and pistachios.

Karen Beemus came to work for the Lighthouse in January, 2021 Beginning as a Peer Support Advisor, she quickly moved up the ranks and became the Executive Director in August, 2021. Karen is responsible for all daily Lighthouse operations and represents the Lighthouse in community events and interactions. She graduated from Leadership Tulare class of 2024 and is an Ambassador for The Tulare Chamber of Commerce. She has been working with the unhoused community for 6 years and loves that GOD has called her to such a purpose and has entrusted her with the lives of all the precious souls The Lighthouse serves.
Karen is a certified AOD Specialist and is working towards her Bachelors in Social Work. She graduated with honors from West Hills College.
Karen has one adult daughter and three amazing grandsons. She loves spending time with them and teaching them about JESUS. She also enjoys camping and anything that has to do with the mountains.