Craig Schweiger is in the market for a home that can accommodate overnight guests and has space to feed 275 people a day.

The former president of Federated Mortgage Corp. in Mt. Washington is searching for a new facility to house the various social service programs of Light of Life Rescue Mission in the North Side.

Serving the nonprofit is no longer his passion. It's his job.

Schweiger, 43, of Franklin Park was hired last month as executive director of Light of Life. The mission has been a beacon for many of Pittsburgh's homeless since 1953.

His immediate goal is to find a new home for Light of Life. The nonprofit has outgrown the three-story building it has occupied on East North Avenue since the late 1970s.

"Light of Life is more than just a soup kitchen," Schweiger said. "Because we have so many programs to offer, we need more room."

The faith-based organization operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist the homeless and recovering addicts by providing shelter, family therapy, education and counseling.

Last year, Light of Life assisted nearly 300 men and women in recovery programs, said Beth Healy, the organization's public relations manager. Additionally, 650 people were served by a number of outreaches, which include emergency shelters, daily meals and various picnics held throughout the year. The mission provides 275 meals daily, Healy said.

"One of the challenges going forward is either expanding the physical footprint (of the building) or moving the location," said Don Foster, chairman of Light of Life's board of directors. "That's where Craig is focused right now."

A North Hills native and 1986 North Allegheny High School graduate, Schweiger became the first in his family to go to college when he was awarded a football scholarship to attend Westminster College in New Wilmington, Lawrence County.

He graduated from Westminster in 1990 with a degree in finance and began working for a mortgage company. In 1994, founded a title and closing agency and A. Allen Adams Contracting Inc., a Franklin Park-based custom builder of luxury homes.

In 2002, he co-founded Federated Mortgage, a licensed mortgage lender, in the Trimont Building in Mt. Washington. After weathering the recession, Schweiger resigned from Federated Mortgage in September 2009. He remains a shareholder and sits on the board of directors.

A supporter of the mission for years, he headed a committee formed in 2007 to find the nonprofit a new location. He was renovating homes in the North Side when David Bugher, Light of Life's executive director since 2003, resigned in April to take a similar position in Jacksonville.

Schweiger met with Foster weeks later to voice his desire that the new director continue the search for a new facility.

Although he had no background in nonprofits, Foster said, Schweiger met most of the criteria the board was looking for in its new leader: a fresh set of eyes, leadership skills and a strong real estate background.

"Craig was expressing his desires as to what direction the mission should go in, and we were trading ideas on an executive director when something clicked," Foster said. "A light bulb went off. He was talking with his head and his heart."

An hour into the conversation, Schweiger agreed to submit his application. He started on July 11.

Although he's been tasked with finding a new facility, he remains dedicated to the programs the mission offers and said God called on him to help.

"I am a faithful man," Schweiger said. "I really believe that if you give help, there's a huge upside."

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