Author: adminsunrise

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Children's Champion Business Impact Donor Generosity Foster Care

Sunrise Children’s Services Receives $10,000 Grant from Park Community Foundation

Park Community Foundation

Today, we were honored to welcome representatives from Park Community Foundation to our campus for a tour and their presentation of a $10,000 Pathways to Prosperity grant! This generous funding will directly support our efforts to recruit and train foster families who can provide safe, loving homes for children in need.

At Sunrise Children’s Services, we believe that every child deserves a place to belong. Many of the children who come into our care have experienced trauma, and some require therapeutic foster care to support their medical or behavioral needs. Others arrive as part of a large sibling group that need to stay together. Through specialized training and support, we ensure that our foster families are fully prepared for this life-changing responsibility.

With more than 8,000 children in Kentucky’s out-of-home care system, the need for dedicated foster families is urgent. Thanks to the Pathways to Prosperity grant, more children will have the chance to experience stability, healing, and hope in a nurturing foster home.

We are incredibly grateful to Park Community Foundation for investing in the future of Kentucky’s children and for believing in our mission to provide hope and healing to those who need it most.

Photo credit: Samuel Cardine

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Independent Living Success Story

Some Success Stories Get Even Better

Independent Living Success

In the summer of 2023, Sunrise celebrated three high school graduates in its independent living program. Austin Burnes was one of those graduates. Austin completed his high school credits in December 2022 and officially graduated and walked in May 2023. He was the first to graduate from high school and the first to attend college. At the time, Austin had recently entered the Sunrise independent living program in Paducah and had just enrolled in West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC).

This was just the beginning for Austin. Sort of. Austin’s time with Sunrise actually began when he was placed in Sunrise foster care at age 14. “When I was growing up, I didn’t have parents to teach me. I needed to find a way and support. But I didn’t have anybody to give me that,” said Austin. “Sunrise gave me support. They helped find a way.”

Austin also found support from another source. “My past life was rough, having to survive on my own – I even had to teach my sister – but God always supplied a way.”

By following God, trusting in Sunrise, and believing in himself, Austin made a major life decision. “It wasn’t in my heart to get adopted. I was very independent,” he explained. Instead, he chose to enter Sunrise’s independent living program. Over the two years that he was in the program, he graduated from college, earning a construction degree from WKCTC; obtained and maintained full time employment for more than a year at Plaza Tires in Paducah; purchased a truck and maintained auto insurance; and opened a savings account.

Austin has recently moved into his own apartment outside of independent living and has bigger dreams. “I want to buy my own home eventually,” he said. “Also, I’m remaining in college to start my own tinting business and clothing brand.”

Austin recognizes that he couldn’t have accomplished all of this without Sunrise. “Sunrise is a good program. Without Sunrise, I wouldn’t have changed,” he stated. “They have opened those doors for me.”

Two things that Austin enjoyed most from being a part of Sunrise’s independent living program were attending the life skills classes and attending an independent living event in Louisville. The life skills classes were especially significant because that is where he learned, and is still learning, money management skills. At the Louisville event, he was able to hear exceptional motivational speakers. “I love hearing how God has worked in peoples’ lives,” said Austin.

Austin wants what he learned to benefit others. For anyone interested in Sunrise independent living, he has this to say: “Allow Sunrise to help you. Take advantage of independent living as much as you can. They are there to help you, not break you.”

Through his faith and persistence, and through help he found at Sunrise, Austin is determined that life will not break him. And now he, like the people he heard speak in Louisville, is an example of how God can work in peoples’ lives. For Austin, one success has led, and is leading, to many more.

 

 

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Residential Treatment

Sunrise Residential Facility Helps Mother and Daughter find reunification

Glen Dale Success Story
A woman and a girl representing a happy mother and daughter. (blue screen)

At 13 years old, Sarah’s* journey took a remarkable turn. Her early years were marked by instability as her mother struggled with addiction. During that time, Sarah lived with extended family, but eventually, she entered the foster care system. Despite the challenges, Sarah always longed for a stable home and a relationship with her mother.

While Sarah was at Sunrise’s Glen Dale Center in Elizabethtown, her mother made significant strides. After a difficult battle, she recovered from her addiction and maintained her sobriety. Sarah, too, was responses, learning healthier ways to cope with the emotional scars left by years of uncertainty.

As Sarah progressed, the possibility of reunification became more than just a dream. Both Sarah and her mother participated in family therapy, which proved to be a pivotal moment in their relationship. Sarah’s mother learned essential parenting skills, and together, they began to rebuild the bond that had been fractured by years of separation. Therapy sessions not only helped them grow individually but also taught them to communicate and understand each other better.

When the time came for Sarah to transition back home, it was a moment of both joy and nervous anticipation. But with the support of the Glen Dale Center and their family therapy sessions, they navigated the process smoothly. Today, Sarah and her mother are thriving. Their home is filled with love, understanding, and the promise of a bright future—a true testament to the power of healing, recovery, and resilience.

Sarah’s story is one of hope and transformation, showing that, with the right support, families can overcome even the most difficult obstacles and rebuild their lives stronger than before.

*Name has been changed to protect the identity of the individual.

Article written by Rachel White, Sunrise program director at Glen Dale Center.

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Donor Generosity Our Agency

Sunrise Thanksgiving Offering Makes a Difference.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” – James 1:27 (NIV)

There is a reason that James 1:27 resonates so much with our staff at Sunrise. That wonderful passage of scripture reminds us to take care of the orphan in their affliction. The orphan is one of the most vulnerable segments of our population, and to care for them is one of the purest ways to show the love of Christ.

Many of the orphaned children we care for have faced atrocities that one can only imagine. They are like the dented can of peaches on the shelf at the grocery that is passed over time and time again because of the damage to its outside. But we know those peaches taste just as sweet if we only put a little more effort into opening the can.

Today’s most vulnerable children in Kentucky are being overlooked time and time again, to the point of having to sleep in state offices because they have nowhere to go and no one who understands what they have experienced. Because of our annual Thanksgiving Offering, Sunrise is able to show these children the healing power that only Christ can deliver.

This offering truly makes a difference in the lives of hurting children and their families. By giving, you can provide hope to a child who has lost all hope. You can build a brighter tomorrow for a child who fears there is no future. You can help a child find a loving home.

That’s why we are asking again this year for 1,000 churches or organizations to give $1,000 to Sunrise’s Thanksgiving Offering. Will your church or organization commit to being one of these 1,000 groups helping thousands of children find a home?

You can give today at sunrise.org/thanksgiving (Please put “Thanksgiving Offering” in the comment section on the online donate form).

We know that your Thanksgiving Offering may be given any time throughout the year, but it is most helpful when we receive that gift between the months of November and April.

It’s a critical time for our Kentucky children.  Will you prayerfully consider giving to Sunrise’s annual Thanksgiving Offering this year? – because every child deserves a home.

 

Article written by Dale Suttles, President of Sunrise Children’s Services

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Children's Champion Business Impact Donor Generosity

Bayou Bluegrass Catering: Serving More Than Meals at Sunrise Children’s Services

At Sunrise Children’s Services, we are continually blessed by the generosity of our community. One such shining example is Bayou Bluegrass Catering of Lexington, led by owner Trevor Johnson and his wife, Shanna, who regularly donate meals to the children and staff at our facilities. Their dedication goes beyond just providing food—it’s about giving back in a deeply personal way.

“When we pull up with the food, you should see the kids’ faces,” Trevor shared. “They are so excited. It makes it all worth it.” For Trevor, his commitment to Sunrise is rooted in his own journey. Having faced a difficult past, he understands the importance of support, love, and second chances. His personal experiences have driven him to give back to those who need it most, ensuring that the children at Sunrise not only receive delicious, home-cooked meals but also a message of hope.

Trevor adds, “My faith in Christ is the real reason I do all this. Because of what He’s done in my life, He has transformed my heart to love and want to serve others. Every time I get the chance to help someone, I do it with gratitude, knowing how blessed I am to be able to make a difference.”

Every meal from Bayou Bluegrass Catering is filled with warmth, care, and the belief that every child deserves to feel valued. Trevor and Shanna’s story is a testament to the power of transformation and the impact one family can have on the lives of many. We are beyond grateful for their continued support and the joy they bring to our Sunrise family.

Thank you, Trevor, Shanna, and Bayou Bluegrass Catering, for making a difference. One meal at a time.

Categories
Our Agency Residential Treatment

Empowering Youth: Sunrise Children’s Services Clients Give Back Through Partnership with Mark12 Ministries

Mark12 Thrift Store

Sunrise Children’s Services and Mark12 Ministries are both located in Bullitt County, and their paths sometimes cross unexpectedly and sometimes not. For example, a teenage boy receiving care at the Spring Meadows Campus in Mt. Washington shared with staff that his father was homeless. It turned out that the boy’s father was being cared for by Mark12 Ministries. When the boy graduated from Spring Meadows, he wanted to give back and began working at Mark12 Ministries. Knowing that Mark12 had helped his family, he wanted to contribute in any way he could to help others in similar situations.

This incident was one of many factors that sparked a conversation between Mark12 and Sunrise Children’s Services about additional ways they could partner. Mark12 operates the Outreach Thrift Store in Shepherdsville, which not only helps cover operational costs for their ministry but also provides much-needed items to those living in Bullitt County. However, the thrift store is always in need of volunteers.

The staff at Sunrise recognized that they could help meet this need while also providing the youth they serve with an opportunity to develop career-related skills and give back to the community.

Mary Edmondson, Sunrise Program Director of Vocational Rehabilitation, was thrilled about the potential partnership. She worked closely with Perry Cooke, Executive Director of Mark12 Ministries, to envision how the teenage boys and girls at Sunrise could volunteer at the thrift store. The youth rotate their volunteer time based on their schedules, and they eagerly look forward to getting away and contributing to something positive. According to Mary, “Mark 12 has been a godsend! The kids love it, and I enjoy watching the Lord work through them. They volunteer their time and the talents the Good Lord has given them, and in return, they have also helped themselves.”

Perry Cooke and his staff share this enthusiasm: “We are excited to partner with a wonderful Christ-centered ministry that shares our mission to care for the least of these. When the boys come in to volunteer, they experience a sense of normalcy, doing what other kids their age are doing after school. Our team looks forward to loving on the boys and making them feel valued and special.”

Many at Sunrise acknowledge the importance of giving back as part of the healing process. “When we give to others, we are actively reflecting on the need to be servants of God through our actions,” said Emmanuel Maize, program director for the Spring Meadows Center. “This is a humbling experience that allows us to connect with others as God would have us to do. Partnerships like these allow our boys to experience the joy and personal growth that come from giving back.”

Written by Jake Pelfrey, Vice President of Marketing and Advancement.

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Independent Living

Sunrise Independent Living Participant Drives To Success

Peyton Adamic stands with her two children after being awarded a Sunrise scholarship check.

When Peyton Adamic entered the Sunrise independent living program, she was a teenage mom to a one-year-old, had not yet graduated from high school, and was pregnant. Not the road many would choose for a successful future. But Peyton is an overcomer, and all she needed was some guidance and support. So, she turned to Sunrise Children’s Services for help, and they responded quickly.

Sunrise found an apartment for Peyton close to her high school. She soon finished school and graduated with the class of 2022.

At this point, Peyton’s life journey was already filled with twists and turns beginning with a challenging childhood that at times even included trips to the courthouse. Not wanting to continue on this path, Peyton did the only thing she could think of – take the exit ramp. “She ran away from her toxic situation and hung out with the wrong crowd,” said Sunrise Independent Living Specialist Jodi McCarty. “She was placed in foster care after missing so much school and refusing to return to her home. She was placed in emergency shelters, residential programs and foster homes. But her last foster home became a large part of her success story.”

By the time she entered Sunrise independent living, Peyton was able to look in the rearview mirror and leave the past behind her, focusing on the road ahead. She began to set goals and achieve them. She found a job working full-time as staff at St. Joseph Peace Mission – a place that she had also been a client. She placed her focus on being an advocate for others and always wanting to better the lives of anyone with whom she came in contact.

The only thing missing on her highway of success was, well, an actual car! And Sunrise was there for her again.

Just recently, Sunrise introduced a new scholarship initiative aimed at providing single mothers within the program with a reliable used car. “This matching scholarship, made possible through the generosity of a dedicated donor, secures vital transportation to help these young women further their education and secure a brighter future for themselves and their children,” explained Sunrise Vice President for Advancement Jake Pelfrey. “This scholarship is not just a financial boost; it’s a lifeline that empowers single mothers to achieve their goals and break the cycle of poverty.”

It was great timing for Peyton. She met the criteria for the scholarship and was soon driving her own car. Now, she is not only figuratively, but literally, driving her way to success. And Sunrise has been a wonderful witness to it.

“I am often amazed by her selfless acts and how kind she is to all she encounters,” stated McCarty. “Peyton is a great mom. I see her practicing gentle parenting, allowing limited screen time for her children, and playing with dinosaurs with her boys – always dinosaurs! Peyton has a desire to see the lives of others change for the better.”

Peyton began college in the fall where she plans to get her degree in social work. She is currently interning with Sunrise through the AmeriCorps iFoster program.

Peyton is just one example of a successful Sunrise independent living participant. This success is due to the determination and commitment of the independent living clients, but also the program itself. “This program provides crucial support in areas such as education, employment, and life skills, equipping participants with the tools they need to achieve self-sufficiency and success,” explained Pelfrey. “Through personalized guidance and resources, the Sunrise independent living program helps individuals navigate the challenges of adulthood while fostering resilience and independence.”

If you would like to learn more about Sunrise’s independent living program or about how you can help sustain our new scholarship initiative, please reach out to us at info@sunrise.org.

Article written by David Lyninger, Sunrise director of communications.

Categories
Foster Care Foster to Adopt Our Agency

Our True Home

Our True Home

There is no greater feeling than the feeling of home. Oh, how I long for home after a long day’s work. To walk through those doors and be greeted by my children as I wrap them in my arms—there truly is no greater feeling. Yet, at Sunrise, we understand that this feeling of home is a foreign concept for many Kentucky kids, which is why we work tirelessly to ensure every child in Kentucky can experience the feeling of home. They deserve it. Why? The Prophet Isaiah states that the concept of home is important to God: “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.”

In FY 2023, Sunrise helped many children find their way home, whether through reunification, foster care, or adoption. However, these acts did not occur in isolation. They were made possible by our generous donors, like you. When you give to Sunrise, you invest in a child’s future. Your gifts help bring them to a place of peace—a place they can call home. Whether it’s through in-kind gifts to reduce costs, memorial giving to honor a loved one, mentoring a youth, or becoming a monthly Children’s Champion, your contributions fuel our beautiful mission of providing care and healing to children and families through Christ-centered ministries. Your generosity works in tandem with our loving and experienced staff, many of whom have been with Sunrise for decades. Your giving, volunteering, and praying all contribute to bringing healing and hope to children. We are so grateful for your support!

Home is important to Sunrise because it is important to our Heavenly Father. He desires everyone to find Home, and we know that in Him, we find our true home. And in this secure dwelling, we are empowered to be His hands and feet, extending our care to these precious children so that they might know the feeling of home.

To learn more about the impact made by Sunrise Children’s Services in Fiscal Year 2023, click here to download our Annual Report.

Written by Jake Pelfrey Vice President for Marketing and Advancement

Categories
Children's Champion Business Impact Donor Generosity

Peoples Bank Foundation Invests In Children . . . and Sunrise

On June 26, 2024, representatives from Peoples Bank stopped by the Sunrise Ministry Support Center (MSC) in Mt. Washington to present a donation from Peoples Bank Foundation to Sunrise President Dale Suttles. Usually, it’s the other way around – representatives from Sunrise Children’s Services often visit the bank to make deposits. But the relationship Sunrise has with Peoples Bank is special. And this was a special day.

All the Sunrise staff working at the MSC that day gathered in the lobby to witness Peoples Bank Senior Vice President Joseph Seiler and Commercial Banking Portfolio Officer Zack Owen generously give $10,000 to Sunrise’s ministry, with the promise of two more $10,000 checks coming in the next two years.

“We view it as an investment,” said Seiler. “Peoples Bank has a philosophy that we want to be a part of the community; we want to serve the community; we want to help the community grow. We want to support the people and the institutions that are going to make our communities better.”

This special relationship with Sunrise began in 2019 with Limestone Bank (before it merged with Peoples Bank). “The former president of Limestone and I came out to meet with Dale, and we had a really open and honest conversation about how we might be able to work together,” explained Seiler. “We refinanced their previous lender, and we provided a lot of necessary capital for Sunrise to grow its mission and get over the hump.”

And then came COVID. “That was kind of a bump in the road,” Seiler said. “But we all stayed steady and, as good partners do, we locked arms and kept moving forward. It’s been a good relationship for both, and we just look forward to continuing it.”

And it was that relationship that led Seiler and Owen to walk through the MSC doors with their generous gift. It is a gift that Peoples Bank Foundation is trusting Sunrise to use how they feel is best. “I think that Sunrise knows best what they do and what they need to do, and we want them to continue their mission to serve at-risk children and give these children opportunity and more hope.”

Sunrise also trusts Peoples Bank and values their partnership. “They understand the problem in the Commonwealth. They understand what it takes so they are investing in a vision; but they are investing in a vision that they think is on the right path,” Suttles said. “And I think that means more to me and more to Sunrise than anything because they’ve seen us in our darkest times, when we had to fight for our very existence. They were investing in us then and continue to invest in us now.”

All of us at Sunrise appreciate Peoples Bank and Peoples Bank Foundation for their partnership; but more importantly, we value and appreciate the investment they are making in the lives of hurting children throughout this state.

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Donor Generosity Solid Rock Childrens Ranch

Ephesus Baptist Church Hosts Baptist Bikers as They Ride to the Ranch in Winchester

On Saturday May 18, Ephesus Baptist Church in Winchester once again hosted the Baptist Bikers of Kentucky for their annual Ride or Drive to the Ranch to benefit Sunrise Children’s Services’ Solid Rock Children’s Ranch.

Twenty-two motorcycles, several trucks and cars (or “cages” as the Baptist Bikers call them!), and two church vans made the trip from the Rockcastle Baptist Association office in Rockcastle County to Liberty Avenue Baptist Church in Berea to pick up more riders, and then finally to Ephesus Baptist Church in Winchester, where they celebrated with a lunch. Churches who participated in the drive were Fairview Baptist Church and Freedom Baptist Church, both in Mt. Vernon.

Dr. Todd Rader, Pastor of Ephesus Baptist Church, welcomed participants in their parking lot. Randy McPheron, Founder and President of Baptist Bikers of Kentucky, received $9,1000 from bikers and churches that will benefit Sunrise’s Solid Rock Children’s Ranch. McPheron, who is also the current Kentucky Baptist Convention (KBC) President and Associational Mission Strategist for the Rockcastle Association of Kentucky Baptists, handed the money over to Judy Singleton who accepted on behalf of Solid Rock.

(It has been Singleton’s dream for many years for the creation of Solid Rock Children’s Ranch. In 2016, the former teacher from Clark County, generously donated her land of 130 acres in Winchester to Sunrise to be used to establish a new community of care for sibling groups in foster care. Sunrise is excited to share that Singleton’s dream is now becoming reality. Thanks to the generous gifts from community leaders and faithful supporters like Baptist Bikers of Kentucky, the first two Solid Rock houses will be constructed this summer).

As everyone made it into the church building from the parking lot, lunch was served. While they were enjoying their meal, Bob Jeffries, a special guest of McPheron, was invited to speak. Jeffries shared his own foster kid story. As a young boy and part of a large sibling group, he was cared for by Sunrise (known then as Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children). He was eventually adopted and throughout his life encountered several positive role models from the KBC. Jeffries shared his support of Solid Rock, and after lunch, all riders and drivers were invited to visit the land where Solid Rock will be constructed.

Sunrise wishes to thank everyone who made this Ride or Drive to the Ranch such a success, including: Liberty Avenue Baptist Church for providing snacks, Church of the Living God in Winchester for providing lunch, Dr. Todd Rader and Ephesus Baptist Church for hosting, Randy McPheron and the Baptist Bikers of Kentucky for their continued support of Sunrise, and of course to Ms. Judy Singleton for her dream of Solid Rock.

To be a part of this dream, you can sign up to help construct the two houses on the property in Winchester this June. All ages and all skill levels are welcome to participate. Even if you can volunteer one day or a part of a day, it would be greatly appreciated. Go to the following link to sign up to volunteer: Mississippi Nailbenders & Friends: Solid Rock Children’s Ranch Build Winchester, Kentucky (signupgenius.com)

Article written by David Lyninger, Sunrise director of communications.