Author: adminsunrise

Categories
Foster Care Foster to Adopt

Single Mother Trusts in God, Reunites with Children

At Sunrise we often celebrate success stories in our foster families, including adoptions. But we realize that many children have a goal of reunification with their birth families. And so do many parents.

For Arnisha Shegog, parent of four children, that goal was realized. On November 4, 2021, Shegog was reunited with all four of her children. This was actually after the second time her children were placed in the foster care system.

The first time her kids entered foster care occurred when one of her children was abused by a family member. At that time, Shegog was a single mother, just coming home from the hospital with her fourth child. “I needed to seek mental help because I was unable to help my kids and be a proactive mother,” said Shegog. “I didn’t have family to turn to . . . so I leaned a shoulder on foster care . . . . Foster care took my kids in and did the best that they could. So that was the first round.”

The second time occurred when she was married. Less than two weeks after her marriage ceremony, one of Shegog’s daughters shared with an adult at school that she felt unsafe at home. “I was the victim of domestic violence,” stated Shegog. “My kids had to go back to foster care.”

During this incredibly difficult time, Shegog turned to her faith. “I needed to really speak to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as my higher power,” she said. “And I was like, ‘God, help me get out of this situation. I’m stuck. I have my kids in foster care. I’m married. What do I need to do?’”

Shegog quickly realized that she too had to remove herself from an unsafe environment. “I had to seek divorce, and I had to seek ways of helping my kids get out of a situation of foster care,” she stated. She also sought help for herself: getting domestic violence counseling, dealing with past trauma, and taking care of her mental health.

In the middle of all this, she heard God’s voice clearer than ever. “God was like, ‘Dig deeper. I need you to come closer to me,’” she recalled. And when she did, she knew exactly what to do: start a non-profit organization to break the silence of women caught in domestic violence. “So, I started a non-profit, the Arnisha Shegog Mentorship Program, which cares for basically anyone that wants to have a voice (or who is needing help),” said Shegog. The program officially began on July 26, 2021.

While her children were in foster care the second time, Shegog focused on getting herself back to a better place mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. “I basically gave my kids back to Christ because I knew what I’ve done to put them in that unpredictable circumstance; now I needed to work on myself,” she said. “So, I gave my kids back to God. And I said, ‘God, I’ve done all the assessments that the court wanted me to do, I’m visiting them on time, I’m making sure I’m being a good correspondent to whatever they need.’ As much as I can do, I did; then it was time for me to work on myself. So, that’s what I’ve done. And November 4, that’s when I got my kids back.”

Shegog was joyful and appreciative to receive her children back in her home. She is also very appreciative of the care that her children received in the foster care system. Her oldest girl was fostered by a family at the girl’s elementary school, and her two boys were fostered by the owner of the daycare center they attended.

Her youngest daughter, who was living in multiple foster homes, was eventually placed in a Sunrise foster family. “Sunrise has my absolute approval!” exclaimed Shegog. “You can sleep at night with so much ease. Beautiful organization and beautiful people.”

Stacy and John Tyler White were the Sunrise foster parents who fostered Shegog’s youngest girl. Both are on staff at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Hopkinsville. John Tyler is the worship and missions pastor, and Stacy is the outreach and assimilation director. “John Tyler is exceptional. Stacy is beautiful inside and out. Their whole family is beautiful,” said Shegog. “They understand the inside and out of raising kids within foster care. Sunrise is a Christian-faith-based organization, so I felt good knowing that my daughter was loved under God.”

It has been quite a journey for Shegog, and she now finds herself and her family at a good place. “It may be chaotic when I go to Walmart with two buggies, because one’s for groceries and one’s for household items, but that’s my peace. At the end of the day, my kids are happy,” she stated. “I had to realize that I’d rather have those two Walmart buggies, being at peace and at joy with my kids at the end of the day, than being in a chaotic marriage.”

Through it all, Shegog is thankful for God’s presence every step of the way. “God brought me out of my deepest, darkest place. I really see what God is doing in my life. My purpose is to speak life and to bring awareness,” she said. “If my kids weren’t (placed into foster care), I wouldn’t have found my joy of being a mentor for other people.”

As a mentor, she has lots to say to people who are going through experiences that she has already walked through. “You think that child services, or CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), or the Department of Children and Family Services are against you; but they’re just holding up a red banner saying, ‘You need help.’ Use that red banner to go and seek help,” she stated passionately. “And don’t be ashamed if you have mental illness. You’re still a good person just like anybody else.”

And she has a special message for single mothers: “For the single mothers out there with one kid up to multiple kids like me, if I can do it with four kids, you can do it with one or two. God bless!”

And may God bless you, Arnisha, as you continue to pour your life and love into your family and into the lives of others. You are truly a blessing to many.

Categories
Donor Generosity Our Agency Residential Treatment

Donor’s ministry to Sunrise began with a two-dollar bill!

Wanda Sullivan, former Administrative Assistant at the New Hope Pregnancy Center, had heard of Sunrise Children’s Services but hadn’t yet made any real connection with its ministry. That changed in 2018 when she retired from her job. “The Lord just kind of put a burden on my heart for Sunrise,” Sullivan said. “So, I told my pastor, Brother Robbie Fairley at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Shepherdsville, that I would be reaching out to Sunrise.”

Sullivan did just that. And then she waited. And prayed. Her specific prayer was: “Lord, I’m putting out the fleece. If our church or myself were supposed to connect to Sunrise, just have the person that I talk to contact Brother Robbie and say this is the place.” God answered. But not exactly in the way she asked.

Shortly after her talk with her pastor, and while she was eating out with some of her friends, Brother Robbie Fairley called her. And missed her. Sullivan called back. But he missed her call. Finally, they connected. “You know that fleece you put out about Sunrise?” Fairley told her over the phone. “Well, the person that you wanted to contact me didn’t, but Stewart stopped by here and wanted to know what you all are going to do.” (Stewart Haag is the activities and volunteer coordinator at Sunrise’s Spring Meadows Center in Mt. Washington). “I think you got your answer,” Fairley concluded.
That began four years ago. From the very start, Sullivan wanted to find a mission at Spring Meadows that no one else was fulfilling. Stewart Haag suggested coming once a month to celebrate birthdays because a lot of the boys had never had a birthday party. Sullivan loved the idea. “The first Sunday of every month, regardless if there’s a birthday or not, we come over and have cake,” Sullivan shared. “It’s a birthday cake if there are birthdays; if not, we just do some kind of cake.” Since then, Sullivan and her church have added Christmas. But for Sullivan, the birthday celebrations will always be her called mission. “Our birthdays are our thing,” she explained.

Along with a cake, Sullivan and a small group of three other church members lead a one-hour party with all the boys and leave behind a gift for the birthday boy. Four years ago, the birthday gift was actually a two-dollar bill. “The two-dollar bill got started with our first group,” said Sullivan. “They enjoyed getting the two-dollar bills. They got it, and they were like, ‘I got a two-dollar bill!’” Today, Sullivan and her group give the birthday boys at Spring Meadows gift cards or other items, adapting to the new boys in the program and to their interests.

But what Sullivan hopes most to give to the boys is something long lasting and even life changing. “We share the gospel with them; that’s our main goal,” she said. One young man from Spring Meadows accepted Jesus as his savior and was baptized in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church the first year of the birthday parties. “I want (the boys) to take away that there are people in the world that care about them, and there is a church in Bullitt County that has been faithful to them,” Sullivan continued. “These boys have been let down by the very people that should love them the most. And they get forgotten . . . . Our main thing is that somebody out there cares about them.”

Sullivan understands that there are many misconceptions about the boys who live at Spring Meadows Center. “Yes, there are some here because of bad choices that they made, but there are groups here that have different needs; they are the victims,” she said. “So, it doesn’t matter why they’re here; this is our opportunity. You know, either be a part of the solution, or you’re a part of the problem.”

It is clear that Sullivan is passionate about her ministry to the Spring Meadows boys. “Those boys have stolen my heart.” she stated. “It just makes my heart happy to be around them. They lift me up. I enjoy they’re company; I enjoy they’re honesty. And, I don’t know, I just love being around them.”

One of the many boys at Spring Meadows who captured Sullivan’s heart is Josh.* “He wanted to be a chef – a chef!” Wanda exclaimed. “And this kid, every month we would go, it would be like, ‘Miss Wanda, I have a new recipe for you.’ We were talking about hot chocolate. ‘Put some peppermint in that hot chocolate.’ And every time I do that now, I think about (Josh).”
For Sullivan, these monthly birthday parties are truly a mission given to her by God alone. “My prayer is that whatever God wants to do with Pleasant Grove in this ministry – if it’s to do the birthday party once a month until He calls us home, or in another way – then I want Him to lead this ministry,” she explained. “I thank Him for giving it to me, but I don’t own it.”

And all of us at Sunrise thank you, Wanda Sullivan, along with your church group and everyone at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Shepherdsville for consistently and genuinely caring for the boys who live at Sunrise’s Spring Meadows Center in Mt. Washington. You are helping our kids know they are valued, much more than a two-dollar bill.

Categories
Our Agency

Teenager’s Act of Kindness Impacts Sunrise

Seventeen-year-old Avery Krahwinkel recently asked her friends to donate items to Sunrise foster care instead of giving her gifts on her birthday. And they did! Items donated included soap, bubble bath, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, toys, and 32 jumbo rolls of toilet paper!

“I did something similar last year during the pandemic since I knew non-profits were struggling with having less volunteers and donations,” said Avery. “I am very fortunate and don’t need a bunch of gifts. And since people would be willing to spend money to get me a present, I asked them to spend money on donations instead.”

Avery first heard of Sunrise in 2020. “I am involved with the Owensboro Impact 100 Next Generation organization, and we toured Sunrise last year because they were one of our grant finalists,” she said. “I had never heard of Sunrise before, but after visiting I was able to see all the great work they are doing. They do a lot for this community, and I figured I could try to help by collecting donations.”

It was quite clear to Avery what she wanted to occur from this act of kindness. “First and foremost, I hope I was able to help families in need that Sunrise works with,” she explained. “I hope my friends see that they don’t necessarily need a lot of birthday gifts, and maybe they could start asking for donations instead.”

Avery has this message for others: “Overall, I hope people take away how easy it is to be kind. Don’t take being fortunate for granted, and try to use your privilege to help people in need.”

Sunrise foster care in Owensboro is extremely grateful to Avery for her generosity, and we are all touched by her compassionate and caring heart. Thank you, Avery!

Categories
Foster Care Foster to Adopt

Former Sunrise Foster Kid Gives Back to Sunrise

Autumn Todd knows all about Sunrise Children’s Services back when it was Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children. She experienced the program firsthand as a foster child living in about six or seven different Sunrise foster homes, in our former Dixon Center (on two separate occasions), and in our former Genesis Home (in Mayfield). “I spent probably over half my childhood in (Sunrise) placement,” Autumn said.

Autumn appreciates the help she received from Sunrise. “I would say that getting placement in Sunrise Children’s Services really helped me learn coping skills to control a lot of anger issues and to understand how my childhood abuse and trauma had affected me,” she said. “It gave me those coping skills to emerge from (the trauma) and move forward as an adult.”

But it wasn’t always easy. “Honestly, one of the hardest times for me was going through group homes, not having a family, and then constantly seeing people go in and out, in and out, in and out,” she stated. “It was really rough.”

Fortunately, Autumn always felt the love and support from the Sunrise staff. “I really feel like, growing up in Sunrise placement, whenever I came to a new home, or I came to a group home, they did not judge me. They just wanted to care for me. They wanted to give me a safe place and somewhere to start new, somewhere to learn new things,” she said. “And I feel like they gave me the ‘love your neighbor’ essence . . . through all those actions and through the lack of (judging), just making me feel that I belong and giving me those coping skills, and giving me the treatment and the care that I needed.”

Today, Autumn is married to her husband, Travis, and has two daughters: Beatrice, who is 10 years old, and Luna, who is five. Autumn and Travis also own a cell phone repair business together called IBuyCell&Fix, in Princeton. Now as an adult, it seemed like the right time for Autumn to give back to Sunrise. “We were finally in a position to do something for the children that were in the situation I grew up in,” she stated. And that’s exactly what they did.

At the end of 2021, they began a collection drive at their business to bring in personal hygiene items for the girls and boys currently living in Sunrise’s residential centers. They ended up collecting enough items for the kids as well as for victims of the tornado that hit the community, and for adults living in a local adult group home called Highland Homes. “(Our business) is in a very small shop, and the whole lobby was filled,” shared Autumn. “It was really crazy the community support we got from this.”

With the hygiene items, it was important for Autumn that the Sunrise kids each received a two-month supply. “The reason we chose hygiene items is because growing up in the group homes and the foster homes, I was only allotted $10 a month,” she explained. “The children in state custody today are still only allotted $10 a month! I just remember all the times when things went missing or somebody would steal my stuff because they couldn’t afford stuff of their own. It was just the worst feeling . . . . So, that’s why we chose (to do this).”

This year, she plans to go even bigger, collecting more of the same items they did last year, and adding clothing. Autumn is hoping to get a list of each child’s sizes prior to the drive. She’s also planning to collect even more items for Highland Homes. “We’re going to start it much earlier,” she said. “We’re probably going to start it a month-and-a-half before Christmas, and we’re going to pay for some advertising for it.”

Eventually, in the years to come, she wants to provide for the Sunrise residential kids what was provided for her when she was in residential care: a pancake breakfast. “We want to rent the town hall or go to the group itself and do a pancake breakfast and bring Santa and all the kids’ presents,” Autumn said. “It was just one of the coolest things that happened to me whenever it was the holiday time.”

Most of all, she wants to give to the girls and boys of Sunrise a sense of belonging. “I want to have a meal with them and give them a sense of family,” she shared. “I was one of the few kids in the group home who didn’t have family. A lot of the girls had someone that would come pick them up for home visits. I didn’t at all. And I would sit there on Christmas, with a staff member, by myself; and the best thing I got to do was pick the movie. It was so sad, honestly. And I just hate that.”

This has led Autumn to consider a more permanent way to help replace sadness with happiness in the life of current foster kids. “We are looking into fostering,” she shared. She has recently been talking with her former Sunrise therapist, Angie, about fostering in the near future. Autumn and Travis are purchasing their first home and are already making plans to renovate and add more bedrooms. “Whenever we get (the renovation) done, we (want to) start fostering,” said Autumn.

As a former foster kid herself, Autumn has a unique understanding of what current foster children are experiencing. She wants them to know that even though they have a different way of thinking because of their upbringing, everything will be okay. Her personal word to current foster children is this: “You have to focus on your mental health; focus on breaking generational curses and identifying your triggers. And learn that even though you grew up in this situation – in state custody or in foster homes or in group homes – it doesn’t mean that you can’t be successful, because you definitely can. You just have to want it. And you have to want to break those generational curses.”

It appears that Autumn is well on her way to breaking the generational curses in her own life, and is now doing what she can to instill that drive in others, particularly in those who have been on a similar journey. Thank you, Autumn, for showing us what a former foster kid can become, and what a remarkable future foster parent might look like!

Categories
Foster Care Foster to Adopt Our Agency Residential Treatment Solid Rock Childrens Ranch

Sunrise Adoption Partnership T-Shirt

Show your support of Sunrise Children’s Services with this exclusive Coffeetarian charity partnership t-shirt. This shirt is only available for a limited time! All proceeds go directly towards Sunrise, helping them to make a difference in thousands of families around Kentucky.

.: 100% Cotton
.: Classic fit
.: Tear-away label

Buy Now: https://coffeetarian.store/products/sunrise-adoption-partnership-t-shirt

Categories
Foster Care Foster to Adopt

Dear Devan . . .

The following letter is from Ashley Wyatt, a Sunrise foster parent. She gave the letter to her son on the day of his adoption.

Dear Devan,

You have been my family since the moment I met you in the River Valley waiting area. You were our first call; I was hesitant at first, I won’t lie, but my gut told me you needed me and I needed you. You coming to live with us has been one of the greatest adventures of my life. We had some rough times in the beginning, that’s no doubt. There has been happiness, stress, tears, a lot of firsts. But it didn’t take me long to know that you were meant to be my son and I was meant to be your mom. Sometimes I feel like God made you for us from the very beginning. Heck, you even look like us. I don’t know why our journey to get to each other was filled with such heartache. I’ll never understand why you had to go through so much pain; if I could take it from you I would. But even if I don’t understand, I’m thankful to have what we have now. As one of my favorite songs says, “It’s not where you come from, it’s where you belong.” There is no doubt in my mind that you belong here. We have loved you for 997 days now; I’ve waited for this moment to make you officially my son for what feels like a lifetime and I’m so incredibly happy to be able to do so today! You’re such a sweet boy. You love us, you love people and care about others, you’re funny and smart, your laugh lights up my world, I love the goofy things you say and do. You are the best big brother; you are protective of your family. You are one of the strongest people I know. People tell me we changed your life, but really you changed ours! You made me a mom. My first baby, my son.

So today on your adoption day, I will promise you a few things. I promise to always love you, no matter what you do. I promise to never give up on you. I promise to always keep you safe. I promise to support your dreams, even if they aren’t what I think you should do. I promise to love you even when you make bad decisions or do something crazy, because I feel like we are going to have some of those moments. I just want you to know that no matter what the future holds, Momma is going to be right beside you.

I will forever be thankful that you were given to us. I love you infinity baby.

Love, Momma 💙

Categories
Foster Care Foster to Adopt

SUNRISE CELEBRATES ANOTHER ADOPTION!

Sunrise Parents Welcome Two More to their Family

Jeff and Kathleen Grams are the proud parents of Harriet and Tobias Grams. Their adoption occurred on October 5th, 2021 in Hart County. Jeff and Kathleen are Sunrise foster parents with the Bowling Green foster care office.

In the picture above, Jeff and Kathleen are on the far left, with Tobias and Harriet on the far right.

 

Categories
Uncategorized

From Surviving to Thriving

Ricky*, age 13, and his sister, Riley*, age 11, were referred to Sunrise after they were removed from their home due to extreme neglect. They lived in seven different cities and states in the last two years. Their mother would pick up their few belongings and move every time it was discovered the children were not in school.

They often lived in their vehicle and would have short stays in homeless shelters. When they did have a home, their mother never allowed them outside, often leaving them in filthy rooms without food or appropriate clothing.

But God had a plan when they came to Western Kentucky. Accepted by an awesome set of Sunrise foster parents, it was soon discovered that these kids were significantly behind in education and in motor and social skills. The mother was heartbroken when she learned that one of the children didn’t know how to run. Each time Riley tried, it would be awkward and she would fall. Can you imagine a child not knowing how to run and play?

Ricky and Riley were loved and nurtured by this HUGE family who had several other adoptive and foster children. After being robbed of their childhood – hiding out and virtually trying to survive – they learned to laugh, play games, and discover what it means to just be children.

Ricky has learned that he loves to cook, and Riley has taken a leadership role as the oldest female child, and is often overheard giving loving advice and direction to her foster siblings. Ricky and Riley are now thriving!

They have made lifelong friends and have a wonderful support system through their foster parents, Sunrise therapist and case manager, as well as their church family. We are so thankful that God has allowed Sunrise to minister to these children and so happy this family said YES!

*Names have been changed to protect the identity of individuals.

Categories
Residential Treatment

Andy Discovers a Bright Future at Cumberland Adventure Program

On August 4, 2020 Andy* was placed at Sunrise’s Cumberland Adventure Program (CAP) in Bronston for beyond-control behavior that made it impossible for his mother to keep him safe. From the day he arrived until just a few months before he left, he literally shook from head to toe with anxiety, daily.

The staff at CAP dealt with the usual beginning issues: Andy was angry that he was not at home; he resented being away from family and friends; and he was having issues adjusting to the program. With time, he began to acclimate to the program and build relationships with peers and staff. Thus, his transformation began.

Andy worked very hard in individual and family therapy to build a more positive relationship with his mother and brother and replace negative thoughts and behaviors with positive, more appropriate responses.

On June 8 of this year, a young man with a very different mindset discharged and went back home to his mother and brother. “Yes sir,” and, “No, ma’am,” were now his normal responses when asked to do something. He had learned consideration for what was best for the other boys living in the Sunrise cabin as a whole rather than just what was best for him personally. Andy now has a stronger belief in himself that will help him when others try to control his thinking and actions. These positive thoughts and behaviors have become second nature to him.

Susan Hicks, Andy’s therapist at CAP, received a call from Andy’s mom a few weeks ago. She cried as she thanked Hicks and the other staff members for returning the son she once knew back to her. Hicks thanked her but explained that all the hard work and positive choices were done by her son, and Sunrise only provided him with skills that Andy chose to utilize to bring about those positive changes. Some days in the cabin are hard, but this particular day went a little bit easier for the staff at CAP because they knew our program had helped this young man return to the home and bright future he so rightly deserves.

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

Categories
Our Agency

A Message from our President

Sunrise is pleased to announce that by God’s wonderful grace we have reached a contract agreement with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS). We are proud to be that partner and will continue to do our best to help children and families across this commonwealth. We are thankful for this day and opportunity.

We are also thankful for the prayers and support from thousands of Kentuckians. It has been amazing to hear from so many that care deeply about this ministry. We have had many friends across the state that have stood up and shown their support for Sunrise. And all of this made a difference.

We are blessed by all of you who have stood beside us in our fight for Kentucky’s kids.

This has not been an easy road, but we are so grateful that we do have a signed agreement between Sunrise and CHFS. We have been knocked down many times before, but we are now ready to get up and fly. So, join us. Stand beside us. Walk with us. And let’s fly together toward the future that God has set before us as we serve Kentucky’s most vulnerable.

With much appreciation,

Dale Suttles
President, Sunrise Children’s Services