My experience collaborating with Spring Meadows has been nothing but positive. I often say that it is the best children’s home we work with, and the boys tend to have the best behavior of any home as well. I have appreciated Suzanne’s initiative, always sending us referrals, scheduling meetings, and seeking out mentors as soon as humanly possible. From what I can tell, the therapists have likewise been top-notch. I can tell that they love the boys individually and want what’s best for them, and I think that’s a major part of why their program is so successful. I’m so grateful to be a small part of SMC and believe they’re making a real difference in the lives of these boys.

I am very excited about the Life Coaching program at Spring Meadows! This one-on-one mentoring with a resident adds another important layer to our church’s involvement and my personal involvement with these valuable young men. And what a blessing it is to me to invest emotionally, relationally, and spiritually in a young man’s life to help him for the rest of his life. My only hope is that even more community partners will jump on board with Life Coaching. We just can’t quantify what a difference we will make.

Every time I visit Spring Meadows, I leave in a better mood than when I arrived. Everyone at the facility cares for all the children there. It is obvious that every effort is made to ensure residents know that they are valuable, loved, and have worthwhile futures. All staff members treat residents with respect and a smile.

One example of this effort was a graduation in the Fall of 2023. Only one resident was graduating, but the Spring Meadows staff went all-out. The gym was absolutely packed, all graduation norms and traditions were followed. Speakers included Bullitt County Public Schools administrators and mentors from a local church. There was even a full reception afterwards! I will never forget the look of belonging and accomplishment on the graduate’s face.

Spring Meadows leadership, staff, and Bullitt County Public Schools teachers are working every day to make true and tangible improvements to our most vulnerable children’s lives. Every day they make a difference, and I could not be more proud of the small role I am able to play in that.

I have worked at SMC for almost 3 years.  When I came to Spring Meadows Center, we had just moved to Louisville and left our youngest daughter at UK.  I was an empty nester who had poured most of my last 15 years into taking care of my girls and working with my husband in full time ministry.  I was in need of something that would give me purpose.  A way to give back and serve others.  My degree is in human services and I worked in that field for many years before staying home with my girls.  I had decided I did not want to go back into the field because I tend to get very invested and take the work home with me.  I didn’t think I was ready for that again.  As I began looking at jobs, Sunrise popped up over and over again.  I decided the Lord was telling me…its time!  So, I applied.  When I came in for my interview, I immediately felt at home.  I knew the Lord had placed me hers for a purpose. The staff were warm and welcoming and the clients were just what I needed.  I did not take the job for the money, but for the ministry.  I told myself I was going to give everything I had to minister to these boys.  The boys have not always been receptive, but for the most part they are hungry to be loved and respected.  To know that someone is invested in them, even when they mess up.  SMC is a great facility.  The staff have their faults, but I believe are some of the best around.  They really care about these boys.  This is a hard job, but very rewarding.  From top to bottom, everyone gives their best to see that we help these young men become successful.  I wish I could say we are always 100% successful, but I can say we give it our best shot!  Of all the facilities like ours, I believe we are one of the best.  We have an exceptional team working together to change lives!!

Hi, my name is Colton M.  I’m 14 years old and I am a client of Sunrise Children’s Services, Spring Meadows Center.  At Spring Meadows Center, I am the PYA (Peer Youth Advocate).  In the facility I have learned a lot of things in treatment and outside of treatment.  In treatment, I’ve learned about sex offenses, laws, thinking errors, consent rules, barriers, boundaries, maintenance, grooming and gateway behaviors.  I have also learned a bunch of other things. A few things I have learned outside of treatment are how to be respectful to peers and grownups, how to ‘read the room’, and how to make appropriate relationships with the people in my life.  In the milieu, I have recognized my peers trying to help each other out with mistakes that they make. In my opinion, this program is perfect for anyone with SAO behaviors.

Spring Meadows is more than a facility, it is a home, a community, and a support system.  Youth in the program not only work through treatment, they also learn social skills, teamwork, manners, independent living skills, and compassion.  Youth are supported, encouraged, and pushed to be their best self and prosper in the future.  Spring Meadows looks at the whole person, not at one defining event.  Youth are empowered in ways they never have been before and are able to make lifelong changes in their behaviors.

Lizzi Seyle, Intern at SMC

I am grateful to have a small part in caring for children that need extra love and support in their lives due to trauma, abuse, and/or neglect.  Jesus said that whatever we do for the ‘least of these’, we’ve done for Him.  When I first started working at Spring Meadows, I was heartbroken over the number of boys that had no family involved in their lives.  I learned about a local Christian organization, Orphan Care Alliance, that helps connect teens in state care with caring volunteers to mentor them once a week.  I shared this information with my supervisor, who then shared it with his supervisor, and we were granted permission by Sunrise to reach out to cooperate with OCA so our boys could potentially get mentors, or Life Coaches, as they’re called.  Now over a dozen of our boys have been able to have the life-enriching experience of having a Life Coach, someone that comes to visit them, call them, or take them on outings weekly, not for pay, but just because they care.  These caring adults are helping to transform the lives of our young men and we are so grateful!