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.