This non-profit organization is small but makes a huge impact to children in foster care in group homes. These children experience loss, instability and trauma before they are placed in group homes. AZ Sunshine Angels wants to ensure they know that their others in the community to want to help during this uncertain time. AZ Sunshine Angels wants to help the group homes provide the essentials and provide with birthday and holidays celebrations.
Arizona Sunshine Angels is an incredible organization dedicated to supporting foster children in group homes. This non-profit wants to ensure that children have the basic needs such as clothing, hygiene but also ensure that celebrate birthdays and holidays. What a great group of volunteers.
AZ Sunshine Angels does amazing work by providing essential items like clothing, shoes, and hygiene products to foster children in group homes. Their support ensures that over 700 kids each year have what they need to feel comfortable, cared for, and valued. This organization truly changes lives by meeting these critical needs with love and compassion.
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Arizona Sunshine Angels work year around to ensure that the group home agencies that they work with that the children are provided with items that will boost their self-esteem. The children don't have to worry about having a back pack, school supplies, hygiene products, clothes or shoes because the Arizona Sunshine Angels are to the rescue. During the holidays they work hard to ensure every child has a bright Christmas by working with community volunteers and other organizations to donate items/money. Arizona Sunshine Angels having amazing volunteers that are a ray of sunshine to very child in foster care.
The AZ Sunshine Angels is an incredible organization dedicated to making a lasting difference in the lives of children in foster care in Maricopa County. Their unwavering support for children in group homes each year reflects their deep commitment to providing love, stability, and hope. From essential resources to enrichment activities, they create opportunities for these children to thrive. The Sunshine Angels' passion and dedication are truly inspiring, making them a beacon of light for youth.
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Sunshine Angels has helped so many of our foster youth when they needed emergency clothing, holiday meals and ethnic hair products that are so expensive. They have also showed many youth who graduated that it was a great accomplishment with their graduation award! Birthdays and Christmas are SO much more special for our youth as well. We cannot thank them enough for all of their work and smiles they bring to our youth. Cynthia- Divine Sisters
I'm part of a group that makes greeting cards for the Arizona Sunshine Angels. The angels see that each child receives a birthday card, birthday cake and a meal of their choice. The birthday cards are handcrafted and assembled by a group of 4 women who have a passion for serving others. The birthday card has the childs name on it and the artwork is determined by one of more of the childs likes/interests. In addition we provide a Welcome card and handcrafted Christmas card. With ten children in a home we make sure all 10 cards are different and the art is appropriate for any age or genger. We learned a seventeen year old boy had never celebrated his birthday so the personalized card, birthday cake and meal were a big deal to him and he stated, "I'll always keep this card."
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I have worked with Arizona Sunshine Angels for the past 7 years making personalized birthday cards for the kids. There are four people on this team and we provide a welcome card, personalized birthday card, and Christmas card for each child. Arizona Sunshine Angels gives HOPE to the children in their system. They go above and beyond to give these children a safe home environment along with any counseling they may need. I consider it a privilege to be part of this great organization.
I wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for the unwavering support that Sunshine Angels has provided to foster children under our care throughout the years.
Your dedication has truly transformed lives. Thanks to your continuous generosity and care, many of our foster children have experienced the stability, encouragement, and opportunities they might not have otherwise had. As we reflect on the years of partnership, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the difference we've been able to make together. On behalf of our foster children and our team. Thank you for being a beacon of hope and change.
Juanita Hernandez
Administration
Sacred Journey Inc
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Sacred Journey Inc has been working alongside with Arizona Sunshine Angels for the past 4 years. The tremendous impact and support we have received from Arizona Sunshine Angels is a blessing for all these years. Thank you for all you do!
Arizona Sunshine Angels has been such a gift as a volunteer. I feel so blessed for the opportunity to be a part of the lives of these amazing kids.
I have been a volunteer with this nonprofit since 1999. The Arizona Sunshine Angels are all about making life more enjoyable and easier for foster children.
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I have been associated with the Arizona Sunshine Angels since 1992. Acting as a volunteer and later a board member and president.
This agency is all about "the Kids". I can vouch for their integrity and dedication to their cause.
Sandra Hurst
Sunshine Angels and Amanda has been an invaluable partner to us at SRH, consistently demonstrating their commitment to supporting the well-being of our children. They sponsor several of our events throughout the year, including pool activities in the summer, birthday celebrations, and our “All for Success” events, where they generously provide food and resources. These contributions directly benefit over 300 children in our care, creating memories and providing opportunities that are vital to their growth and happiness. Sunshine Angels' dedication to uplifting our community is unmatched, and their continued support helps us fulfill our mission of nurturing and empowering the children we serve.
We are deeply grateful for their efforts and honored to collaborate with such a caring and impactful organization.
It is rare to find a partner that consistently goes above and beyond in their commitment to uplifting the community. Arizona Sunshine Angels is one such treasure that Sunshine Residential Homes cherishes immensely. Our collaboration has resulted in countless heartwarming moments and milestones that have made significant differences in the lives of the children under our care.
One cannot mention Arizona Sunshine Angels without raving about their birthday cakes. There's something truly magical about the joy those cakes bring to our children's faces. Celebrating their milestones and making them feel special, the cakes from Arizona Sunshine Angels are not just delicious – they're baked with love, hope, and the promise of brighter days.
Further enriching our bond is their unwavering support for our 'All for Success' event. This occasion celebrates the academic successes of our children, and with the Angels by our side, the event becomes even more significant. Their sponsorship and involvement amplify the message that every child deserves recognition and encouragement for their hard work and achievements.
In essence, Arizona Sunshine Angels is more than just a nonprofit; they're a beacon of hope, love, and unwavering support. We at Sunshine Residential Homes wholeheartedly endorse and commend them for their commitment to creating a better tomorrow for every child. If you believe in making a difference, I urge you to support them and help them continue their invaluable work.
The Arizona Sunshine Angels are truly angels to the foster children of Arizona. These wonderful volunteers go above and beyond to ensure every child feels special while placed in foster care. From providing clothing closets & food banks, to hosting birthday parties, to finding fun outings for the children, the Arizona Sunshine Angels do it all. Thank you for your continued support, love, and dedication to the foster children of Arizona!
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The Arizona Sunshine Angels do wonderful things for the foster children of Arizona! I have had the pleasure of working with this organization for 4 years now and have observed first hand the vast amount of love, support, and dedication they give to these children. The organization not only gathers donations for the children in foster care, they provide entertainment opportunities, tutoring, birthday celebrations, back to school clothing/shoes, special outings, holiday parties and so much more. Thank you AZ Sunshine Angels for your continued dedication to the foster children of Arizona!
Too much to write! If you want to make a positive difference in a child or teen - this is the organization that does just that! From special birthdays, Christmas celebrations, graduation events, fun excursions, camps, tutoring and more, love is poured into them through the Sunshine Angels and those that support this organization.
They are always willing to go Above and Beyond for our residents, making sure their Birthdays, Back to School, and Holidays are special :)
Arizona Sunshine Angels have assisted my at-risk youth for many years. From birthdays to clothing, shoes, Christmas gifts, and so much more, this agency deserves premium spot in heaven! The communication is easy, support is platinum level! They are true ANGELS!
This nonprofit gives me the opportunity to bring joy to a youth in foster care by celebrating their birthday with them. I bring them a meal and a gift on their special day and I can always see how happy it makes them to know that people care about them on there birthday.
The Sunshine Angels are amazing! They go out of their way to make sure children in the system feel loved and cherished! From donating their time/clothing/toys, to making sure children's birthdays are celebrated, everything they do enriches the lives of these children. So blessed to have these Angels helping the children I work with.
Arizona Sunshine Angels are a wonderful nonprofit!Through their many activities they help the children in the Sunshine Homes feel loved and cared for. When the children first arrive they are given a welcome box made by the Sunshine Angels. The Sunshine Angels also have 2 large rooms (the Closet) filled with gently used and new clothes and shoes for the children. The Sunshine Angels provide money so that each child can have a meal and a cake for their birthday. The Angels serve at special events like All for Success. They provide a meal and gifts and cheers for the children to encourage them in their school work. And on Christmas break the Angels give the children a trip to places like Main Event, Jump Street, etc. I’ve been a volunteer (Angel Mentor ) for about 5 years and have participated in many of these projects. What a blessing! Thank you Sunshine Angels!
Sunshine Angels does a great job with helping kids feel welcome, comfortable and safe. The funding provided for birthday celebrations is always such a big hit and the excitement from the kids is contagious. They love having friends who can 'spoil' them with a special meal and cake on their birthday. These kids deserve to feel celebrated and Sunshine helps to provide that.
Sunshine angels are a blessing to our children. The kiddos look forward to celebrating various events with their assigned Angels.
I have been a Sunshine Angel for the last 6 years. I visit 4 of Sunshines 30 group homes to
celebrate birthdays with the kiddos. There are 10 foster kids in each house. That's 40 kiddo's right? Wrong. The kid's do come and go. Some age out of the system. Some are returned to
their birth parents and some are legally adopted by loving couples. Sunshine Residential Angels do so much to support these children with special celebrations for "good" grades in
school. Christmas and birthdays are a huge part of what we do to make the kids feel loved and special. There are special graduation parties complete with scholarships awarded to exemplary students. Motivational speakers often are invited to inspire the kids to not let their past define their future. I am honored to be a part of such a needed and worthwhile organization. Lorrie Holland
The Arizona Sunshine Angels are truly a blessing to our organization! The Sunshine Angels have helped thousands of our children over the years with a multitude of things such as: celebrating individual birthdays with a special party and birthday cake, celebrating all calendar holidays, providing new shoes for every child when they return back to school, donating hygiene products for every child who is newly placed with us, and so much more. Every one of the Sunshine Angels have a big heart and are so willing to help wherever and whenever they can. We would be lost without them!!!
I have been a volunteer for four years now and love every minute of it. Sunshine Angels provide a valuable service to children in foster care. The kiddos are always ready to greet us with a smile. The community outreach is wonderful. It is a blessing to be part of a community that cares about foster children.
I have had the pleasure of working with Arizona Sunshine Angels over the past three years as a volunteer and a tutor to young children in the foster care system. This organization provides so much for the children! I help with celebrating their birthdays, holidays, and work with them on learning activities. They enjoy being read to, sharing a snack, and having a conversation with a caring adult. Amanda Copeland does a wonderful job
as my contact person. This is an organization where I feel I get back more than I give.
Sunshine Angels is a great nonprofit that serves the kids of Sunshine Residence Homes, group homes for kids. I have been so happy to be one of the volunteers for many years. I was introduced through my company, Miracorp. Cynthia Miracle Reed, owner of Miracorp, has been a donor for many years and encouraged her staff to become involved with the nonprofit. I attended many fundraisers, graduation parties, picnics and various other events. Upon my retirement, I was able to commit to being a Sunshine Angel to a group home of 10 boys. I really enjoy being a part of changing lives to kids that need a little "sunshine" in their life. None of this would be possible without all the donors that participate in giving to this great cause.
For 20 plus years, this non-profit has supported foster children living in group homes in the Phoenix Metro area. Great volunteers and leadership.
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These Grandmas are truly Angels for children in foster care!
Mary was moved into a group home just before her 13th birthday. Think for a moment of the stress this youngster experienced – being separated from the only family she knows, perhaps having herself been abused, as well as having witnessed drug use by her parents. At 13, her life memories are mostly negative, her self esteem is low, and she is feeling unloved, suddenly living in a strange new place.
Mary and the other 1,755 children who were in group homes at 12/31/20 desperately need someone to care about them, to create beautiful happy memories that every child deserves. That is the objective of Arizona Sunshine Angels (“the Angels”).
Children in group homes throughout Arizona know Sandra Hurst and Cassa Olmstead, not by their names, but as “Grandma!” Sandra and Cassa are the leaders of the Angels, a non-profit organization that brings special moments to children in foster care whose life has brought them to a group home until a more permanent living solution can be found for them. These boys and girls have experienced abuse and neglect at the hands of adults they knew as family, but still their biggest dream is to have someone love them. That’s what the Angels do for more than 500 children every year – provide unconditional love and support to help them through difficult days, to put a smile on a child’s face who doesn’t smile often enough.
Formed in 1999 when one volunteer, Flor Smithger, enlisted her friends to help children in group homes. Shortly thereafter, Sandra and Cassa joined the ranks, and ever since they have devoted their time, love and passion to bring a ray of sunshine to youngsters in foster care. They have served as volunteers, using their residence as an office and closets in group homes as storage for items donated by the community to help these children, putting all donations to maximum use to help the children.
These Angels devote themselves to making special, positive memories for children who have had too many tough times. When a child is placed in a group home, the Angels provide a welcome box with personal care items and snacks. Positive memories are created with a birthday celebration that includes gifts and a cake, along with graduation celebrations and holiday presents. Items that most children take for granted, including haircuts, backpacks and clothing are provided by the Angels as well.
Sandra and Cassa have spent most of their “retirement” years dedicating their energies to these boys and girls. Hugs, smiles and gratitude are the gifts they receive in return for their service to the kids. They talk proudly of the child they took into their home to care for and comfort during his trauma-filled days, and of the boys and girls who call after leaving foster care just to say hi, or to request that the Grandmas sing them the Birthday Song. Their hearts are filled with joy, knowing that special moments have been created for children in foster care, and hoping that they will be remembered first, before all of the horrors that too many kids have experienced and witnessed.
Arizona Sunshine Angels maintains a year-round presence in the lives of children in foster care, providing supports needed to achieve success in school and in life. They show these boys and girls that they are loved, and that they can survive and thrive. Exactly what every grandparent seeks to do for their grandchildren. Grandmas Sandra and Cassa are truly angels, indeed they are lifesavers for the 500+ boys and girls whose lives they impact every year!
Learn more about Arizona Sunshine Angels and their wish list of needs at www.sunshineangelsaz.org. As a Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organization (QFCO#10014), Arizona taxpayers can receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for contributions.
Dan Shufelt, the former CEO of Arizona Helping Hands, has been involved in the charity world as an executive and grant maker for many years. If you enjoy learning of caring people and the amazing work they devote their energy to advance, sign up to receive Dan’s blog posts at www.givingback-movingforward.com. Contact Dan at dan.shufelt11@gmail.com.
The boys in our group home often don't have families to cheer them on for school, gift them items for their birthdays or holidays and even assist with supplying them clothes or other needed items. Sunshine Angels always comes through! Our boys are extremely grateful for all the efforts this organization does for them ❤️
The Sunshine angels are one of the biggest blessings to the Foster Children in Arizona. They are devotees to their cause, have been consistent with their mission for a couple of decades and have blessed the foster children with care, love and charity.
They're truly doing God's work, those children have volunteers to look forward to that'll care for them during events and birthdays. This non-profit organization has a mission they walk with a passion for the Foster Children in Arizona
Our group home has been blessed with the loving support from AZ Sunshine Angels for about 5 years now. The Angels are such a great group of people with the heart to bring the Sunshine to our kiddos in their biggest time of need, through their amazing donations. Thank you so much, for the positive energy and support over the years when we were stretched thin. Our agency, as well as our kiddos, will ALWAYS be grateful to have you in the community. Shout out to Sandra H & all the volunteers supporting the Sunshine Angels.
Arizona Sunshine Angels have been an amazing support to foster children living in group homes. They have partnered with numerous agencies to reach as many foster children as possible. I work for one of those agencies. We have worked with Arizona Sunshine Angels for several years and I am always blown away by their incredible generosity. Each year they help make sure that each one of our kiddos goes to school with a brand new pair of shoes and clothing that they get to pick out. I'm not sure that many people understand the boost in confidence new shoes and new clothing can give a child! It can make such a world of difference on the first day of school. They have provided gift cards and gifts at Christmas time to help our children experience the wonder of waking up on Christmas morning to see that Santa came. During the summer and breaks, they help supplement our food budget with snacks and on holidays will often pay for pizza and ice cream or a special meal. I have had numerous people in the community reach out to me on their recommendation to help meet a need - new socks and underwear, pizza gift cards for a special treat, hygiene products, school supplies. Anything our children need, Arizona Sunshine Angels has often helped us get. A child made the school softball team and needs new cleats? No problem! New kiddo came to us with nothing and needs a new wardrobe? Sure! This organization truly loves children and will do whatever they can to help children in foster care thrive and feel important and cared for.
It's hard to put into words all that my organization has benefited from the generosity of ASA! Since day one, they have gone above and beyond to help my program which houses 22 young men from the ages of 9-20. One day it's a back to school donation, then a paid for activity, followed by a pizza party, no matter the occasion they have it covered. And they genuinely care about every individual, and are there for them YEAR AROUND, not just holidays or special occasions! We have worked with many organizations, but they are HANDS DOWN, the BEST OF THE BEST! It is truly a blessing that they have adopted our program, and we look forward to this association for many years to come! And it's our honor, to get them some of the recognition that truly deserve! Thanks again ASA for all you have done and continue to do!
The sunshine angels are such a detrimental part of children's lives. Not only do they help with birthdays and Christmases but they also help on getting tutors and supporting these children and making them feel special. The sunshine angels are godsend and an amazing non-profit organization we are so blessed to have them.
Dear Sunshine Angels,
First let me start off by saying you all are a gift from God. The love and donations you give to our kiddos in foster care is untouchable. You not only give but you give with true Love in your heart. You all go above expectation. There is not enough stars that could rate you. The kids are so thankful and so am I. Please continue doing the work that you do because it shows. I just couldn't pass up this moment to write a review. Angels sent down from Heaven with pure love is all I see through you.
The Sunshine Angel Organization has gone above and beyond, to make a difference in the lives of the young men, that we work with! We can't thank them enough, and the impact they are making will last a lifetime!
I have been a part of the Sunshine Angels for over 10 years and cannot express enough how wonderful this organization is. All donations go directly to benefit the children (100%). There is no greater joy than to feel like you make a difference in their lives. To see the smile on their faces warms my heart. So many of these children have had to deal with circumstances that no child should ever have to face. Sunshine Angels not only helps to provide the basic essentials for these children but does it with love and care. If you want to make a difference in their lives, please help to support this organization.
I have been a sunshine angel for 3 years now and am very impressed with how much this organization does for the foster children in Sunshine Residential homes. Everything from providing Christmas presents and a party to academic achievement celebrations. Also they send the kids to camp every summer and provide new shoes for school as well as school supplies. They also have a clothing shop that clothes all the chidren. I am sure they do much more that I am not even aware of.
So proud to call myself a Sunshine Angel!
Sunshine Angels is an amazing group. Children come to us from CPS ages 0-17 with a bag packed containing little to no clothing. Most of the time their clothing is in bad shape and not fit to wear or they come to us with just the clothes on their back. Sunshine Angels has brought joy to many children with their kind and generous donations of clothing, hygiene products, toys, stuffed animals, books, cd's, dvd's, Easter baskets and the list goes on and on. Every visit is like Christmas and you cannot imagine the smiles from ear to ear. What a blessing this organization has been to our agency and children.
The Sunshine Angels are a 501(c) 3 charitable organization that exists to support and enrich the lives of foster children in the care of Sunshine Residential and Group Homes, in Maricopa County, AZ. Currently there are 250 children from ages 6-18 residing in the 24 facilities of Sunshine Homes.
Our vision is to show unconditional love to these children to instill within them the confidence and self-esteem needed to overcome many obstacles on their journey from foster care to independent living. The Sunshine Angels have been volunteering for the children of Sunshine Residential and Group Homes since 1999, officially becoming a charitable organization in March 2006. We serve the foster children of Sunshine through outreach and positive interaction to promote their health and healing.
Our mission is to bring about greater success in these children’s ability to achieve positive life skills and become wholesome citizens, through our outreach which includes providing birthday, graduation and holiday recognition, assistance with clothing, computers and school supplies, summer camp and other wholesome recreational opportunities, and helping the foster children transition to independent living upon reaching age 18, when they are discharged from the foster care system.
Our goals include maintaining our current giving, adding a college scholarship, and increasing logistical and financial support to foster youth at age 18, when they must move out of group home care and into independent living.
Review from Guidestar