Sunlight Of Collier County Inc

Programs: Sunlight home is a long-term homeless shelter for "at risk" pregnant mothers and their children, and pregnant minor children who are abandoned victims of poverty, abuse and neglect. This faction of our community is underserved. Other homeless shelters cannot provide long-term housing due to pregnancy and underage minor status and refer them to us. For 22 years sunlight home has been the only long-term shelter in collier county providing this lifesaving critical service for vulnerable families and children in need. During that time we have been able to save over 1,300 mothers and their children. Because it is a "long-term" shelter, the residents stay for extended periods of time. On the average, we care for 70-75 women, teens and children in the course of a 12-month period. The mothers and their children live in a safe loving home environment where they are protected and cared for. Women and minor children that give birth while at sunlight home can live at the home with their children until they are able to leave. Our "rays of hope" program consists of housing, food and clothing, education, health and dental care, mental health counseling, spiritual development, nutrition and hygiene, parenting classes, job training and life coping skills and outreach services. We offer adoption as a loving alternative to parenting. The children attend school, receive tutoring and participate in recreational activities. Our teen residents also study online courses in continuing education for their ged and college level prep courses, and sat exam preparation. We assist the mothers in developing a plan for their children, obtaining jobs and locating transitional housing so they are able to provide for their family. We help the underage teen mothers to either reconcile with their family, or if that is not possible, locate another family for them, or provide access to legal representation if it is needed. We do not receive any state or federal funding. All funds for our operations are provided entirely by private donors and private grants. Our major goal is to protect the most vulnerable "at risk" children in crisis, and empower the mothers to break the cycle of poverty and abuse they have been living in. The desired outcome is a new path of prosperity and wellbeing, with the ability to assimilate back into society. Many children have never lived in a secure, safe loving home, and have been abused and neglected. Many pregnant teens are runaways, have been involved with substance abuse and may have juvenile criminal records and mental health problems. 90% of our residents complete the program.