News & Updates
Fostering Hope 5K Unites Community to Support Mississippi’s Foster Youth
A Community United for Mississippi’s Foster Youth On a bright, sun-filled morning in Ridgeland, Mississippi, our community came together for a powerful cause — the inaugural Fostering Hope 5K Run/Walk. Over 100 participants of all ages and abilities laced up their...
Sunnybrook Announces Leadership Transition
Dear Friends of Sunnybrook, We’re writing to share some important news regarding a leadership transition at Sunnybrook. After more than six years of dedicated and effective service as Executive Director, Dr. Myrle Grate has accepted a new opportunity and will be...
Why Foster Youth Age Out, Not Up
Turning 18 Should Be Exciting—But for Foster Youth, It Often Means Facing the World Alone For most teenagers, turning 18 is a milestone to celebrate. It marks the transition from childhood to adulthood, filled with new opportunities—college, trade school, entering the...
Planting a ‘Garden of Hope’: How One Eagle Scout Candidate is Helping Residents See Their Worth
The space outside of the Education Center getting prepped for Linda’s Scout Troop to create a Garden of Hope for the residents of Sunnybrook.
How one Sunnybrook Alum Stayed Close to the Organization
Earlene Carson was 7 years old when she first came to Sunnybrook in the late 1960s. She, along with her twin sister and eight other siblings, were sent to Sunnybrook by the state of Mississippi while their parents worked on improving their home life. The...
Mississippi Pilot Program Offers Driver’s Education for Foster-Care Students
Sunnybrook Children’s Home offers a driver’s education course for its residents. Through a grant from the Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services, Sunnybrook is now expanding the program.
A Christmas Wish List for Transitional-Age Youth: What They Really Need
December often brings on a time of reflection and gratitude. It brings days like Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving that helps kick off the giving season, time with family and friends, shorter days and colder nights, gift-giving, and Christmas. As you gather with...
Giving the Gift of Education and Career Dreams this Christmas
Did you know 3% of foster youth earn a college degree by the age of 26, compared to 30% of their peers who are not in foster care? (Source: Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago) That is a large gap considering there are about 369,000 children in foster care...
Landmark Driver’s Education Grant Puts Sunnybrook in the Driver’s Seat for Foster Youth Statewide
Nationally, current estimates suggest that only 3% of youth in the foster system receive their Driver’s Licenses while in care. Some advocates say that very few, or none, of the young adults they speak to have gotten licenses since exiting care. It’s a sobering...
Sunnybrook Expands Driver’s Ed Program for Foster Youth Statewide
Sunnybrook Children's Home is proud to announce the award of two significant contracts by the Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services (MDCPS) aimed at empowering foster youth across the state. These contracts are set to launch groundbreaking initiatives...
Sunnybrook Breaks Ground on ‘Renasant Bank Cottage’, the Sixth Residential Property on the Campus in Ridgeland
Earlier today, Sunnybrook Children’s Home celebrated the groundbreaking of 'Renasant Bank Cottage, the sixth residential campus property serving adolescent youth ages 14-21. The ceremony, hosted in partnership with the City of Ridgeland and Ridgeland Chamber of...
Youth at Sunnybrook Prepare for a Bright Future, Embracing Independence
With July 4th celebrations behind us, the campus of Sunnybrook is buzzing with excitement. The teens are eagerly anticipating the return to school in the fall. This time of year brings a renewed sense of hope, healing, and the promise of independence for the foster...
Using Creative Arts as Therapy for PTSD in Foster Care
June, recognized as National PTSD Awareness Month, serves as a poignant reminder of the pervasive impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on many lives, including children in or exiting the foster care system. These children often endure traumatic...
PTSD in Aging Out Foster Youth: Challenges and Resources
June is National PTSD Awareness Month, a time to shed light on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and its far-reaching effects. One group that often faces significant challenges with PTSD is youth aging out of the foster care system. These young adults, who...
Secure A Part of Our Future As A Sunnybrook Legacy Circle Member
Did you know? 60% of Americans have no will in place, and issues such as who will care for minor children and what will happen to the assets you’ve acquired over the years, are left unresolved. (Stat according to Focus on The Family, 2023) For more than 60 years,...
Faith & Finance Bridges the Gap with Basic Financial Literacy for Sunnybrook Adolescents
In recent years, there has been a growing chorus of voices advocating for the inclusion of personal finance education in high school curriculums. As the landscape of financial decision-making becomes increasingly complex, there is a heightened awareness of the need to...
Preparing Foster Youth for Independent Living
As foster youth transition from the care system into adulthood, they face a myriad of challenges and uncertainties. Among the key factors that contribute to their successful integration into independent living is the role of dedicated houseparents. These individuals...
The Vital Role of Houseparents in Supporting Foster Youth
Foster youth experience a unique set of challenges as they navigate the transitions inherent in the foster care system. Amidst the uncertainties and upheavals, houseparents serve as beacons of stability and support, guiding these young individuals through the...