SUNSHINE SOCIAL SERVICES INC
This organization has already been registered
Someone in your organization has already registered and setup an account. would you like to join their team?Profile owner : j*****s@s******e.o*g
Mission Statement
Recognizing that the entire LGBTQ community has the right to quality care, our mission is to provide critical life assistance and professional mental health services with an emphasis on economically disadvantaged, marginalized youth, and senior adults in the greater South Florida metropolitan area.
About This Cause
For the past 20 years, SunServe has provided for the social service needs of the LGBTQ+ community of South Florida with a particular focus on mental health. Founded by a team of dedicated community volunteers who wanted to provide vital quality care to high-risk and vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community, SunServe’s motto is “We Help People”. All services are free of charge to our community and available to everyone regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race/ethnicity, religion, or ability. • In 2004, SunServe began hosting a support group for LGBTQ youth and since then, it has blossomed into our largest department and what is today known as our Youth Center. The Youth Center is run by a Lead Youth Therapist who is a Licensed Clinical and Social Worker and qualified Supervisor, 2 licensed therapists, 3 registered interns (1 social worker and 2 mental health counselors), and TIP (Transition to Independence) case managers. This is the only LGBTQ+ youth center in Broward County, and each year it serves over 200 clients, mostly between the ages of 14 and 29 and, in some cases, younger Its mission is to inspire LGBTQ+ youth to identify their strengths, overcome their challenges and recognize the unique gifts they have to offer the world. We’re requesting the support of the Born This Way Foundation to help provide critical mental health and well-being services to our local LGBTQ+ youth community. Dedicated programming to support LGBTQ+ youth and their families is essential given that they are some of the most vulnerable in our community. CDC data shows that 40.3% of LGBTQ+ youth reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for at least two weeks in the past year and 33% have considered suicide compared with 11.8% of their cisgender/heterosexual counterparts. This percentage is even higher for transgender and non-binary youth who continue to be amongst the most marginalized in our community with over 50% reporting that they have seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months. The need amongst this part of our community is evident in SunServe’s Youth Center demographics with almost 90% of youth receiving our services identifying as transgender or non-binary. Our goals include the following: -Make HIV testing readily accessible and commonplace for all Youth Center Clients - Facilitate open discussions around sexually transmitted diseases -Link clients to prevention or care -Ensure clients who have fallen out of care or prevention are re-linked -Provide regular educational programming focused on HIV Prevention and Care Recent CDC data shows that approximately 21% of new HIV diagnoses are amongst youth aged 13 – 24 and the risk is higher amongst those who identify as LGBTQ+ and Black and Brown youth. We recognize that we have a unique role and responsibility to play in providing our youth with accurate information and informed education about HIV, HIV prevention, and HIV care as well as dismantling stigma around HIV testing. The Youth Center runs a series of programs that include mental health counseling and support groups for Youth and their Families/Allies, life coaching, and comprehensive case management. Our life coaching and case management program promotes the development of life, academic, and employment skills to help LGBTQ+ youth transition successfully into healthy young adulthood. We know that positive outcomes and wellbeing for LGBTQ+ youth can also be attributed to support from family and loved ones which is why we developed a weekly support group called ‘Different Drummer’ that provides therapy for children aged 3-12 and their parents. Different Drummer is designed to help them navigate issues related to gender identity in a safe space through both one-on-one and group support. As part of our commitment to ensuring a holistic approach to clients’ care, we have also embarked on a pilot youth housing program designed to provide complete wrap-around services for youth who are most in need. This is a one-year program providing a safe space for 5 youth in a communal housing space overseen by professional case managers and therapists. Over a year, youth are provided with free housing, basic food, transportation, and the ability to secure employment. The program also helps youth manage and save money and offers comprehensive case management including mental health services. This is designed to provide them with the life skills needed to transition to independent living. Our team is dedicated to making sure that our Youth Center is an engaging, welcoming, fun, and affirming place to be. It’s a critical part of retention and important word-of-mouth referrals for services. To achieve this, the Youth Center has come up with events for youth and their families such as virtual movie nights, youth conferences, a book club, and a writing club. Over the past year, we have even begun a gardening club kc druj people engaged. Materials are delivered to participants in advance and they can share their experiences. Recognizing that the entire LGBTQ community has the right to quality care, our mission is to provide critical life assistance and professional mental health services with an emphasis on economically disadvantaged, marginalized youth, and senior adults in the greater South Florida metropolitan area.