SUNLIGHT OF COLLIER COUNTY INC

WE HAVE TWO RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS. EMBRACE IS A SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY HOUSING PROGRAM THAT OFFERS PARTICIPANTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAY THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THEIR PREGNANCY AND UP TO EIGHT (8) WEEKS AFTER GIVING BIRTH. EMPOWER IS A LONG-TERM HOUSING PROGRAM THAT OFFERS PARTICIPANTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAY UP TO THEIR CHILD'S SECOND BIRTHDAY OR TWO YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THE DELIVERY, IF THEY CONSIDER ADOPTION FOR THEIR BABY. OUR PROGRAMS FOCUS ON PARENTAL EDUCATION, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALING, SPIRITUAL GROWTH, CAREER AND ACADEMIC SUCCESS, GAINING SUCCESSFUL EMPLOYMENT AND SAVING MONEY. FOR 30 YEARS, SUNLIGHT HOME HAS PROVIDED RESIDENTIAL ASSISTANCE TO HOMELESS PREGNANT WOMEN AND TEENS. WE RECENTLY EXPANDED OUR EFFORTS TO INCLUDE A SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM AND SINGLE MOTHERS WHO ARE ALREADY PARENTING THEIR CHILDREN BUT STRUGGLING WITH HOUSING. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ASSIST MORE WOMEN, AS MANY WOMEN NEED RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT DURING THE TIME IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO AND BEFORE GIVING BIRTH, AS THEY ARE GENERALLY UNABLE TO WORK. ASSISTING THESE WOMEN DURING THAT TIME, EVEN IF SHORTER THAN WE WOULD LIKE, HAS ALLOWED US THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE THEM TO NEW POSSIBILITIES IN THEIR FUTURE, HELP WITH THEIR RESUMES, TEACH THEM WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE PARENT, ENSURE THEY RECEIVE PROPER MATERNAL AND POST-NATAL CARE FOR THEMSELVES AND BABIES AND GUIDE THEM TO CHANGE IN THEIR LIVES. ALL OUR RESIDENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN LIVE IN A SAFE LOVING HOME ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY ARE PROTECTED AND CARED FOR BY OUR 24-7 STAFF. WOMEN AND MINOR CHILDREN THAT GIVE BIRTH WHILE AT SUNLIGHT HOME HAVE ACCESS TO ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS AND CONTINUAL SUPPORT OF OUR STAFF AND WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AS TO LOCAL RESOURCES. WE OFFER ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE FROM WHEREVER THEY ARE IN THEIR LIVES WHEN THEY ENTER THE PROGRAM. WHETHER IT BE GED CLASSES AND TUTORING, APPLYING TO COLLEGE, PASSING THE DRIVER'S TEST OR HIGH SCHOOL, WE ARE THERE TO SUPPORT THEM AND GUIDE THEM EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. THERE ARE NO OTHER RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN IN COLLIER COUNTY. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TIRELESSLY TO BUILD AND STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO BUILD A STRONGER NETWORK AND MEET THE EVER GROWING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. WE FIND THAT THE BIGGEST NEED OF THIS DEMOGRAPHIC IS CONTINUAL SUPPORT IN A POSITIVE, UPLIFTING AND ENCOURAGING MANNER.