Anthony Is On the Road to Recovery

It's hard to expect a kid to act normal when his home life is anything but normal.

Anthony drew the attention of school officials when he got into a fight on the school bus. After talking to the boy, they quickly realized he was suffering from more than just a quick temper.

As they began to investigate and ask questions, they learned that Anthony was subject to beatings and sexual abuse. His behavior was a direct result of how he was being treated, or more accurately, mistreated at home.

After spending several days in the psychiatric unit of a hospital, Anthony was placed in Sunrise Children's Service's Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility in Danville. There, Anthony was able to receive intense counseling, support and a sense of security.

Far removed from the threat of abuse and neglect in his own life, Anthony began to understand more appropriate ways to interact with others and resolve differences. With this love and support, he is on the road to recovery as he is learning to overcome the abuse he suffered.

Anthony now knows how to cope with his feelings and is on a great path to a brighter future.

A New Home for Four

The four young children were starving and filthy when they were placed in a Sunrise vehicle on their way to a new foster home.

Victims of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, these children had many obstacles to overcome, including some serious medical issues. As all four began to feel safe in their new Sunrise foster home, they blossomed. Given an opportunity to be loved, all of the kids made rapid improvements.

Over the course of the last three years, the children have come to love their new family. Their biological parents have not made the changes necessary to provide a stable home, so the courts have decided that the children would be available for adoption. The foster family has begun the legal process to adopt all four children. The family brought together through crisis will soon become permanent. Today, they've shown the ability to perform well in school, have made new friends and adjusted well to a normal home free from the abuse and neglect that filled their lives years before.

Without the love and dedication of Sunrise foster parents, these children may have never had a chance for a brighter tomorrow.

Mandy Is Growing and Maturing

Mandy came to foster care as a teenager with little reason to trust others in her life. Taken from her parents because of neglect, she then endured more neglect and physical abuse after moving in with her aunt.

Such betrayal could have jaded her outlook on life and filled her with resentment and bitterness. However, since her placement with a Sunrise foster family, she has displayed a very positive attitude and an eagerness to succeed.

She excels in school, maintaining an A average and was once named Student of the Week. She is very popular with other students, easily making friends, and is a member of the track team.

She's very helpful in the foster home, helping with daily chores and her foster parents have nothing but praise for Mandy and her attitude.

Because of Sunrise, Mandy now looks forward to a world of possibilities and the chance for a better life.

Ricky Is Looking Forward to a Happy Future

Ricky was raised in a dysfunctional home. His father was incarcerated at the time of Ricky's birth, and his mother has been in and out of prison on drug-related offenses.

His grandmother was murdered when Ricky was two years old, so he spent much of his childhood in various foster homes because there were no relatives to give him a suitable home. When his mother was last arrested, Ricky was also involved, and charged with drug possession. Instead of being sent to juvenile detention, Ricky was sent to Sunrise's Youth Support Center in London.

Though drugs surrounded Ricky in his home, through counseling and support at the YSC, he began to focus on a new life. He actively participated in the YSC's programs and willingly shared his stories. Other young people began to look to him as a leader. With the YSC's help, Ricky maintained decent grades in school and joined the ROTC program.

Ricky plans to join the Marines after high school and would like one day to be a counselor. With the help of the dedicated staff at the YSC, Ricky has overcome his negative beginnings and looks forward to a productive, happy future.

Sarah's Life Has Been Transformed

The men in Sarah's life robbed her of a childhood, but thanks to Sunrise, she has a bright future.

Sarah was physically and sexually abused by her grandfather, who'd adopted her when she was younger. She ran away from home and became involved in drugs. She was raped. When her grandfather was convicted of his crimes, she was placed in the state's custody.

Sarah then went to live with her dad, but life was no better. She was subjected to pornography and endured even more harm before he lost custody. She tried living with other relatives, but that didn't work out either.

Today, her life has been transformed. She's living in a Sunrise foster home, has excelled in school, wants to attend college and pursue her dream of becoming a pediatrician.

Because of Sunrise and loving foster parents, Sarah's life can now be full of dreams and a bright future.

Susie Graduates as Valedictorian

When Susie was four years old, her mother sold her to her live-in boyfriend for drugs. Over the next several years, Susie's life was chaos. She had turned to drugs and prostitution before she even reached her teens. When she was 12, she came to Sunrise.

Academically, Susie was far behind her classmates, but in time, she began to catch up. She was at the Genesis Center for an extended time, but worked hard to make good grades and turn her life around. She turned 18 at Genesis, earned her high school diploma, and graduated as valedictorian of her class!

Susie knows that the caring people at Sunrise's Genesis Center always believed in her. Now thanks to them, she believes in herself and knows she can do anything.

Three Boys Are Finally Thriving

Too many children go to bed hungry in the world, but for three Kentucky brothers, going without food was a form of punishment from their parents, leaving them with serious medical issues.

The parents were not impoverished, but, as a means of discipline, chose to deny their children proper nourishment. When others inquired about why the boys appeared so thin, they simply told them they were sick.

When officials finally stepped in, the 12-year-old boy weighed only 47 pounds. His 10- and 7-year-old brothers weren't in any better shape. They were placed in a Sunrise foster home, where they thrive on a healthy diet of good food, love, and support. In fact, the foster parents are now in the process of adopting all three boys.

Without Sunrise and the dedication of great foster parents, these boys can now have a life and a forever home.

Timmy Sees a New World of Possibilities

Timmy was about to turn seven but had never experienced a real birthday party. Severely abused and neglected by his parents, Timmy's childhood wasn't filled with happy memories.

He arrived at Sunrise's Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility shortly before his birthday. His birthday wish was more practical than most young children - he asked a staff member if he thought he might get a new pair of pants.

Staff members made sure his birthday exceeded expectations. He got the pants - camouflage with big pockets. He also got a toy truck, teddy bear, and a computer game to help him catch up on his reading. He also was treated to a delicious chocolate cake.

Turning seven opened up a new world of possibilities for Timmy, thanks to Sunrise. He now knows what it's like to have adults show love, care, and support.

William Knows He Can Do Anything

William is the son of an alcoholic and grew up in a home where he saw his father - drunk and angry - pick up a shotgun and fire it inside the house. He also witnessed his father killing several animals.

When he arrived at Crossroads, William looked for every way possible to excuse the actions of his father, hoping he'd be allowed to go back home. Given the danger his father posed to the family, that wasn't an option.

Over time and through counseling, William began to open up and see things from a different perspective. He realized that growing up in an unstable, violent environment was dangerous and gave him very little self worth.

His time at Crossroads has changed his opinion. He now realizes he doesn't have to be permanently scarred by the violence of his childhood.

Because the loving care William received at Sunrise's Crossroads program, he know he can be and do anything!