Hi, I'm Mikey

Mikey came to Sunrise and then went directly to the hospital.

His parents forced him to hold his bowel movements which gave him a horrible internal infection. The abuse he experienced within his home was horrific. Sunrise worked directly with the medical treatment team as he slowly healed. Mikey did heal physically and was then discharged back into the care of the Sunrise Psychiatric Treatment Facility in Danville, KY.

For the first time, Mikey experienced a safe place where he felt that someone loved him. He talked with Sunrise counselors to work through his past trauma. One year later, Mikey was placed with Sunrise foster parents who eventually adopted him into their family.

Hi, I'm Taya

Taya bounced around from foster home to foster home. She had been in 12 foster homes before coming to Sunrise. Taya would run away whenever a bond seemed to be forming with a foster family. She refused to trust anyone. Of course, why would she. She had experienced physical abuse not only by her relatives, but also within one of her foster homes. Sunrise staff knew that building a relationship with Taya was not going to be an easy task. However, Sunrise staff refused to give up. Taya would test boundaries, act out physically, cut herself, and attempt to harm others. There were times that Sunrise staff felt as if they had no answers, but they continued to love Taya throughout her outbursts. Taya loved to read. She was extremely introverted at times and would escape into books to avoid her pain. Sunrise staff used her love for reading to connect with Taya. Often they would bring in books, read the books on there own time, just to connect with Taya and discuss the story line. This worked! Taya began to open up and started sharing things with staff that she had never told anyone else. Taya started working through her experiences and started to understand that what had happened to her did not have to define who she was. Taya worked hard for almost two years with staff. She continues to receive outpatient services. Taya is a role model to others. She wants to grow up and be a librarian.

Hi, I'm Jessie

Jessie aged out of the system and decided to take advantage of the Sunrise VentureON Independent Living program.  Sunrise workers spent numerous hours teaching him how to shop for groceries, take care of an apartment, and fill out applications. Jessie ended up getting a job at a local grocery store. Sunrise workers drove Jessie to and from work until he saved up enough money to purchase his own car. Through our VentureOn program Jessie would meet with volunteers who would mentor him and instill the belief that he could be somebody. Jessie enrolled in the local community college and is currently attempting to get his Associates Degree in Law Enforcement. With the help of others, Jessie made the Dean’s List his second semester.

Hi, I'm LaCoria

LaCoria’s mother struggled from a drug addiction and her father was serving a 15-year sentence in prison. She ended up living with her grandma (NiNi). However, she became a ward of the state when her  grandma turned ill and was no longer able to care for her. The Rawlings, a Sunrise foster family, were able to bring LaCoria into their home. LaCoria was seven years old at the time of her placement and had experienced a lot of trauma for a girl her age. Sunrise worked with LaCoria and her new foster family. Lacoria was not used to a routine or having a meal three times a day. It was not uncommon for LaCoria to hoard food or to sneak food leftovers from the garbage and hide it under her bed. LaCoria was also two school grades behind her peers. Sunrise offered immense support to the Rawlings during this time. As Cora began to build trust, an attachment formed. The Rawlings were happy to adopt LaCoria into their family. LaCoria now has a forever family. She is now nine years old and has caught up on her grade level and is actually reading one grade above her peers. LaCoria still sees and talks to her Sunrise case managers.

Hi, I'm Shaun

Shaun came to Sunrise with a black garbage bag holding a few of his belongings. He was removed from his home due to exhibiting behavioral issues. Through counseling and trust building, Shaun revealed to counselors that he had been abused as a child and his acts of defiance were due to not knowing how to process these things.  Sunrise taught him needed coping skills.  Christmas was an especially hard time for Shaun, but a generous donor gave him a long board. Shaun practiced day and night and quickly became very good at skating around the gymnasium and outside court yard. Shaun used his longboard as a means to cope. Shaun still has a long ways to go, but Sunrise is very proud of the young man that he is, and we are confident that he will continue to work hard to become the man that he knows that he can be.

Hi, I'm Nicole

Nicole’s mom gave up her parental rights because she felt that Nicole deserved better. Her mother was struggling with a drug addiction and refused treatment. Nicole asked to live with her grandmother, but her grandmother was also an active drug user. Nicole first tried opioids at nine years old when her mother told her that they would make her feel good. She came to Sunrise because there was literally no one in her life that could properly take care of her.  Nicole was a precious young lady who craved attention. She blossomed with routine and the feeling that someone would pay attention to her. Nicole told a Sunrise staff member that for the first time in her life she felt that she was special. Nicole was placed into a foster family and was adopted by the same family. Nicole and her parents continue to visit Sunrise and do volunteer work with the youth in our care.