Celebrating 30 Years of Sunshine

Keeping Children Connected, Supported, and Moving Forward

Sunshine Residential Homes has served Arizona’s children and youth in foster care for 30 years. Founded in 1996 during Governor Fife Symington’s administration, Sunshine has grown to nearly 40 community-based locations throughout Maricopa County, employs more than 300 dedicated staff members, and has provided care to more than 100,000 children and youth.

For three decades, Sunshine has remained a steady presence through changing administrations, evolving child-welfare systems, and growing community needs. State contracts have been consistently renewed under both Republican and Democratic governors, reflecting Sunshine’s long-standing role in providing dependable residential care for Arizona’s children.

Thirty Years of Trusted Service

Sunshine provides stability during some of the most difficult and uncertain times in a child’s life. Our work is centered on helping young people remain connected to their siblings, education, families, communities, and a future they can believe in.

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” — Mother Teresa

Sunshine’s continued growth and service are supported by experienced leadership, dedicated employees, and a shared commitment to creating safe, welcoming, and supportive homes. Across every program, our focus remains on dignity, consistency, meaningful relationships, and opportunities for children to move forward.

Education Support That Does Not Stop

Education is a priority across every Sunshine home. Children and youth receive daily mentoring, homework assistance, academic encouragement, and support from dedicated staff, house teams, and tutoring providers.

Learning continues throughout the year. During summer and extended school breaks, Sunshine recruits seasonal staff with educational backgrounds—including teachers and other school professionals—to provide additional academic support and keep young people engaged.

Progress is reinforced through quarterly recognition events, graduation celebrations, and other opportunities to acknowledge achievement, improvement, persistence, and effort.

Educational Outcomes

Sunshine has achieved a 100% graduation and promotion rate among eligible middle- and high-school students for five consecutive years. During the 2025–2026 school year alone, 81 Sunshine students graduated or promoted.

Former Sunshine youth have continued their education at Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, community colleges, and trade programs. Sunshine youth have also earned full-ride scholarships and pursued meaningful academic and career pathways.

Sunshine hosts job, career, college, and university fairs with community organizations and institutions, including ASU and GCU, to help young people explore the opportunities available to them after high school.

Real-World Experiences and Positive Role Models

Children deserve more than a safe place to live. They deserve opportunities to explore, celebrate, build confidence, and experience the everyday moments of childhood.

In 2025 alone, Sunshine youth participated in 2,160 scheduled activities and events. These experiences included educational outings, recreation, sports, camps, celebrations, community events, and opportunities to discover new interests.

Former Sunshine residents also return to share their experiences and demonstrate what is possible. These individuals include:

• • A former resident now working on Netflix and other television productions
  • A former Sunshine youth who became a world boxing champion and returned to speak about perseverance and Sunshine’s role in the journey

Sunshine also works with local cities, law-enforcement agencies, schools, and community organizations to host educational events, including substance-abuse prevention conferences designed to inform and empower young people.

Helping Youth Move Forward—With Family Whenever Possible

Sunshine works to preserve the relationships and connections that matter most. This includes supporting sibling bonds, school stability, family relationships, and meaningful connections with trusted adults.

When appropriate and included in a child’s plan, Sunshine supports transitions to reunification, kinship care, foster homes, and other family-like settings. When home-based options are not immediately available, young people receive age-appropriate preparation for adulthood and independent living.

Permanency and Transition Outcomes

In 2025:

• • 72.91% of youth transitioned to family-like placements, including reunification, kinship care, foster homes, and other home-based settings
  • 7.42% transitioned to independent living

Each transition represents a young person moving toward greater stability, connection, opportunity, and independence.

Supporting Young Parents

Sunshine’s residential programs also support pregnant and parenting teens as they balance education, adolescence, and the responsibilities of caring for a child.

Young parents receive encouragement and practical guidance as they establish family routines, continue their education, develop parenting and household skills, and prepare for greater independence. Our role is to strengthen the young parent while helping create a more stable future for both parent and child.

The Results: Measurable Outcomes and Lasting Impact

Sunshine’s impact can be seen in graduating students, siblings who remain connected, strengthened families, supported young parents, successful transitions, college and career opportunities, and former residents who return to inspire the next generation.

For 30 years, Sunshine has delivered stability when it matters most. As we celebrate this milestone, we honor the children, families, employees, community supporters, and child-welfare professionals who have shaped our history.

Our legacy is built on three decades of service—but our focus remains firmly on the future: helping children feel valued today and giving them the support, relationships, and opportunities they need to move forward with confidence and hope.