What If Your Journey Took You Somewhere You Never Expected?

Imagine planning a trip to one destination, only to land somewhere completely different, with an unfamiliar language, unfamiliar laws, unfamiliar customs, and no map telling you how to find your way home.

That is what it felt like when, Samantha, lovingly known as Sami, was born with cerebral palsy.

Planned for one journey...Instead, landed in a completely different place, trying to learn a new language, understand new laws and systems, navigate an unfamiliar culture, and discover how to help Sami live the very best life possible.

While learning how to care for Sami, at the same time a mourning was happening for the "unbroken" child that never arrived. 

The greatest challenge became learning to look at this life storm differently, embracing that all things happen for the good and we were exactly where God planned for us to be ...growing into HIS perfect plan also known as the Sunshine Mission. 

Fast forward 31 years through many medical challenges, tests, specialists, therapies, exclusions, sleepless nights, missed milestones, difficult decisions, and major life changes. There were plenty of moments when the next steps were not clear.  As a medical professional, I learned very quickly to ask questions, research and advocate. I refused to leave any sunshine stone unturned if it might lead us toward a better life for Sami.

One of those discoveries was the importance of getting on the waiting list early for a state waiver.

We were fortunate...Many of Sami's classmates were not.

When they graduated from the school system at age 22, some left school without a waiver, without an adult day program to attend, and without a clear path forward. They went home forced to be on a 2-4 year waiting list. 

That didn't sit right with our hearts...these young adults were not suddenly less valuable because they turned 22.

They hadn't stopped learning.

They hadn't stopped growing.

They hadn't stopped needing friendship, purpose, opportunity, or community.

They simply aged out of a system that had supported them.

And we began asking another question:

What happens when the school bus stops coming?

That question dug deep into our hearts.

Eventually, we wrote about our journey in our published book, Stripped, Stretched & Strengthened.

The proceeds from that book helped give birth to something much bigger than we ever imagined.

They helped us start the Sami Sunshine Foundation.

Our mission became simple:

Bridge the gap. Create opportunity. Bring sunshine.

Through the Foundation, we began helping bridge the gap between school services and adult life through scholarships and support for individuals and families navigating that transition.

But God wasn't finished with the story.

And Then Came Sunshine

After COVID, the need for adult day services became even more evident.

We could feel something stirring in our hearts.

We prayed.

We listened.

And we graciously accepted what we believe was God's call to take the next step.

That step became the Sami Sunshine Center.

Today, adults with disabilities come through our doors to learn, create, socialize, explore, contribute, and experience something every person deserves:

A place to belong and SHINE. 

And now, we've reached another turning point.

We are full.

We have a waiting list.

There are more individuals and families looking for a place where their loved ones can experience the sunshine.

And that means our story is not finished.

It means we need to grow.

Gather Around the Sunshine

We aren't simply asking you to support a building.

We are asking you to help us build possibility.

A bigger space means more adults can have a place to belong.

More opportunities to learn.

More opportunities to create.

More opportunities to discover their abilities.

More friendships.

More laughter.

More purpose.

More families who can breathe a little easier knowing their loved one has somewhere safe, meaningful, and joyful to go.

We need people willing to gather around the sunshine.

Maybe your gift is financial.

Maybe you have a business that can partner with us.

Maybe you have a skill you can share.

Maybe you can volunteer.

Maybe you can help us find the space we need.

Maybe you can simply tell someone about Sami Sunshine.

Every ray matters.

One ray of sunshine may seem small.

But when enough rays come together, they can brighten an entire room.

And that is what we believe a community can do.

The Next Chapter Belongs to All of Us

Sami's life changed the destination for our family.

But somewhere along the way, we realized that perhaps we weren't lost at all.

Perhaps we had simply been given a different destination.

A destination where we would discover that some of life's greatest blessings can come wrapped in unexpected journeys.

Sami taught us to look beyond limitations.

She taught us to celebrate the milestones others might overlook.

She taught us that communication isn't always spoken.

She taught us that purpose doesn't require perfection.

And she taught us that sometimes the people we think we are helping are actually the people who are teaching us how to live.

Now we want to share that sunshine.

We want to help build a community where every person, regardless of ability, is seen, valued, included, and given the opportunity to shine.

Will you gather around the sunshine with us?

Give.
Volunteer.
Partner.
Share our story.
Open a door.
Offer a skill.
Make an introduction.
Or simply believe in what is possible.

Because we don't have to change the entire world to make a difference.

We can change the world for one person.

And then another.

And another.

Until the sunshine reaches farther than we ever imagined.

Come gather around the sunshine.

Together, let's help create the shine. ☀️