FOSTER CARE - Sarah*, a two-year-old, was removed from her home due to physical abuse and neglect resulting in malnutrition and untreated infections. Sarah's neighbor called the child abuse hotline when she noticed Sarah's parents were often gone for hours, the baby was frequently dirty and bruised and their home was full of filth. Sunbeam Family Services found a loving home to care for Sarah. Thanks to the volunteers who support Sunbeam, Sarah, like hundreds of others is now healthy and on the path to meeting her full potential.


Child Development Center - Four years ago my son Hayden was born. He was a wonderful baby from the start. Playful, sweet, and had a great disposition. Hayden went to work with me until he was 7 months old, then we put him in a childcare center. We started to notice his behavior shift about the time he turned one year of age. It started with what seemed like a normal progression of him getting mad easily and taking a while to calm down. But it just kept growing from there. When Hayden would start to have a tantrum there was no stopping him. We were getting calls at least once or twice a week from his childcare center to come pick Hayden up because he was having tantrums the staff could not control. We tried everything we could think of to help Hayden; time-outs, spankings, rewards, and we did our best to be consistent. Around the time of Hayden's second birthday we were trying the "let him cry it out" response and it was during one of these episodes that he threw a 19-inch TV across his bedroom from one wall to the other. It was then that I made a few phone calls and found a state program that tested Hayden and determined he was about a year and a half delayed in speech and mildly delayed in a few other areas. This program provided some services to us for about a year and we noticed a little progress, but Hayden continued to have difficulty at the childcare center and we were frequently called to pick him up because the staff couldn't handle him. I believe they had good intentions but were not staffed properly to be able to help Hayden where he needed it. My husband and I knew this was not the best place for Hayden's growth, so we decided that maybe Hayden had matured enough to try and find a better place for him while we were working.

I visited several childcare centers and at each one I explained the situation. Hayden had severe tantrums and we were trying to get help. I tried to be graphic with them and explained that he was going to need some individual care when his tantrums took place. I was assured that they'd seen it all and it would be no problem. The first new center we tried called me to pick Hayden up after five hours. We tried a second day and after three hours I was called to pick him up and asked not to bring him back. I spent the next two days on the phone and visiting more childcare centers. The second new center kept Hayden only four hours before throwing in the towel and when I went to pick him up I was told that my son had no manners, no discipline and that he kept all the other kids up during naptime. Hayden went to work with me for a week and I spent much of the time on the phone, crying and falling apart. How was I ever going to help provide for my family if no one was willing to help Hayden?

Then I found the Sunbeam Child Development Center. When I called I explained everything and was told to come in and they would see what they could do. When I arrived people were so friendly and welcomed us with open arms. It seemed like a miracle. Hayden started attending the Sunbeam Child Development Center a few days later and I nearly gave myself a heart attack every time the phone rang at work that first day. He had a rough day and there were many more to come, but the staff at Sunbeam handled him. For a while Hayden had a tantrum every morning when I dropped him off and sometimes they would last an hour or more, but Sunbeam didn't give up on us and now when I drop him off at the Center he goes running in with a smile.

I honestly thank God every night that Sunbeam came into our lives. The staff at Sunbeam made me feel like I was not alone and they truly supported our family. They would talk to me when I had questions or concerns. When I watch Hayden with his teachers I can see that he is cared for. They actually stop and try to hear what he is saying instead of brushing him off because they don't immediately understand his speech. They are consistent with him. They are there for him. They are there for us. In the year that Hayden has attended Sunbeam I have not been called one time to pick him up because of a tantrum. That peace of mind is something our family had been seeking for three years. The greatest thing Sunbeam has done is help give us our son back and for that we will be forever thankful.

Then I found the Sunbeam Child Development Center. When I called I explained everything and was told to come in and they would see what they could do. When I arrived people were so friendly and welcomed us with open arms. It seemed like a miracle. Hayden started attending the Sunbeam Child Development Center a few days later and I nearly gave myself a heart attack every time the phone rang at work that first day. He had a rough day and there were many more to come, but the staff at Sunbeam handled him. For a while Hayden had a tantrum every morning when I dropped him off and sometimes they would last an hour or more, but Sunbeam didn’t give up on us and now when I drop him off at the Center he goes running in with a smile.

I honestly thank God every night that Sunbeam came into our lives. The staff at Sunbeam made me feel like I was not alone and they truly supported our family. They would talk to me when I had questions or concerns. When I watch Hayden with his teachers I can see that he is cared for. They actually stop and try to hear what he is saying instead of brushing him off because they don’t immediately understand his speech. They are consistent with him. They are there for him. They are there for us. In the year that Hayden has attended Sunbeam I have not been called one time to pick him up because of a tantrum. That peace of mind is something our family had been seeking for three years. The greatest thing Sunbeam has done is help give us our son back and for that we will be forever thankful.

Early Head Start - Samuel and his mother Tracie were struggling to make ends meet. Without a high school diploma, many places wouldn't hire Tracie. She was also concerned about Samuel's development. Being a first-time mom, she wasn't sure if Samuel was reaching proper developmental stages. Then she discovered Sunbeam Family Services' Early Head Start program. Early Head Start helped Samuel develop basic skills in a supportive environment and worked with Tracie to earn her G.E.D. Now, Tracie has a full-time job and Samuel is a healthy boy who grows and learns every day.


Family Counseling - Lisa brought her 13-year-old, Robbie, to Sunbeam to help him improve his self-esteem. His grades had been dropping significantly, although he had above average capabilities. She was very concerned as he had become quiet and withdrawn. Robbie was always pleasant and cooperative, although somewhat shy during our work together. He did not feel there was anything wrong with him.

After the second session, it became clear that Lisa was over-involved in Robbie's life, overprotective, and highly invested in how he performed. At the same time, Robbie was very protective of his mother and appeared torn between reaching for more independence, yet not "leaving his mother behind."

Counseling focused on helping Robbie discover ways he could exercise some control in his life and still get along with his parents. Lisa became willing to examine the benefits of letting Robbie grow up and become independent.

After several sessions, Lisa conveyed that things were going quite well. They were spending more time just doing family things without the constant focus on Robbie's performance and Robbie's grades had improved. They even let Robbie go to the bowling alley with his friends and discovered they enjoyed being able to trust him and not have to "chaperone" him at the bowling alley. Robbie displayed more self-confidence and chose to join the school band.


Senior Companion Program - Mrs. A was referred to the Senior Companion Program for help since she could not stand, even with the aid of a walker, and she could not transfer into a wheelchair on her own. The client's doctor had strongly advised a nursing home. But, this advice had come only after doctors were unable to convince Mrs. A to keep leg therapy appointments and also to regulate her medicines. She was very independent and stubborn, leaving family and doctors no choice but to give up on trying to help her.

The Senior Companion accompanied Mrs. A to doctor's appointments. Together, they were able to construct a plan to help Mrs. A, as she had finally become desperate and had begun to recognize the consequences of her negligent behavior. They worked on medication maintenance, improving eating habits and exercising to improve mobility. The Senior Companion introduced Mrs. A to several resources in the community such as meals on wheels, and aided her in securing a golden age pass, which affords her transportation when needed. All doctor appointments were kept. During all of this, the Senior Companion gave Mrs. A encouragement ad support in order for her to help herself.

After three months, Mrs. A appears a completely different person, no longer frail and isolated, but assertive, alert, mobile and physically healthy.


*Names have been changed to protect confidentiality.

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