activities · 23
what they do
direct service · 23
- Academic Support and Educational Resources Learning Center with Tutoring & Computer AccessOperates a Learning Center/Educational Resource Center (ERC) providing academic support through volunteer tutors, reading specialists, speech specialists, and homework helpers. Offers after-school academic help and access to a computer lab, art and crafts room, and a library.
- Academic Support and Educational Resources Learning Center with Tutoring & Computer AccessOperates a Learning Center/Educational Resource Center (ERC) providing academic support through volunteer tutors, reading specialists, speech specialists, and homework helpers. Offers after-school academic help until 8 p.m. and provides access to a computer lab, art and crafts room, and a library.
- Academic Support and Resources Learning Center with Tutoring & Computer AccessOperates an Educational Resource Center (ERC) and Learning Center that provides academic support through volunteer tutors, reading specialists, speech specialists, and homework helpers. It also offers access to a computer lab, art and crafts room, and a library after school and on many nights until 8 p.m.
- Chapel Drama and Media Activities Children's Faith-Based Educational ProgrammingChildren participate in the Chapel's Praise & Worship Team, singing at Sunday worship services, and learn to act out skits and illustrated sermons for Chapel services, utilizing lighting, PowerPoint, puppets, sound, and special effects.
- Chapel Praise & Worship TeamChildren participate in the Chapel's Praise & Worship Team, singing at Sunday worship services throughout the year.
- Children's Choirs Youth Choral Education & Performance ProgramsOperates two choirs, a "Jellybean" choir for elementary ages and a Teen choir for ages 12 and up, which rehearse from August to March and perform weekly at local churches and community centers. Additionally, an American Sign Language (ASL) choir, "Sign of Hope," performs Christian songs in churches.
- Children's Counseling Services Trauma-Informed Counseling for Youth & FamiliesProvides individual and group counseling services, utilizing evidence-based approaches, to address the social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs of children in care.
- Fitness and Wilderness Experiential Program (FIT)Runs "FIT," a Christ-centered fitness and wilderness experiential program that includes weekly physical training, devotions for children, staff, and peers, and several backpacking trips each semester.
- Fitness and Wilderness Experiential Program (FIT)Runs "FIT," a Christ-centered fitness and wilderness experiential program that includes weekly physical training, devotions for children, staff, and peers, and offers several backpacking trips each semester.
- Flag Program Children's Faith-Based Educational ProgrammingOffers the "Hearts of Praise" flag program for children to learn coordination, teamwork, and perform flag routines that express Christian praise.
- Horseback Riding ProgramOperates an on-site, hands-on horseback riding lesson program for children and staff to learn and improve horsemanship skills.
- Horsemanship ProgramOperates an on-site, hands-on horseback riding lesson program for children and staff to learn and improve horsemanship skills.
- Horsemanship Program Youth Equine Education & Camp ProgramsProvides an on-site, hands-on horseback riding lesson program for children and staff to learn and improve horsemanship skills.
- Karate Program Youth & Family Outdoor Adventure ProgramsOperates a karate program for children and staff, which has been ongoing for 36 years.
- Livestock Show Team Program Youth Livestock Auctions & ExhibitionsOperates a nine-month Livestock Show Team program where children learn to raise and care for lambs, goats, steers, and heifers, preparing them for presentation and sale at events like the Maricopa County Fair and Arizona State Fair.
- Livestock Show Team Program Youth Livestock Auctions & ExhibitionsOperates a nine-month Livestock Show Team program where children learn to raise and care for lambs, goats, steers, and heifers, preparing them for presentation and sale at events like the Maricopa County Fair and the Arizona State Fair.
- Music and Choir Programs Youth Choral Education & Performance ProgramsOffers music lessons for various instruments and voice, and operates two children's choirs (Jellybean for elementary, Teen for ages 12+) that rehearse and perform weekly at local churches and community centers. Also runs an American Sign Language (ASL) choir, "Sign of Hope," performing Christian songs.
- Music and Performing Arts EducationOffers music lessons for instruments including piano, ukulele, drums, violin, guitar, and voice. Children also participate in drama and media activities, learning to perform skits and illustrated sermons for Chapel services, utilizing lighting, PowerPoint, puppets, sound, and special effects.
- Nutritional Meal Preparation School-Based Meal ProgramsOperates a semi-scratch kitchen to prepare wholesome meals for children and staff.
- Transitional Living Program Transitional Housing and Support for Higher EducationOffers a Transitional Living Program that allows participants to remain in the program through the completion of a Bachelor's degree. It supports participants in four different tracks: University, Community College, Vocational Training, or military entrance, providing on-campus housing with live-in Transitional Living Coaches or support for university dorm rooms, along with financial training, adult development, FAFSA, tax preparation, and general life skills support.
- Transitional Living Program Transitional Housing and Support for Higher EducationOffers a Transitional Living Program that allows participants to remain through the completion of a Bachelor's degree, supporting them in university, community college, vocational training, or military entrance. Provides on-campus housing with live-in coaches or support for university dorms, along with financial training, adult development, FAFSA, tax preparation, and general life skills support.
- Transitional Living Program Transitional Housing and Support for Higher EducationOffers a Transitional Living Program that provides on-campus housing or support for university dorm rooms, allowing participants to stay through the completion of a Bachelor's degree. The program supports participants in university, community college, vocational training, or military entrance tracks, and provides ongoing support in financial training, adult development, FAFSA and tax preparation, and general life skills.
- Youth Livestock Program Youth Livestock Auctions & ExhibitionsOperates a nine-month Livestock Show Team program where children learn to raise and care for lambs, goats, steers, and heifers, preparing them for presentation and sale at events like the Youth Livestock Auction at the Maricopa County Fair and the Arizona State Fair.
strategies · 14
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Experiential Learning for Character and Life Skills experiential learningThe organization employs various experiential programs, including equine activities, martial arts, livestock teams, and backpacking, to instill key life skills such as responsibility, accountability, teamwork, communication, compassion, confidence, dedication, focus, and perseverance, while also promoting independence and a strong work ethic.
- Experiential Learning for Character and Life Skills experiential learningThe organization employs various experiential programs, including equine activities, martial arts, livestock show teams, and fine arts, to instill key life skills such as responsibility, accountability, teamwork, communication, confidence, discipline, and perseverance, while also fostering creativity and community engagement.
- Experiential Learning for Character and Life Skills Development experiential_learningThe organization employs various experiential programs, including equine activities, martial arts, livestock show teams, and fine arts, to instill key life skills such as responsibility, accountability, teamwork, communication, confidence, dedication, focus, and perseverance, while also fostering character traits like respect, compassion, and a strong work ethic.
- Extended Support for Youth Transition extended_youth_supportThe organization provides continued guidance and support to children beyond their 18th birthday through a Transitional Living Program, enabling them to pursue higher education or vocational training and ensuring they are not turned away due to age or financial constraints.
- Extended Support for Youth Transition extended youth supportThe organization provides continued guidance and support to children beyond their 18th birthday through a Transitional Living Program, enabling them to pursue higher education or vocational training and ensuring they are not turned away for financial reasons.
- Extended and Unconditional Support extended youth supportThe organization provides continuous guidance and support to children beyond their 18th birthday through a Transitional Living Program, ensuring they can pursue higher education or vocational training without being turned away for financial reasons, reflecting a faith-based belief in provision.
- Faith-Based Arts and Ministry for Youth Development faith-based youth developmentThe organization uses fine arts programs, including music education and an American Sign Language choir, as a ministry to develop talent, foster teamwork, commitment, and leadership, provide therapeutic benefits, and teach children the value of community service and sharing Christian messages.
- Faith-Based Financial Provision and Accessibility faith_based_provisionThe organization operates on a faith-based principle that God will provide necessary finances, ensuring that no child is turned away from their services due to financial reasons.
- Holistic, Christ-Centered Child Development holistic child developmentThe organization provides comprehensive support encompassing emotional, social, physical, educational, and spiritual aspects to help children develop their full potential, manage their affairs, and function meaningfully within the community. This approach is rooted in a Christian mission environment, fostering spiritual development and character building through various programs and values.
- Holistic, Christ-Centered Child Development holistic child developmentThe organization provides comprehensive support encompassing emotional, social, physical, educational, and spiritual aspects to help children develop their full potential, manage their affairs, and function meaningfully within their community, all within a Christian home environment that fosters long-term relationships with stable parental figures.
- Holistic, Christ-Centered Child Development holistic_child_developmentThe organization provides comprehensive support encompassing emotional, social, physical, educational, and spiritual aspects to help children develop their full potential, manage their affairs, and function meaningfully within their community. This is achieved within a Christian home environment that fosters long-term relationships with stable parental figures and integrates faith-based education and character development into various programs.
- Trauma-Informed Counseling and Support trauma-informed careThe organization utilizes evidence-based, trauma-informed counseling approaches to address the social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs of children, supporting healthy adjustment, improving social functioning, reducing emotional distress, and promoting positive decision-making.
- Trauma-Informed Therapeutic Care trauma-informed careThe organization utilizes evidence-based, trauma-informed counseling approaches to address the social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs of children, supporting healthy adjustment, reducing emotional distress, and promoting positive decision-making.
- Trauma-Informed Therapeutic Care trauma_informed_careThe organization utilizes evidence-based, trauma-informed counseling approaches to address the social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs of children, supporting healthy adjustment, improving social functioning, reducing emotional distress, and promoting positive decision-making.
named programs · 11
what they call their work
ASL Program (American Sign Language Choir “Signs of Hope”)
Teaches children sign language to communicate Christian messages through songs, fostering community service and sharing the Gospel in churches.
Counseling Department
Provides individual and group counseling services using evidence-based approaches to support children's social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs, facilitating healthy adjustment and positive choices.
FIT Program (Forgiven Instructed and Tested)
A Christ-centered fitness and wilderness experiential program for boys and girls, involving weekly physical training, devotions, and backpacking trips to build courage and a deeper relationship with God.
Fine Arts - Choir & Drama
Develops talent, relationships, commitment, leadership, and teamwork through two choirs (Jellybean for elementary, Teen for ages 12+) and drama activities, including skits, illustrated sermons, and technical aspects like lighting and sound.
Flag Program (Sunshine Acres Hearts of Praise)
Provides a way for children to learn flag performance, promoting hand-eye coordination, discipline, physical strengthening, and praising God.
Horse Program
An on-site, hands-on horseback riding lesson program for children and staff to learn horsemanship skills, safe horse handling, riding, and care, while developing life skills like compassion, confidence, teamwork, and communication.
Karate Program
Teaches traditional Okinawan Seidokan Karate, including kicking, punching, joint locking, and physical conditioning, while instilling patience, perseverance, courtesy, and honor.
Livestock Show Team
A nine-month commitment where children learn to raise lambs, goats, steers, and heifers for the Youth Livestock Auction at the Maricopa County Fair, fostering responsibility, accountability, and a strong work ethic.
Music Lessons
Offers lessons in various instruments (piano, ukulele, drums, violin, guitar) and voice lessons, supported by the Jolee-Jaffa Music Foundation, to develop dedication, focus, and creativity.
The Learning Center (Educational Resource Center - ERC)
Provides academic support through volunteer tutors, reading specialists, speech specialists, and homework helpers, with access to a computer lab, art room, and library.
Transitional Living
Supports participants beyond age 18 through Bachelor's degrees, community college, vocational training, or military entrance, offering financial training, adult development, FAFSA/tax preparation, and life skills, with on-campus housing and coaches.
relationships · 5
who they work with
- John LaMarca Partner — Sensei who started and has been teaching the karate program for 36 years.
- Jolee-Jaffa Music Foundation Funder — Provides funding for the music lessons program.
- Jolee-Jaffa Music Foundation Funder — Provides generous funding for music lessons.
- Mesa Optimist Club Partner — Helped with the down payment on 125 acres of Arizona desert in 1953.
- Volunteer Coordinator Partner — Contact for volunteering in the horse program