The Sunshine Alternative Education and Prevention Center (https://www.sunshinepreventionctr.org/), founded in 1992. It is a true grass-roots organization that formed from the personal experiences of its 2 co-founders, Dr. Carol Carter and Ms. Tamara Pelosi. Their collective desire was to help their own children. Today that dream has turned into a reality that now reaches hundreds of children and families with hope for a brighter future. The stated mission is to provide a safe, nurturing environment for all children and families that is designed to build self-esteem & positive social skills, empower youth to make healthy choices and decisions, prevent or reduce substance abuse and violence, and strengthen the connections between families, schools and communities. Sunshine Prevention Center provides a variety of prevention-focused programs and services to the youth and families in Suffolk County. The prevention-focused programs are multi-faceted, engaging the children and families in relationship activities, skill-building activities, and enrichment activities. Our programs include: Social Skills and Leadership Programs, Teen and Adult Anger Management, Teen Support Groups, Summer Prevention Programs for ages 4 - teens, Parenting Support, and Substance Abuse Prevention for Mandated or Court-ordered Adults and Outreach Services for schools and agencies. Sunshine also provides an Alternative Education Program for high school youth who are in danger of or placed on long term suspension due to behaviors relating to substance use or violence. This program incorporated academic instruction and prevention-focused support that aims at building on positive skills. Participants are referred by home school district. Staff Sunshine Prevention Center is located in Port Jefferson Station in a building donated by the Town of Brookhaven. Sunshine provides substance abuse and violence prevention programs and services that include: social skill programs, youth and teen leadership programs, an alternative education program for high risk teens, outreach services, a unique summer camp and a variety of other services to meet the needs of children and families on Long Island. Today Sunshine is a respected leader in the field of substance abuse and violence prevention reaching hundreds of children, teens and adults annually. The Sunshine Prevention Center “Blessing Box” The blessing box is now open and available to anyone in need. The box is located at 468 Boyle Road Port Jefferson Station and is right by the side walk. You can drive by, stop and take any items that you need. The box will be stocked daily and is easily accessible. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kelsunn-on-the-air/support