Two boys from the Sunny Days program pose for the camera.

Every summer, this SOS program provides eight weeks of enrichment activities for homeless children in Washtenaw County.

Sunny Days provides homeless children, ages 6-10, with a structured, safe, and supportive environment in which to address the trauma of homelessness, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Children learn new behavior and coping skills that will help them participate more fully in school and home settings.

Daily activities include snack time, quiet time, lunch, outdoor recreation, and journal writing/drawing. The weekly routine includes arts and craft projects, psycho-social groups, swimming lessons/outdoor games, cultural field trips, and educational lessons. In each of these activities, children learn about positive communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, anger management, team work, and substance abuse prevention.

The Sunny Days experience is an important opportunity for homeless children to learn, grow, heal, and play. Having a low child-teacher ratio allows the children to receive individualized attention and one-on-one therapeutic interventions. The program also reduces family stress during the summer months through allowing parents a chance to work toward long-term employment, locate and move to permanent housing, or attend chemical dependency treatment programs.

Sunny Days also provides scholarships for children who are homeless to attend specialized day camps, such as dance or math camps, for homeless families who would otherwise not be able to afford to send their children to specialized camps.

Special thanks to the supporters of Sunny Days 2006. Your generosity is truly appreciated. Please contact SOS at 734-485-8370 or email info@soscs.org to find out how you can help out!