Thanks for helping us to celebrate
National AmeriCorps Week
March 7 - 13, 2021

A weeklong event designed by the Corporation for National and Community Service to bring more Americans into service, salute current and past AmeriCorps members for the powerful impact of their service and thank community partners from the grassroots to the national level for all that they've done in making AmeriCorps successful.

See article in Star Courier Newspaper
Link below
https://www.starcourier.com/story/news/2021/03/11/americorps-week-ends-plea-volunteers/4647574001/

Thanks to all who attended or participated in our
Annual Community Black History Extravaganza
It was a success
We will be giving you another chance to view this event on YouTube link below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9rnre6ZeRc



Thanks to the AmeriCorps Volunteers, the Kewanee Public Library and community members who assisted with the MLK Birthday Celebration today.
Also, thanks to the students & parents who attended.

"Never Stop Dreaming"

Join us in the MLK Birthday Celebration on January 18th
Invitation details below

Etta LaFlora is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: MLK Birthday Celebration 2021
Time: Jan 18, 2021 10:30 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87880746837?pwd=a0hyZUZzZEZwSUZhQkpHb2YxT0wwdz09

Meeting ID: 878 8074 6837
Passcode: 890508

Step Ladder Summer Tutoring Program was held online.
Fall Session is complete
Spring Session started on January 5th
Monday - Thursday 3:00 - 4:15 p.m.
7th & 8th grade students
Central & Wethersfield Jr. High Schools

Summer Session is complete

Participating students received free school supplies----thanks to our supporters & donors for enabling us to continue to help our youth.

ESL & Citizenship Classes were held during the summer online
Classes will resume on August 17th at the Black Hawk College CEC

The AmeriCorps members did an awesome job helping students improve in their English skills and prepare for the Citizenship tests.
Thanks to Literacy Volunters of Illinois for the continued support.  

"All of our programs reaching out to those who needs us the most"

New Program starting July 8, 2020

Step Ladder Summer Tutoring held online
starting July 1, 2020

Participants get free school supplies at end of session.

 Summer English as a Second Language (ESL)
& Citizenship Classes held on line

 Our New Learning Environment for
Step Ladder Tutoring Program

Due to the effects of the Coronavirus on our society, the Sunshine Community Services Center, like many agencies today, had to change the way we do business.

April 7, 2020
We started online tutoring for students enrolled in
the Step Ladder Tutoring Program.

Please call our office at 309-853-7751 for
information on connecting to our online tutoring services.

Thanks to our funders and the community for your continued support.

We are all in this together!!

        Step Ladder Tutoring Spring Session
                        ( pictures before the changes)

Community Black History Extravaganza on

Sunday, February 9, 2020
was a success
Thanks for the continued support!!

A combined choir from Kewanee & Wethersfield Schools sang  two selections, local youth choir sang, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, State Rep. Dan Swanson, Mayor Gary Moore, and the local Pastor Lawrence Anderson spoke, and local AmeriCorps members served at this uplifting event.



See Facebook for more information and pictures:

https://www.facebook.com/Sunshine-Community-Services-Center-123197034458512/

Also, see article in Star Courier Newspaper

Thanks to everyone for making our Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday Celebration a success again this year. We appreciate the Kewanee Public Library for being our host site and helping with the coordination and planning of this event, our local AmeriCorps members for serving. You did an awesome job yesterday.

A special thanks to all who brought their children, grandchildren, etc. to help us honor Dr. King on this day. 

See facebook for more information

https://www.facebook.com/Sunshine-Community-Services-Center-123197034458512/

  AmeriCorps "After the Holiday Luncheon"

We completed our fall session
Spring session started on January 6, 2020

 AmeriCorps members assisting at
Veteran's Day Program
American Legion Post #31
November 11, 2019

                          "Honoring all Veteran's on this special day."

 AmeriCorps member, staff and children honoring Veterans today by making thank you cards at the Kewanee YMCA.



AmeriCorps Project
In partnership with Literacy Volunteers of Illinois
(members are serving at the YMCA, Salvation Army,
Abilities Plus, Kewanee Public Library & Sunshine Community Services )
"Getting Things Done"

Springfield Trip - National Day of Recognition &
Swearing-In Ceremony



Orientation for Existing & New Members
Gabe Perez (LVI)

 ESL Class at the Black Hawk College CEC
Learning & Honoring Independence Day

AmeriCorps End of Year Celebration
Black Hawk CEC

Annual AmeriCorps LVI Event - Baseball Game


Step Ladder Fall Tutoring is in session

Thanks for Supporting our
Tag Days Fundraiser on Aug. 30th & 31st
at Walmart & Save-a-lot Stores
We appreciate the continued support

Step Ladder Summer Tutoring at the Library
is complete
Fall Session starts August 19, 2019

Step Ladder Summer Tutoring at the Library

Thanks to a Dollar General Grant we will have our
Step Ladder Summer Tutoring at the Library
    July 2 - July 31, 2019

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursdays
1:00 - 2:15 p.m.

Focus on math and reading

Free books and school supplies for
participating 7th & 8th grade students 
                

We've completed another great year. Thanks to the schools, our funders, agencies, volunteers, parents and students for working hard this year.

Thanks to the community, surrounding areas, and volunteers for supporting our

Easter Weekend Tag Days Fundraiser

on Friday and Saturday  April 19th & 20th

Students and Volunteers were stationed at

Walmart & Save-a-lot Stores

We appreciate the continued support!!

Helping students prepare for an upcoming geography test,

using both paper and having fun.

AmeriCorps Week
March 10-16, 2019

Each year, the nation celebrates the service that thousands of Americans perform through AmeriCorps. It is a time to salute the AmeriCorps members and alums for their hard work and thank the community partners that support them.

Since 1994, 41,000 AmeriCorps Members have served Illinois communities. They have served 59 million hours which is worth $1.4 billion in impact to Illinois. While serving, they have earned $140 million to help pay for college. Members have pledged to "Get Things Done" since the program's inception in 1994.

Our Annual Community Black History Extravaganza was a success

We appreciate those who participated in or attended our annual Community Black History Extravaganza on Sunday, February 17, 2019 at the First Congregational Church. We enjoyed the youth who read their papers or reports on famous African-Americans, the Kewanee and Wethersfield High School Choirs for singing such inspirational songs, our local, state and federal dignitaries, clergy or administrators for their remarks or words of encouragement. 
Special tanks to the committee, and tech support-Bill Jordan. 
Watch program video designed by Demonica Flagg (on youtube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9nta1Co77U

Look at more pictures on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Sunshine-Community-Services-Center-123197034458512/

Plan to Attend the Upcoming......

Community Black History Extravaganza

Sunday, February 17, 2019    Time: 2:00 p.m

First Congregational Church

224 W. Prospect St.  Kewanee, IL



Come and Enjoy this Celebration With Us!!!! 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Program
January 21, 2019
Kewanee Public Library

Thanks to the Kewanee Public Library-Director Barbara Love, for being host site and assisting with the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Program today. Youth and adults throughout the city came together to help us celebrate. We give special thanks to the local AmeriCorps members who served at this event. Members host sites are the YMCA, Salvation Army,
Abilities Plus and Sunshine Community Services Center.

(See Facebook for More Pictures)

"After the Holiday Luncheon" for AmeriCorps members

January 3, 2019 at Black Hawk College CEC

Expectations for the New Year

Step Ladder Tutoring Program Completed our Fall Session
We appreciate the students for working hard and the community, volunteers and staff for supporting our efforts.
We are looking forward to another great year!!!

Winter / Spring Session started on January 7, 2019

ESL (English as a Second Language) are held at the Black Hawk College CEC. Sunshine Community Services and its AmeriCorps members assist with the program. Below are pictures from a recent holiday event - caroling at the local nursing homes and senior living facilities.Classes start on January 9, 2019

 AmeriCorps Members honorng Veterans and Service Members

AmeriCorps members not only serve in their local school, agencies or programs, but also participate in National Days of Service. Members assisted in programs to honor Veterans at the American Legion Post #31, Kewanee YMCA, Salvation Army at the National Guard, and one member assisted in preparing a video for an event at a local school. Sunshine Community Services is the host agency that supports members through our partnership with Literacy Volunteers of Illinois. (Pictures below)

                                            

AmeriCorps Members from four local Host , , site agencies and agencies
and organizations over the entire state of Illinois attended the
National Day of Recognition & Swearing-In Ceremony in
Springfield, IL on October 17, 2018
(Local agencies represented are the Kewanee YMCA, Salvation Army,
Abilities Plus and the Sunshine Community Services Center)
Members serve in agencies for 3-months to 1-year terms

Busy During our Fall Session - Step Ladder Tutoring

Thanks to our graduating Class of 1978 for making a donation to the Sunshine Community Services Center, at our class reunion on Saturday. Thanks to Anita Blanks, a long time agency tutor and supporter, for nominating us, and our classmates for helping us to continue our work in the community and "Helping one child at a time." 



Thanks for supporting our Labor Day Weekend
Tag Days Fundraiser

August 31st and September 1st
at
Wal-Mart and Save-a-Lot Stores

Fall Step Ladder Tutoring Program
is now in Session

Using various strategies to prepare students for homework & tests

Step Ladder Tutoring at the Library
2018 Summer Program was completed on July 31st

at

Kewanee Public Library

(Thanks to a Dollar General Grant written in collaboration with the KPL, students received free school supplies and books)

Help your child prepare for the upcoming school year. We will focus on math and reading.

Thanks to a Dollar General Grant, students will get free books and schools supplies
(7th and 8th grade students - those entering 9th grade can participate for the summer session)

Sunshine Community Services Center
Pilot AmeriCorps Project
(SCSC oversees local project to provide national service members to local agencies-members earn a living allowance and an education award)

Photo from recent end-of-year celebration. Directors and some of the members from Kewanee YMCA, SCSC, and Salvation Army

AmeriCorps members serving
at the Kewanee Salvation Army

AmeriCorps members serving
at the Kewanee Public Library

AmeriCorps members serving
at the Kewanee Historical Society



AmeriCorps members served
at the Kewanee Schools Summer School Program

ESL-CIVICS Summer Tutoring
(an AmeriCorps Summer of Service Project)
 at the
  Black Hawk College CEC

404 E. 3^rd Street       Kewanee, IL 61443
 6-Week Session    (No fee for class)
 June 11 – July 18, 2018
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mon., Tues. & Wed.

ESL Spring Session Ended on May 17th

AmeriCorps Members serving in our Community

Our partnership with Literacy Volunteers of Illiinois has enabled our agency plus others in the community to have access to National Service members
(AmeriCorps members serving at Sunshine Community Services Center, YMCA, Salvation Army, Kewanee Public Library and the Historical Society)

Our recent trip to Chicago for a quarterly meeting

Thanks to all of our staff, volunteers, supporters and families for helping us to complete another year.

2018 Appreciation Ceremony

was held at the Black Hawk College CEC on

May 23, 2018



(See more pictures under Appreciation Ceremony at right)

 Spring session for the Step Ladder Tutoring Program
was completed on May 17th. We are making preparations for the Summer Tutoring at the Kewanee Public Library during the month of July.

National Service Recognition Day
was held at the Black Hawk College CEC on
April 3, 2018
Mayor Steve Looney, City Officials, Community &
Agencies Leaders recognizes the impact of having past and present AmeriCorps Members
serving in our community.

Thanks for supporting our
Step Ladder Tutoring Program
Easter Weekend Tag Days Fundraiser
March 30 - March 31
Students, Volunteers and Staff were stationed at
Walmart and Save-a-Lot
We appreciate your continued support.



Step Ladder Tutoring is in our spring session.
We continue to support students with homework help, improve skill mastery, study for test and assist with projects.
"Helping One Child at a Time"

AmeriCorps current and Former members served at the Community Black History Extravaganza on Sunday, Februdary 18, 2018. This event was held at the First Congregational Church in Kewanee. The high school choirs and youth from both schools participated in the program. The event drew a large crowd from the community and the State Rep. Dan Swanson, a Rep. from Cheri Bustos office, Kate Jennings-Gerber, Mayor Steve Looney, other city and school administrators attended the event.

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos was in Kewanee today to present a Congressional Record to the City of Kewanee and the Sunshine Community Services Center for receiving the Governor's Hometown Award.
She expressed her appreciation for the work we do to help the youth in our community. Both the Kewanee and Wethersfield school districts, and the Kewanee Public Library also received a copy of the record.

Gary Bradley, City Manager, Councilman-Chris Colomer, Bustos, LaFlora, Councilman-Steve Faber

Host Site Supervisors-Linda Bolls, Jill Milroy, Barbara Love
Bustos, LaFlora

Site Supervisor-Jesse Wheelhouse, Student-Gabriel Anderson, Bustos, LaFlora, Student-Morgan Golden, Volunteer Tutors-Norma Good, Patty Varner, Anita Blanks

Bustos, LaFlora

Dr. Chris Sullens-Supt. Kewanee Schools,
 Bustos, LaFlora

LaFlora and City Councilman Chris Colomer

             AmeriCorps members recently attended
         a training session at the Kewanee Public Library
|

AmeriCorps members: Angel Lutz, Betty Gish, Kaitlyn Cameron
Yadira Chavez and Erin Henkel
Etta LaFlora, Executive Director Sunshine Community Services Center
Barbara Love, Director Kewanee Public Library

The Fall Session of the Step Ladder Tutoring Program is complete
Spring Session started January 4, 2018

Governor's Hometown Award Recognition
for the
Step Ladder Tutoring Program
http://www.starcourier.com/news/20171010/kewanee-govs-hometown-award-finalist

Thanks to Literacy Volunteers of Illinois -
The AmeriCorps Program has been expanded
to provide members not only for the Step Ladder Tutoring Program
but also to other local agencies such as the
Kewanee YMCA,  Salvation Army and Kewanee Public Library

National Day of Recognition & Swearing-In Ceremony
at the Old State Capitol Building in Springfield, IL

We are in our Fall Session of the
Step Ladder Tutoring Program

Thank you for supporting our Tag Days Fundraiser
for the

Step Ladder Tutoring Program
Labor Day Weekend Sept. 1st and 2nd

 Our Mission

 is to provide comprehensive services to a diverse population within Kewanee, Illinois and surrounding areas in Henry County. These services include educational services and community empowerment and support programs.

Our vision
 is to enhance the quality of life for the children and families in our community and encourage community members to give back through the spirit of volunteerism.

 Fall Session
for the Step Ladder Tutoring Program starts
Monday, August 21, 2017

Step Ladder Summer Tutoring at the Library
was completed on Thursday, July 27, 2017

A program for middle school students was held at the Kewanee Public Library during the month of July on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday’s
from 1:00 to 2:15 p.m. 

Thanks to a Dollar General Foundation grant, written in a partnership between our agencies, the Kewanee Public Library and the Sunshine Community Services Center, youth will again receive enhanced learning opportunities, books, and school supplies. 

We had fun and interesting activities planned to help students improve in core subject areas. It’s almost like a refresher course before school starts in the fall.

Thanks to our partnership with Literacy Volunteers of Illinois,
AmeriCorps members will also assist with this program.

See more Step Ladder Tutoring at the Library Pictures to the right (above)

 “2017 Summer of Service AmeriCorps Project is Complete”

Thanks to our partnership with Literacy Volunteers of Illinois
(4) AmeriCorps members served in the pubic school summer program, GED and ESL tutoring program, Step Ladder Tutoring at the Library, and assisted
other agencies- Salvation Army, Historical Society, University of Illinois Extension cooking School, and other programs in community.

We ended the summer with a luncheon at Los Ranchitos in Kewanee.
(Thanks to Dorothy Miaso, executive director with Literacy Volunteers of Illinois)



See more Summer of Service pictures to the right (above)

 

"Helping one child at a time"

Central and Wethersfield Jr. High School 
Afterschool 3:00 - 4:15 p.m.

 Applications are now being taken to:

• Enroll new students in the Step Ladder Tutoring Program 
• Recruit new volunteer tutors
  
  

Mayor and County Day of Recognition for National Service was held on April 11th
at the Black Hawk College CEC in Kewanee, IL to honor those who serve as AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members to help in our communities.

(Melinda Edwards, city clerk, Steve Looney, Mayor of Kewanee, Frey Guerrero, AmeriCorps member, Etta LaFlora, AmeriCorps member, Phyllis Dotson, former AmeriCorps member, David Harris, Coordinator BHC CEC, Mike Yaklich, city councilman. (See more pictures t the right under Mayor's Day)

Hat's Off to Volunteers luncheon was held on April 20th at Parkside Apartments in Kewanee, IL.  to honor volunteers who serve in Henry County agencies in the community and surrounding areas.

Honorees included two volunteers from Sunshine Community Services Center. Second from the left-Dr. Mary Kay Fulton our volunteer consultant and Director of Educational Services and third from the left-Jayna Hansen an AmeriCorps member serving at Wethersfield Jr. High in the Step Ladder Tutoring Program. David Harris, coordinator for BHC CEC presented the awards.

Frey Guerrero, a tutor for the Step Ladder Tutoring Program a project of the Sunshine Community Services Center was honored with an Outstanding Tutor award on April 8, 2017 at the 26^th Annual On the Road to Literacy Conference. The awards were made by Literacy Volunteers of Illinois and the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Center for Literacy.

 The swearing-in ceremony was a part of  the
National Service Recognition Day held in Springfield,IL.

 
A “Summer of Service AmeriCorps” project ended for six area youth with a luncheon at the Station House Restaurant

In Photo: Front row-Elizabeth Bral and Victoria West, Back row-Jenni Eastman, Etta LaFlora, executive director, Sunshine Community Services, Antoinette Hall, Elizabeth Jamison, and Dorothy Miaso, executive director, Literacy Volunteers of Illinois (Missing from photo Rachael Wentworth).
(see more Summer of Service Photos to the right)

Step Ladder Summer Tutoring Program at the Kewanee Public Library was completed on  July 28, 2016
(See more summer program pictures to the right)


Our summer tutoring program at the Kewanee Public Library was completed on July 28, 2016 for middle school students from the Kewanee and Wethersfield Public Schools. This is our 6th year of having a summer program at the library and our 5th year of being in the public schools.

Thanks to a grant from the Dollar General Foundation, we have been able to expand our services. With the assistance of Barbara Love, the library's assistant director, we have ordered numerous items to enhance our program. 

Because of our partnership with Literacy Volunteers of Illinois, we had six AmeriCorps members, who are returning college students or recent high school graduates, who are helping with the program; and we had two high school volunteers.

 If you would like to volunteer or would like to enroll a youth in our program, please call Etta LaFlora at (309) 853-7751.

A Scrabble Tournaments on Saturdays in July was sponsored by the Kewanee Area United Way,  Literacy Volunteers of Illinois and the Sunshine Community Services Center.

End of the year Field Trip to Wild Life Prairie Park

Thanks to the donation from an anonymous donor, staff, volunteers and students from the Step Ladder Tutoring Program made an end of the year field trip to the Wild Life Prairie Park in Hanna City, then afterwards ate at the Golden Corral Buffet in Peoria, IL.

(see more pictures to the right under Field Trip)

                       Fifth Annual Appreciation Ceremony

We ended our Fifth year with an Appreciation Ceremony at the Black Hawk College CEC on Monday, May 23, 2016. for having the Step Ladder Tutoring program at Central and Wethersfield Jr. High Schools during the school year, and summer sessions at the Kewanee Public Library. Thanks to our board, staff, volunteer adult, high school and college students, and AmeriCorps members who served as tutors for our program.

Also, thanks to all of our funders, supporters, schools, community, and to Dorothy Miaso with Literacy Volunteers of Illinois for partnering with us and providing AmeriCorps members to help our schools and community programs.

 See more program pictures on Appreciation Ceremony link to the right.

Spring 2016
Step Ladder Tutoring Program

Students are working hard to complete homework
and improve skills mastery

Sunshine Community Services Center
 hosted our
5th Annual Community Forum on Education
“Together, we can help our struggling students.” 
December 14, 2015   6:00 p.m.– 7:15 p.m.
Black Hawk College Community Education Center
404 E. 3rd Street      Kewanee, IL

Special Guests:

 David Harris-Coordinator Black Hawk College CEC, Chris Shallow-District Director for Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, Dr. Chris Sullens-Supt. Kewanee School District, Etta LaFlora-Executive Director Sunshine Community Services Center, Fred Nettles-Board Chairman Serve Illinois Commission, Dorothy Miaso-Executive Director Literacy Volunteers of Illinois,
State Rep. Donald Moffitt. 
Thanks for attending

 Thanks to Ronald McDonald House Charities for awarding a $5000 grant to the Sunshine Community Services Center to support the Step Ladder Tutoring Program at an award luncheon on November 16, 2015.

The award was presented to Etta LaFlora, executive director of the Sunshine from Barbara Werning-Dee, executive director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois. Attending the luncheon with LaFlora were Dr. Mary Kay Fulton, the agency's consultant and Director of Educational Services and Marcia Gleeson, Board President.

Plus we received a $340 donation from Hill Church kid’s carnival to support the Step Ladder Tutoring Program

Thanks for Individual and Business Donations
see Supporters Tab to the right........

See More "Summer of Service" Pictures under Collaborations at the right

Congratulations!!!!

To the 2015 Governor's Volunteer Award Winners for the Northwest Region 
Ashlee Werkheiser & Etta LaFlora 

 Dorothy Miaso, Executive Director Literacy Volunteers of Illinois, Etta LaFlora, award winner-Executive Director Sunshine Community Services Center and AmeriCorps member, Ashlee Werkheiser, award winner-freshman Wethersfield High School, Deb Sundberg, Program Coordinator-Jump Start Program
IYC-Kewanee.

(see link to the right for more pictures from Governor's Volunteer Award Ceremony)

 Our Mission

 is to provide comprehensive services to a diverse population within Kewanee, Illinois and surrounding areas in Henry County. These services include educational services and community empowerment and support programs.

Our Vision
 is to enhance the quality of life for the children and families in our community and encourage community members to give back through the spirit of volunteerism.          

      Collaborative Efforts to help provide more services to youth and families in the community.     

                               See Collaborations Link to the right...............

 Program Pictures see more at links to the right

      A Network of (48) Volunteers have provided (117) struggling students

with afterschool or summer tutoring services. 

Thanks for the Support

If you have any questions or need additional information, please call us at 

309-853-7751

  Other Major  Funders
  

(see copy of article on Media Page Link) 

Thanks to local businesses for donations to 2016 summer tutoring program.

Dan Rux - Rux Funeral Home   

Rhonda Cernovich -  Cernovich's Auto & Truck Wrecking

Other local businesses wishing to donate

Please call - we can pick up your donation

"Helping one child at a time."

see links to the right for more program pictures 

We are a non-profit 501(c)(3)  charitable organization that supports existing agencies and schools in our community.

Sunshine will provide a variety of educational support services and programs to children and families.

Our unique "team building" concept addresses the voids and gaps in society. 

 
"Together we can get the job done."

We collaborate with existing educational, governmental and social service agencies to implement our programs, but we are a separate entity.

Any programs administered by our organization will be listed on this site (currently the Step Ladder Tutoring Program).

Please consider supporting our nonprofit organization.

 By helping us, we can help others.

Please check the following links to confirm registration with the IRS.

http://www.irs.gov/app/pub-78/

http://www.taxexemptworld.com/organizations/henry-county-il-illinois.asp

http://www.taxexemptworld.com/organizations/kewanee-il-illinois.asp

Please contact us anytime!

We look forward to hearing from you.

(309) 853-7751 

 
stepladder@sunshinecsc.com

All donations are tax deductible

Send to above address
or

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Click Donations Tab at the right

for instructions

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