Who we are
Sonshine is a family and individual service provider licensed by the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services and the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services to provide residential care to children and adults of all ages in both Foster Homes and Group Homes.
Our Story
Sonshine began in 1991 as a family-run foster care agency, and as needs grew in the community, so did we. Our Sonshine Family has now expanded to include two day programs, group homes, foster homes, an accessible camp, and evening social clubs.
1991
After retiring from 24 years of service as Salvation Army officers, Len and Trinette Goddard founded Sonshine in 1991 as a small family-run foster care agency: Sonshine Families. As the needs of the children and the adults in our care grew, so did the services and programs we provide.
1993
Sonshine opens its first therapeutic S.A.F.E. (staff-assisted foster environment) home.
1994
Sonshine Cove located in Notre Dame du Laus, Quebec was completed. After arranging with the local town the new camp building was designed and built. Our first summer camp happened in 1994. Since then, Sonshine Cove has provided many camps for children, teenagers and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities.
1996
Sonshine opened its first group home which is now the permanent home for 9 men and women with developmental and physical disabilities as well as complex medical needs.
1998
Sonshine opened its second group home which was originally for women only with developmental and behavioral needs.
1999
As Sonshine clients finished high school, there was an increased need for adult programming, but there was not enough programs with the right supports in the east end of Ottawa. So the Reaching All Your Stars day program, or R.A.Y.S. for short, was created and began.
2016
As news of the R.A.Y.S. day program spread, the needs of the program’s participants grew and changed so R.A.Y.S. spun off another day program – B.E.A.M. (Behaviour Energy Activity Management). R.A.Y.S. became the home for participants with physical and developmental disabilities as well as complex medical needs. B.E.A.M. became the home for our participants with developmental disabilities and behavioural needs.
2020
Sonshine reached capacity at our two day programs, but the need in the community of Ottawa East continued to increase. Sonshine created the Community Inclusion Centre, which doubled our day program space and be available to other like-minded programs and services.
2022
Sonshine began our club programs. The goal of these programs is to allow children and adults with disabilities to have a club full of people with the same interests as them to be creative and learn with. The clubs now include Sonshine Singers Choir, Sonshine Social Club, and Sonshine Chefs Club.
And here we are now…
Both the R.A.Y.S and B.E.A.M day programs, the group homes and S.A.F.E. medical foster homes are thriving and full. Constantly adapting and growing to serve their clients needs to the best of their abilities. Sonshine Cove has grown to having successful and full weekend camps 2 weekends per month, March Break and all summer long and is able to serve an incredibly diverse group of children and adults. The Club programs continue to grow with hopes of adding a theatre focused group in the upcoming year.
