 
SunnyKids was established in 1999 as a Domestic and Family Violence service on the Sunshine Coast. Then known as Najidah – the service partnered with government and the community to build and purchase a series of properties in the region to accommodate women and children escaping Domestic Violence.
By 2003 they were providing 7000 nights accommodation per year with 75% of this provided to children; and with many of those children representing the third generation of their family to live in refuge, it had become clear that something had to be done to break the cycles of poverty and disadvantage that were leading so many children into refuge accommodation.
Between 2003 and 2009 SunnyKids quietly went about the business of developing integrated support systems and child focussed programs. Emergency accommodation for families grew to 10,000 nights per year.
Their outstanding efforts in these areas were rewarded with improved outcomes for children, and recognition through a number of national awards programs.
SunnyKids aims to support homelessness services in confidential locations throughout Australia.
Whilst Government subsidies are primarily directed towards supporting the parents in our services, children’s support is, in general, funded through donations and fundraising.
Our domestic violence service model is based on a philosophy of empowerment and is focused on assisting clients and children to become better equipped for the challenges they may face as they prepare to reintegrate into society.
Key Objectives
•To continue our support of parents and children escaping domestic violence
•To break intergenerational cycles of violence and abuse
•To continue developing, implementing and distributing award winning children’s programs
Supporting children in primary schools
Research shows that when children disengage in primary school they experience increased negative life outcomes (including higher rates of incarceration) and reduced life chances in general.
SCIPS connects families with relevant community resources and professional services to help them overcome the root causes of issues that are resulting in the child’s learning or schooling difficulties.
Through regularly monitoring progress with school authorities, an integrated comprehensive support structure can be built up around the child.
Key Objectives
•To facilitate community support and interventions when kids first show signs of disengaging from education
•To re-engage disengaged children in education, by building a platform from which they can reach their full potential
•To build meaningful, long lasting connections and partnerships between schools and community organisations
Young people living beyond suicide
Winner of the Suicide Prevention Australia Life Award for Youth Suicide Prevention, Head High is recognised nationally as a ground breaking suicide prevention program, founded by young people, for young people.
•For every suicide there are an average of ten close family members and hundreds of peers whose risk of suicide increases accordingly, placing them at significant risk
•Head High utilises strategies recognised as the most effective prevention: ongoing support; understanding; and a therapeutic relationship
Support groups use a model of integrating a mix of communication and connection between young people of similar age who are facing difficulties, and the opportunity to deal with a range of issues resulting from their situation.
Key Objectives
•To reduce the number of attempts and completed suicides by young Australians
•To lower risk by establishing support groups in larger communities across Australia; and establish a virtual support group for regional and remote communities
•To continue to resource communities across Australia to support young people who have been bereaved through suicide.
www.headhigh.org.au
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