irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $19KSUMMER PREVENTION SERVICES PROGRAM USES THE TIME OFF FROM SCHOOL FOR THE YOUTH TO CONTINUE WORKING ON LIFE SKILLS AND LEARNING THE DANGERS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE. YOUTH AND TEEN CAMPS HELP TO KEEP THE ATTENDEES ON THE RIGHT TRACK TO BECOME WELL ROUNDED ADULTS. CAMPS CONSIST OF FIELD TRIPS, SHOWS, SPORTS PROGRAMS AND MORE.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Children's Programs
Includes SafeKids (ages 5–9) and Youth Leadership Club (ages 10–12), offering weekly sessions on peer pressure, bullying, anger management, and self-esteem, with concurrent parent components.
Holiday Assistance Program
Provides food, toys, and financial support to families in need during the holidays, prioritizing current Sunshine program participants and collaborating with local schools and businesses.
P.E.A.C.E. Component
Prevention Education and Cultural Enrichment program based on restorative justice principles, incorporating monthly themes, guest speakers, community service, and field trips to build life skills and alternatives to substance use and violence.
Summer Prevention Program
6-week summer program for children ages 5–16 focusing on life skills, substance abuse prevention, and social-emotional learning through field trips, workshops, and age-appropriate activities.
Sunshine Alternative Education Center (SAEC)
Provides academic and social-emotional support for at-risk adolescents through a small, tailored learning environment in partnership with school districts. Focuses on re-engaging students affected by substance use, mental health issues, and behavioral challenges.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Parenting Education and Support Programs 2 activities
- Court-approved prevention and family servicesProvides prevention programs recognized by child protective services and probation agencies, structured in 5-week sessions, with certificates of completion issued to participants.
- Parent support groups and educational resourcesHosts monthly parent support groups on topics such as educational advocacy, parenting teens, and grandparents raising grandchildren, and provides educational handouts and resources on bullying, cyberbullying prevention, and gratitude.
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Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs 2 activities
- Specialized skill-building programs for emotional and social challengesOffers evidence-based programs such as Sunshine STEPS for anger management and bullying prevention, along with self-guided resources like anxiety management worksheets and activities promoting gratitude and future goal-setting.
- Structured children's prevention programs with parent involvementProvides weekly programs for children ages 5–12 focused on healthy relationships, emotional regulation, bullying prevention, and self-esteem through creative activities. Children are grouped by age, and concurrent parent sessions are offered as an integrated component.
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Charter School Operations 1 activity
- Alternative education servicesProvides alternative education services to students, serving 210 students in total with 141 completing a year and 35 graduating as of 2025. The organization was awarded an Absolute Charter from the New York State Education Department in 2024, recognizing programmatic excellence.
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Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
- Family-centered holiday support and community outreachProvides seasonal support and resources to families currently participating in programs during the holiday season, as part of its broader outreach services for children, teens, adults, and parents.
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Storytelling and Literacy Resource Development 1 activity
- Publication of educational materials and children's literatureAuthored and published a children's book titled "Appreciation of Diversity" to teach tolerance and help children understand life's challenges, featuring diverse characters and integrated into program curricula.
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Inclusive Social & Recreational Events 1 activity
- Weekly teen program and monthly social eventsOperates a weekly teen program for ages 13 and up, meeting Tuesday evenings during the school year, and organizes monthly social events and field trips to build positive social skills among teens.
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Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
- Youth and teen summer prevention services programOperates a summer program for youth and teens focused on life skills and substance abuse prevention, featuring field trips, shows, and sports activities. The program is family-centered and includes components for parents.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$246K
Contributions & grants$152K62%
Program service revenue$78K31%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$17K
expenses
Total expenses$300K
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$205K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$356K
Cash$161K
Investments$0
Liabilities$271K
Net assets$85K
Liquid reserves6.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -5.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAROL CARTER | CEO/SECRETAR | 20 | $86K |
board members · 10
- ELIZABETH DELU — BOARD MEMBER
- FRANCES CAMPANI — BOARD MEMBER
- GILLIAN NATT — BOARD MEMBER
- JACQUEL ORSINO — BOARD MEMBER
- JANINE DALLI — BOARD MEMBER
- JOANNE WILSON — BOARD MEMBER
- LINDA SANDERS — BOARD MEMBER
- NANCY CAMPO — BOARD MEMBER
- RICH BYLOTT — TREASURER
- ROBERT COHEN — PRESIDENT
relationships · 46
Who they work with
- Amityville School District Partner — Partner school district that refers students to the Sunshine Alternative Education Center.
- BOCES Arts-in-Education Network — Sunshine is a member of the BOCES Arts-in-Education program.
- Babylon School District Partner — Partner school district that refers students to the Sunshine Alternative Education Center.
- Bayshore School District Partner — Partner school district that refers students to the Sunshine Alternative Education Center.
- Brentwood School District Partner — Partner school district that refers students to the Sunshine Alternative Education Center.
- CPS Government — Provides programs recognized by child protective services.
- Central Islip School District Partner — Partner school district that refers students to the Sunshine Alternative Education Center.
- Commack School District Partner — Partner school district that refers students to the Sunshine Alternative Education Center.
- Comsewogue School District Partner — Partner school district that refers students to the Sunshine Alternative Education Center.
- ConnectSafely Partner — Shares cyberbullying prevention tips developed by ConnectSafely.
- Connetquot School District Partner — Partner school district that refers students to the Sunshine Alternative Education Center.
- Court Government — Provides court-approved programs recognized by judicial authorities.
- Eastport South Manor School District Partner — Partner school district that refers students to the Sunshine Alternative Education Center.
- Facebook Partner — Social media presence on Facebook
- Facebook Partner — Social media presence on Facebook for outreach and engagement.
- Instagram Partner — Social media presence on Instagram
- Instagram Partner — Social media presence on Instagram for outreach and engagement.
- Kings Park School District Partner — Partner school district that refers students to the Sunshine Alternative Education Center.
- Longwood School District Partner — Partner school district that refers students to the Sunshine Alternative Education Center.
- Middle Country School District Partner — Partner school district that refers students to the Sunshine Alternative Education Center.
- Miller Place School District Partner — Partner school district that refers students to the Sunshine Alternative Education Center.
- NYS Education Department Government — Approved Provisional Charter holder through NYS Education Department and Board of Regents
- New York State Education Department Government — Approved Sunshine as a Provisional Charter and as an Education Corporation.
- New York State Education Department Government — Granted an Absolute Charter to Sunshine Alternative Education Center in recognition of organizational and educational standards.
- OASAS Government — Certifies Sunshine prevention professionals and recognizes the organization as an Education & Training Provider.
- OASAS Government — Prevention Professionals recognized through OASAS (NYS Office of Alcohol & Substance Abuse Services) and certified as an OASAS Education and Training Provider
- Patchogue-Medford School District Partner — Partner school district that refers students to the Sunshine Alternative Education Center.
- Port Jefferson School District Partner — Partner school district that refers students to the Sunshine Alternative Education Center.
- Probation Government — Provides programs recognized by probation agencies.
- Riverhead School District Partner — Partner school district that refers students to the Sunshine Alternative Education Center.
+ 16 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Creative, Engagement-Based Learning for Behavioral Healthmethodology: creative-activity-based-learningBy using fun and creative activities to teach emotional regulation and social-emotional skills, we improve learning and retention, because engaging methods resonate with youth and lower resistance to behavioral health education.
- Early Intervention to Prevent Risk Behaviorsmethodology: early interventionBy intervening early before risk behaviors occur, we prevent substance abuse and violence in children, because addressing root causes during developmental stages disrupts negative trajectories and builds protective factors.
- Family-Centered Prevention Modelmethodology: family-centered preventionBy engaging families alongside youth in prevention programming, we improve social skill development and reduce stigma, because family involvement strengthens support systems and reinforces healthy behaviors across contexts.
- Restorative Practices for Life Skills and Violence Preventionmethodology: restorative_practicesBy applying restorative justice principles through the P.E.A.C.E. Component, we build life skills and prevent substance use and violence, because repairing harm and strengthening relationships fosters accountability and emotional regulation.