Reflecting on 2025 and Stepping Confidently Into 2026

As we close out 2025 and step into a new year, we are filled with gratitude and excitement!

This past year reminded us of what is possible when community, opportunity, and purpose come together. Because of the continued support of our donors, partners, and friends, Sunshine Gospel Ministries strengthened programs, expanded our reach, and built momentum that is carrying us boldly into 2026.

We are beginning 2026 by closing our January applications for the Seed to Grow Scholarship, marking an important milestone in our continued investment in education, opportunity, and long term growth for our community. Supporting learners and emerging leaders at every stage remains a core part of our mission, and we are excited to grow this initiative even further in the year ahead.

In 2025, our WorkLife program opened doors to opportunity and financial stability for participants in meaningful ways. Twelve individuals enrolled in our pilot cohort, and all twelve completed three months of soft skills training. Along the way, six industry certifications were earned, and nine participants successfully completed on the job placements. Two high school students were unable to be placed during the school year due to scheduling limitations, but they remain engaged and positioned for future opportunities. These outcomes reflect confidence built, skills strengthened, and pathways created.

Our Flourishing Community Initiative/Violence Intervention Program also expanded its reach throughout 2025. Through intentional relationship building and on the ground engagement, we extended our presence into additional South Side communities, meeting people where they are and reinforcing our commitment to safety, healing, and community led solutions. This work continues to grow because the need is real and the impact is tangible.

At the same time, programs like Familyhood, Youth Outreach, and our Housing Equity Initiative ensured that our core service work continued to move forward with consistency and care. Over the course of the year, we served hundreds of families through food distribution, housing resources, afterschool programming, and summer enrichment opportunities. These efforts remain central to who we are, and we look forward to returning in 2026 at maximum level and pace to serve even more families.

As 2025 came to a close, we welcomed the Workers Center for Racial Justice to our campus. Their onsite presence strengthens our ecosystem of support by providing political education and community centered services that promote awareness, advocacy, and empowerment.

We also launched our Behavioral Health Initiative in 2025, reinforcing our commitment to health and wellness as essential to thriving individuals and communities. This initiative represents an important step toward holistic care and long term stability.

As we move into 2026, momentum continues to build. We are making meaningful progress toward raising funds for our capital campaign, expanding program capacity, and deepening partnerships across the city. There is so much ahead, and we are energized by what is possible.

To stay connected and learn more about upcoming programs and opportunities, we invite you to sign up for our email newsletter, visit our website at and join our sms community thread.

Thank you to every donor, partner, volunteer, and community member who supported Sunshine Gospel Ministries throughout 2025. Because of you, we step into 2026 with confidence, energy, and a shared belief that the best is still ahead.