PHOTO PROVIDED / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
MISSION OF SUNSHINE COMMUNITIES … Katie Maskey, director of mission advancement at Sunshine Communities, told Archbold Rotarians how Sunshine is serving nearly 300 persons with various developmental disabilities as well as those who are ventilator-dependent with complex medical needs. She explained the agency serves young children as well as adults. The program was arranged by Rotarian Luther Gautsche.
Sunshine Communities, originally known as Sunshine Children’s Home, has been located just west of Maumee on Maumee Western Road since 1950, when it opened to serve children with various developmental disabilities.
However, in the 76 or so years since then, a lot has changed. Katie Maskey, the director of mission advancement for Sunshine, recently explained to Archbold Rotarians how the mission has grown and changed along with the individuals and families that they serve.
Today, Sunshine serves adults as well as children who range in age from 2 to 82. Although nearly 60 of those persons are residents at the campus on Maumee Western Road, the rest come to the campus for services, participate in an off-site supported employment opportunity or attend school with support of Sunshine staff in area school systems.
Additionally, Maskey explained that Sunshine staff are able to provide support for ventilator-dependent individuals with highly complex medical needs.
Some 400 Sunshine employees provide the residential, vocational, therapeutic, recreational and transportation services that their clients and their families need.
Generally, the medical costs are covered by Medicaid, she said. However, Maskey noted that non-medical needs such as transportation and the equipment used to support clients are covered by donations and fundraising.
Additional support is generated by the two supported employment businesses that Sunshine and those whom it serves operate in Maumee: Georgette’s Grounds and Gifts at 311 Conant St. and Sunshine Studios at 305 Conant St.
For more information about Sunshine Communities, visit its website: www.sunshine.org.