Sunnybrook breaks ground on home
RIDGELAND — Sunnybrook Children’s Home celebrated the groundbreaking Tuesday of Renasant Bank Cottage, the sixth residential campus property serving adolescent youth ages 14 to 21 on their 32-acre campus just off of Sunnybrook Road here.
The ceremony, hosted in partnership with the city of Ridgeland and the Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce, welcomed local dignitaries, including Mayor Gene McGee, Cecil Harper, Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce President, and Raymond VanNorman, South MS President, EVP, Renasant Bank.
"We are honored to witness the groundbreaking ceremony for this new home, which represents not only bricks and mortar but also the promise of stability and hope for at-risk youth,” McGee said.
The addition of a sixth campus home represents an investment that supports and expands Transitional Programs at Sunnybrook, enabling the ministry to safely welcome a higher number of young adults, according to Ron Veazey, Director of Advancement at Sunnybrook. He said the facillity would be 4,500 square feet and can accommodate up to six residents in addition to a house parent.
McGee said these residence buildings were a fundamental element of Sunnybrook’s ministry.
“Housing is fundamental to the well-being of young adults in our foster care system, and initiatives like this demonstrate our collective dedication to addressing a critical need in our community,” McGee said. “I commend Sunnybrook and all involved partners for their unwavering commitment to making Ridgeland a place where everyone can thrive and find a place to call home.”
Myrle Grate, Sunnybrook Executive Director, called the groundbreaking a “milestone” for the ministry.
“This new home symbolizes our commitment to remain a beacon of hope for young adults who have already or will soon be exiting the Mississippi foster care system with no family and nowhere to go,’ Grate said. “It’s further evidence of our mission to continue strengthening the ministry’s impact in the Ridgeland community and beyond, in proud partnership with Child Protective Services and the State of Mississippi.”
Vearzey said Renasant Bank is a major naming sponsor of the project with a long history of giving to Sunnybrook.
Renasant Bank is helping fund the project which directly supports the mission and vision of Sunnybrook to be more efficient, expansive, and impactful in providing more homes and more hope for an increasing subset of older adolescent populations who need our networks and resources the most, VanNorman said.
"We are thrilled to partner with Sunnybrook on the construction of a new home for adolescents on their Ridgeland campus,” VanNorman said. “At Renasant Bank, we believe in the power of teamwork to drive meaningful change. This project exemplifies our shared vision to make a positive impact and improve the lives of young adults in need. Together, we can create lasting solutions that pave the way for a brighter future.”
Since 1963, Sunnybrook has been committed to providing safe and nurturing environments for foster families and children through functional programs and services that address psychological issues, job training, financial literacy, education, and basic life skills that serve as pathways for residents to become contributing members of society, Veazey said. Resources and ministry at Sunnybrook also focus on the spiritual journey of foster youth through on-campus bible studies, church youth groups, Christian Summer camps, and attending church on a weekly basis.
For more information about the new home for residents and Sunnybrook Children’s Home, please visit www.sunnybrookms.org or contact Ron Veazey at (601) 540-4253 or rveazey@sunnybrookms.org.