Sunday Friends Welcomes Kindness Week

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Acts of kindness, big or small, can challenge stereotypes, build trust, and foster a more just society.

Sunday Friends uses a community-led, community-driven model, fostering a supportive ecosystem of support. They incentivize participation through a model that rewards learning, volunteerism, and participation with additional privileges, responsibility, and access to program offerings.

Community: Strengthening community through togetherness, generosity, and kindness. Last year, thanks to the support of donors and volunteers, Sunday Friends served 10,874 children, youth, adults, and seniors through a variety of community programs.

"The workshop was a lifeline. It not only provided practical tools but also offered a safe space to share and connect with others. I left feeling empowered and hopeful for the future."

Education: Increasing access, opportunities, and inclusion through educational attainment. Sunday Friends awarded $19,000 in scholarships to 16 young adults, supporting their pursuit of higher education and career goals. In addition, Sunday Friends offers ongoing classes such as Financial Literacy Workshops, College Application Guidance, Career Counseling Sessions, Childhood Education Classes, and Digital Literacy Training.

"Receiving this scholarship was a dream come true. Thanks to Sunday Friends, I can now pursue my passion for nursing and work towards a better future."

Basic Needs & Dignity: Relieving short-term burdens and upholding the dignity of the human spirit. Alleviating immediate hardships and honoring human dignity, Sunday Friends Distributed 106,683 pounds of food and 16,958 essential items to families in need, while raising $100,000 through the Tiendita de Apoyo merchandise initiative.

"When I lost my job, I didn’t know how I would feed my family. Thanks to Sunday Friends, we had food on the table to get by. They restored my hope and dignity."

Advocacy: Increasing opportunities for self and community advocacy to build power and enact change. Over 100 community leaders convened for the inaugural "Inside Poverty" Panel in August, uniting advocates and changemakers to explore innovative solutions and celebrate the transformative power of kindness.

"The Inside Poverty Panel was a powerful experience. It brought together diverse perspectives and inspired real action. I’m excited to see the positive impact of the ideas shared at the event."

Wellness: Promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Over 5,640 individuals through 145 live workshops and classes that fostered holistic health and resilience within our community. An example is that we are partnering with families at Santee Elementary and the Bonita Project Hope neighborhood to provide the knowledge and skills needed to prevent opioid overdoses.

"The workshops really helped. I’m now better prepared for life’s challenges and to support my loved ones."

Volunteers are the engine that drives Kindness at Sunday Friends. Over 2,000 individuals, companies, church groups and organizations that translate Kindness into Action through volunteerism inspire a wave of generosity within our community every year. It reminds everyone that even small acts of volunteerism have the power to create a brighter future, one that is not only just, but also promotes health equity for all.

"Volunteering with Sunday Friends has been incredibly rewarding. It’s inspiring to see the impact of our collective efforts and know that we're making a real difference in people’s lives."

Join us in honoring World Kindness Day by filling our week with acts of kindness and goodwill! Thank you for making a difference—one act of kindness at a time.

The Sunday Friends Team