Sunflower Kids: An Overview

What is and is not in the best interests of a child is a topic often debated, especially in a place as diverse in both cultures and mindsets as America. Some people will tell you that drinking cow's milk is terrible for children, some people believe that children shouldn't play video games, and some people believe that their children would be better educated at home by their parents than they would be at a public school. The State of Kentucky believes that children should be in contact with both of their parents, regardless of the parents' past behaviors. This, unfortunately, means that even parents that have abused the child or the child's other parent will have visitation rights to the child in the event of a divorce between said child's parents. Providing a safe environment for these children and children whose parents are dealing with other issues such as substance abuse and mental illness to meet with their parents is the mission of a small organization headquartered right here in Lexington known as Sunflower Kids.

The Sunflower Kids Logo

My first impression from looking at a more detailed overview of the organization’s website is that it is everything I signed up for when I designated it as my first choice during the service learning organization selection process. One gets right down in the thick of it by being a volunteer here. As I previously stated, its mission is to facilitate meetings where children who come from family environments plagued by physical/sexual abuse, substance abuse, mental illness, and other horrible situations can be in a room with their parent(s) and feel that they are in a safe environment. This program is helping to save families and keep at-risk children safe without completely taking them away from their parents. Volunteers can do anything from cleaning the meeting rooms to helping with fundraising efforts to helping handle the visits and monitored children exchanges. I’m excited to feel like I’m helping some kids have healthy relationships with their parents, and vice versa. I’m looking forward to learning how it feels working with children, as I am planning on going into the medical field and I sometimes debate whether or not I would want to work with children. I'm excited to see what I will end up doing to help this great cause.