Sunshine Services - Knoxville, Tennessee

Introduction

Nestled in the heart of Knoxville, Tennessee, Sunshine Services, located at 3000 N Central St, Knoxville, TN 37917, stands as a beacon of support and opportunity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This non-profit organization, founded in 1976, has been dedicated to empowering and enriching the lives of its clients, providing them with vocational training, employment opportunities, and life skills development.

Sunshine Services is not just a service provider; it's a community. It's a place where individuals with disabilities can work, grow, and contribute to society, while also receiving the support they need to live fulfilling, independent lives. The organization's commitment to its mission is evident in its wide range of services, its accessible location, and its numerous featured characteristics that set it apart.

Main Services

• Vocational Training and Employment: Sunshine Services offers comprehensive vocational training programs to help individuals develop the skills they need to secure and maintain competitive employment. The organization works with local businesses to provide on-the-job training and employment opportunities for its clients.
• Life Skills Development: In addition to vocational training, Sunshine Services provides life skills training to help individuals with disabilities develop the independent living, social, and communication skills they need to thrive in their communities.
• Community Integration Services: Sunshine Services also offers community integration services, including supported employment, supported living, and day services. These services help individuals with disabilities to integrate into their communities, form relationships, and lead fulfilling lives.
• Transportation Services: Sunshine Services provides transportation to and from its programs for individuals who need it, ensuring that no one is left behind due to lack of access to reliable transportation.

Location and Access

Sunshine Services is located in the Vestal neighborhood of Knoxville, Tennessee, just off I-40 and I-75, providing easy access for clients and visitors from across the region. The organization's building is designed with accessibility in mind, featuring:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot
• Elevators and ramps for easy navigation

Featured Characteristics

• Community-Based Programming: Sunshine Services' programs are designed to be community-based, meaning that they take place in real-world settings and focus on helping individuals to integrate into their communities.
• Person-Centered Approach: The organization takes a person-centered approach to its services, tailoring supports and services to each individual's unique needs, preferences, and goals.
• Family Support Services: Sunshine Services offers family support services, including respite care and family education, to help families care for their loved ones at home.
• Advocacy and Collaboration: Sunshine Services is an active advocate for individuals with disabilities and works collaboratively with other local organizations to ensure that individuals have access to the supports and services they need to thrive.

Practical Information

• Address: 3000 N Central St, Knoxville, TN 37917
• Phone: 55469431
• Website: sunshineservicesknox.org
• Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• Email: [email protected]

Positive Aspects from Reviews

Sunshine Services has received numerous accolades from its clients, their families, and the community for its dedicated service and positive impact. Here are some of the positive aspects highlighted in reviews:

• Stability and Consistency: One reviewer praised Sunshine Services for providing a "major force of stability in [their son's] life," highlighting the organization's commitment to consistency and reliability.
• Community Support: Another reviewer underscored the importance of Sunshine Services to the Knoxville community, noting that "everyone should support Sunshine" and praising the organization's work in providing employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• Quality Staff and Services: Multiple reviewers praised the quality of Sunshine Services' staff and the services they provide. One reviewer highlighted the "great staff" and "clients very helpful" nature, while another praised the organization's work in providing "vocational training" and "place to work for people with intellectual disabilities."
• Partnership and Collaboration: One reviewer noted that they "partner with [Sunshine Services] on deliveries," highlighting the organization's collaborative approach to supporting individuals with disabilities and working with local businesses.

👍 Reviews of Sunshine Services

Pootie W.

5/5

Sunshine has taken care of my son for many years. It serves as a major force of stability in his life. (He calls it “the factory”.)

Jim H.

5/5

Great service to the community. Everyone should support Sunshine. Provides place to work for People with intellectual disabilities. Great staff. Clients very helpful. I bought some insulation they had remove from industrial refrigeration.

Angel D.

3/5

While they provide vocational training, they are paying at least 30 people with intellectual disabilities less than minimum wage.

Jeremiah D.

5/5

Partner with them on deliveries, Great business that does a lot of good in Knoxville!

Judy S.

5/5

It was great and nice seeing my old friends.

J. R.

4/5

Needs some renovations. People are great

Sara S.

5/5

Awesome place

Liz D.

5/5

Nice

Soy W.

5/5

My cousin enjoyed working here assembling automotive parts, which is a skill I'd like to have. Not everyone can do that. My concern is that some of the larger vehicles can't stop in time when driving around the bend. The cross walk needs to be moved and repainted closer to the bridge. I'm going to ask at the library if there have been accidents or near accidents at the crosswalk.

I wonder if some of the clients/employees @ Sunshine are off SSI SSDI because they are working full time. I'm wondering if they are paid the same as comparable jobs assembling parts. Some drivers are driving cautiously and slow. There's also a large open drain pipe from the Knoxville water department. Someone with low vision could inadvertently step into this hole in the asphalt and suffer injury.

Pootie W.

5/5

Sunshine has taken care of my son for many years. It serves as a major force of stability in his life. (He calls it “the factory”.)

Jim H.

5/5

Great service to the community. Everyone should support Sunshine. Provides place to work for People with intellectual disabilities. Great staff. Clients very helpful. I bought some insulation they had remove from industrial refrigeration.

Angel D.

3/5

While they provide vocational training, they are paying at least 30 people with intellectual disabilities less than minimum wage.

Jeremiah D.

5/5

Partner with them on deliveries, Great business that does a lot of good in Knoxville!