Sunrise Outreach of Yakama :: Ministries

Issues this organization engages with

What We've

Observed

Due to the growing impact of poverty in our community, the demand for food and housing assistance was quickly surpassing the church’s capacity to provide support. Families facing hardship were increasing in number, and it became clear that our existing resources—both financial and volunteer-driven—were not enough to meet the rising needs. We were faced with a critical decision: How could we effectively address these urgent concerns while ensuring long-term sustainability?

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We needed a strategic approach to serve these vulnerable populations in a way that was both compassionate and scalable. Beyond that, we recognized that many members of our congregation and the broader community wanted to help but lacked a clear path to do so. This raised an important question—how could we create an organized system that connected those in need with those willing to give, whether through time, donations, or expertise?

Actions

We Take

We established a nonprofit with the vision of scaling over time to meet the community’s growing needs. To create sustainable solutions for hunger and homelessness, we formed strategic partnerships with local churches, businesses, and government agencies.

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Today, our organization supports a dedicated team, including two full-time and two part-time staff members, along with hundreds of volunteers—many of whom contribute full-time hours to keep our operations running smoothly. Additionally, our Executive Director has taken a leadership role in the local Homeless Coalition and now serves as the Beta Chairman for the Continuum of Care, further strengthening our impact and advocacy efforts.

Impact

We Make

Over time, it became increasingly clear that permanent supportive housing is the most effective solution for addressing chronic homelessness.

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We are incredibly proud to announce the completion of Cottage Hill Place, a transformative project developed in partnership with Justice Housing. This initiative consists of 17 permanent supportive housing units designed to provide safe, stable housing for vulnerable families. More than just shelter, Cottage Hill Place offers residents access to critical services such as case management, mental health support, job training, and financial counseling—ensuring they have the tools needed to rebuild their lives.

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Beyond housing, we have also expanded our efforts to combat food insecurity. What started as a localized effort has now grown into a nationwide initiative, with six food pantries operating in various locations across the country. Through these pantries, we are now distributing 5,000 food allotments each month, ensuring that individuals and families facing hardship have access to nutritious meals.

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As we continue to scale our impact, our mission remains clear: to provide not only relief but also long-term solutions that empower individuals to achieve stability and self-sufficiency.