Category: Special Event

Let the Sunshine In at GOFM!

We’re honored to have our friend, Sunshine Center, Inc., celebrate their 70 year anniversary mission with us.

At the market, you can find some one-of-a-kind ceramics made by their clients (available for purchase by donation). They’ll also be sharing the love of Sunshine, their mission and what the Sunshine Center is all about.

Dates:

January 29

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

About Sunshine Center, Inc.

Sunshine Center, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1953 by a group of parents whose children had Downs Syndrome. Sunshine was first established as Oleander School, a private elementary school offering learning opportunities for children with developmental disabilities who were being excluded from public schooling.

As parents continued to fight for their children’s rights and legislation was passed in the 1970’s to include these students in the public school system, Sunshine accordingly became an off-campus facility serving students with special needs within the Galveston Independent School District.

To reflect this change, we underwent our first name change to Sunshine Training Center. 1980’s legislation mainstreamed these children onto traditional campuses, so we reevaluated the needs in the community and once again adapted to meet them. Under the name of Sunshine Supportive Employment, we became a vocational center providing sheltered workshops and employment services to students after graduation from high school. Sunshine developed programs throughout the 1990’s and into the 21st century to increase the independence of adults with developmental disabilities, enhancing our programming with therapeutic components and community access, resulting in our latest name change:

Sunshine Center, Inc.

Current programs assist individuals with developing and maintaining educational, vocational, social, and life skills that allow them to lead a happy and fulfilling life. We also provide support services and education for their family members. We are proud of our history in this community of providing comprehensive care and quality programming for individuals with developmental disabilities. Learn more>

Did you know Galveston is certified as a Bird City Texas community? Now’s the chance to get Birding with Galveston Island Nature Tourism!

See how you match up to our feathered friends with their impressive Wingspan Chart + partake in a fun activity.

Plus, learn about FeatherFest, FledglingFest, our Bird City Designation, and resources & activities offered by GINTC.

Dates:

January 29

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

About GINTC

Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council’s (GINTC) mission is to connect people with Galveston’s natural environment. GINTC provides leadership for efforts to make the Island’s natural resources accessible to people in a manner that will sustain those resources for current and future generations. They also present events and products to help residents and visitors more fully enjoy the natural wonders of the Island. Learn more on their website>

Connecting with community through creativity!

Find your inner artist and celebrate the season with creative arts & crafts activities for the whole family with Galveston Arts Center!

They’ll also have more information about their exhibits, membership, and classes for adults, teens, and kids.

Dates:

January 22, 2023

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

About Galveston Arts Center

From 1971 to 1986 the Galveston Arts Center, under the Galveston County Cultural Arts Council, Inc., grew to offer quality programs in the form of exhibitions, art education and public festivals for all the Galveston County area. In 1986, The Galveston Arts Center became a separate non-profit organization. Mission Statement: The Galveston Arts Center’s mission is to engage, inform, provoke and inspire through the exploration of contemporary art. – Not sure exactly what would be best here, but I know you are really great at words, branding, and tying it all together.

Learn more on their website>

Start your Sunday on a good note and stop by AFSP’s Mindfulness Coloring Station.

Let your creativity go wild with AFSP’s coloring sheets (open to ALL ages!) and add a happy note to their Positivity Board!

Plus, you can learn more about their programs & their upcoming Hike for Hope 5K that is scheduled for March 25, 2023.

Dates:

January 8

February 5

March 12

9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

About American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Established in 1987, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.

AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide.  AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health by engaging in the following core strategies:

• Funding scientific research

• Educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention

• Advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention

• Supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide in our mission

Learn more on their website>