VOLUNTEER/PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD
Dr. Carter was so proud to receive the Child Abuse and Neglect/Family Violence Volunteer/Professional of the YEAR AWARD by the Suffolk County Advisory Board on Child Protection and the Taskforce on Family Violence!!!
Pictured: Dr Carter, Amber and Kason Ayala who nominated Dr. Carter, Dr. Sylvia Diaz
Sunshine – Leaders in the field of Substance Abuse & Violence Prevention Since 1992.
Sunshine – Brightening the lives of children & families on Long Island
Leaders in the field of Substance Abuse & Violence Prevention for over 25 years. Sunshine is staffed with a wide array of professionals who each bring with them creativity, uniqueness, diversity, and compassion.
Sunshine Alternative Education Center (SAEC) is awarded an Absolute Charter from NYS Department of Education June 2024! The Absolute Charter certifies that SAEC meets organizational and educational standards, acknowledging its record of stability and programmatic excellence.
Allison Van Cott-McEntee from Stony Brook University’s radio station WUSB 90.1 FM recently interviewed Dr. Carter on the “Play It Forward” live show. Allison and members of the ‘Play it Forward” Project Club have a live radio show on SBU’s WUSB.FM regarding the fentanyl/opioid crisis with a focus group of committed and talented Stony Brook students to offer information, resources, community outreach, harm reduction, and dialogue between caring students.
Click Here to hear the interview with Dr. Carter
Plugged In Long Island
Click on the picture to the left to hear Dr. Carter being interviewed on Plugged In Long Island which aired on WBLI and WBAB.
Town of Brookhaven
”IN THE SPOTLIGHT” – A Conversation with
John and Jane Dr. Carter and participants from Sunshine were interviewed by the Town of Brookhaven Councilmembers John Kornreich and Jane Bonner. Click on picture to watch the interview.
Pictured L to R: Councilwomen Jane Bonner, Nick Hanley (Teen Leadershp Participant),
Dr. Carter (CEO/Co-founder), Danielle Wachter (Former Sunshine Alternative Student)
Councilman Jonathan Kornreich
Public Citizen of the Year Award
Our very own Dr. Carol Carter is the recipient of the Public Citizen of the Year Award for the 2020 NASW – NYS Social Work Awards. We could not be more proud of all her hard work and dedication. She is always willing to rise to any challenge and we all know this year has certainly been challenging in so many ways. Yet she has met those challenges with grace and innovation, determined to continue to serve and meet the needs of our community in the best, safest ways possible.
Dr. Carter was nominated for this award by Silas Kelly. Silas is very involved in the Mental Health/Social Work community. Some of his credentials are as follows: CEO/Founder/Creative Consultant of Kelsunn a Communications, Inc., Producer/Host of the Award-Winning “Kelsunn-on-the-Air” Social Work Podcast, Member, National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Thank you so much Silas for this nomination! It is truly appreciated!!
Suffolk County Youth Awards
We are proud of Justin Johnson who received the “Superior Positive Attitude” at the Suffolk County Youth Awards. Justin was an awesome employee at Sunshine this summer. Justin congratulated by County Executive Steve Bellone.
Moving Up and Recognition Ceremony
Supervisor Ed Romaine, Assemblyman Steve Englebright, Legislator Kate Browning, Councilwoman Valerie Cartright present awards and recognition to Sunshine Students and Improvement. Project Supports at our Moving Up and Recognition Ceremony on June 9th, 2017.
Left Picture – Assemblyman Steve Englebright, Longwood Rep Susan Schoen, Sachem Rep Dr. Steve Hartman, Legislator Kate Browning congratulate the SAEC Students.
Right Picture – Supporters pictured Left to Right: John Guadagano (IBEU #25), Charlie Di Stefano (Plumbers #200), Town Clerk Donna Lent, Councilwoman Valerie Cartright, Supervisor Ed Romaine, Assemblyman Steve Englebright, Dr. Carol Carter, Board Members: Kathy Iannotta, Bob Cohen, Rich Bylott, Elizabeth Kotseas DeLucia & Nancy Campo, Carol Davis-Wiebelt Mount Sinai Congregational Church and Jeannie DeMaio Long Island Community Foundation.
PSEG Long Island Woman’s Network – “Following Your Passion”
Dr. Carol Carter was a panelist speaking on the topic of “Following Your Passion” for PSEG Long Island Woman’s Network along with Diana Tjarden from Full Circle Physical Therapy, Breast Cancer Recovery Program. Thank you to Nancy Campo for recommending Sunshine to be part of this wonderful event!
Awards & Recognitions: Memberships
National Association of Counties
Carol Carter, CEO & Co-Founder, and Nancy Forestiero, Mental Health Director, were awarded a certificate for Outstanding Contribution to the National Association of Counties for their continued dedication to providing a substance abuse and violence prevention program to the youth in the Riverhead Correctional Facility as members of the Sheriff Department’s Re-Entry Task Force.
Pictured L to R: Butch Langhorn (Assistant to the Sheriff, Dr. Carol Carter, Sheriff Vincent DeMarco, Nancy Forestiero)
Crossroads Counseling Center, Inc.
Dr. Carol Carter honored as “Woman of the Year” By Crossroads Counseling Center, Inc., at Villa Lombardi’s
Suffolk County Hall of Fame
2008 Dr. Carter was entered into the “Woman Hall of Fame” from Suffolk County for her dedication to substance abuse and violence prevention
Filming for a Special on 20/20 & News 12
Pictured L to R: Dr Robert Goldman, Victoria Ruvolo, Sheriff Vincent DeMarco, Dr. Carol Carter
NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services
Carol was chosen as Credentialed Prevention Professional of the Year through the NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services.
Pictured here with Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner
No Room for Vengeance
Victoria Ruvolo – No Room for Vengeance with co-author Dr. Robert Goldman
Suffolk County Woman’s Hall of Fame
Nominated by her daughter Holly, Carol was inducted into the Suffolk County Woman’s Hall of Fame, Oct. 2008, for her dedication to children and families in SC.
Additional Awards — Dr. Carol Carter & Sunshine Have Received
[March 2019] Received the Town of Brookhaven “Woman’s Award for the field of Community Service”
[March 2019] Long Island Community Foundation – featured as an “Extraordinary nonprofit female leader” in honor of Women’s History Month
[March 2014] Chosen as “Men & Women of the Year” by Times Beacon Record Newspapers
[May 2012] Sunshine/Dr. Carter became and approved “Training and Education Provider” through OASAS—NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services
[2012] Dr. Carter chosen as “Woman of the Year” by Crossroads Counseling Center
[2010] Prevention Not Suspension program (now SAEC) recognized as a Model Program through the National Dropout Prevention Network
[March 2009] Dr. Carter was a guest on Empowered Voices Channel 20
[2008] Dr. Carter received the NYS OASAS “Credentialed Prevention Professional of the Year” award
[2008] Dr. Carter was a Suffolk County “Woman’s Hall of Fame” recipient
[July 2008] Highlighted as one of Long Island Press’s Fortune 52 –Long Island Women who have made a significant, unique and lasting contribution to their communities and workplace
[July 2008] Highlighted as one of Long Island Press’s Fortune 52 – “Long Island Women who have made a significant, unique and lasting contribution to their communities and workplace”
[2005] Inducted into the Long Island “Volunteer’s Hall of Fame”
[2004] Wind Beneath My Wings Angel Award—New Perspectives Counseling
[1996] Sunshine staff and teens were chosen as Town of Brookhaven “Volunteer of the Year”