About Sunny Street Outreach
Who Are We?
We are a family ran, grass roots mutual aid movement that focuses on community, hospitality, and compassion.
What Do We Do?
We create and cook restaurant quality meals to the houseless and underserved communities in Oceanside, CA.
We get creative about how we can address social issues and create safe, inclusive spaces for all Oside residents.
Where Are We Headed?
We are currently working on fundraising for our mobile cafe trailer which will serve the Oceanside community with coffee and breakfast on the go. We will also provide free food hours for the houseless and underserved communities so we can feed those in need every day.
Meet Our Founder
Sunny Soto-Briscoe (she/they)
Sunny Soto-Briscoe, a visionary leader and a dedicated activist was born & raised on their ancestral lands of the Juaneno Luiseno band of mission Indians in Oceanside, CA. Sunny is deeply rooted in her heritage and community. Coming from a background of hardworking field laborers and passionate activists, Sunny's upbringing instilled in her a sense of resilience and perseverance. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, including legal hurdles in her youth, Sunny remained determined to carve out a better future for herself.
Driven by a love for food and a desire to make a positive impact, Sunny forged a path in the restaurant industry, leveraging her sales skills and culinary passion to create delicious meaningful cuisine. Throughout her journey she has championed social justice causes. She has advocated for those facing food insecurity, those facing employment barriers due to criminal records, and all who feel they need a voice. She has a deep understanding of the issues that her community faces and has first-hand experience with these same issues.
Sunny's story is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to creating a better world for herself and her community.
how we work
Sunny Street Outreach: Community-Driven, Community-Focused
Sunny Street Outreach: Community-Driven, Community-Focused
Sunny Street Outreach: Community-Driven, Community-Focused
At Sunny Street Outreach, our approach is rooted in a deep commitment to the community we
serve. Our work is powered entirely by the support and generosity of local donors and
volunteers, making us a truly community-driven organization.
1) 100% Community-Funded
Sunny Street Outreach: Community-Driven, Community-Focused
Sunny Street Outreach: Community-Driven, Community-Focused
We operate solely through donations from individuals and organizations within our community.
This model allows us to stay grounded in our mission and directly accountable to those we serve,
ensuring that every resource goes where it’s needed most.
2) Building Lasting Relationships
Sunny Street Outreach: Community-Driven, Community-Focused
2) Building Lasting Relationships
Unlike traditional service providers, we prioritize building genuine, long-term relationships with
the people we assist. We engage with our neighbors directly, understanding their needs through
personal interaction rather than assumptions or surveys. This relational approach helps us offer
tailored support that truly addresses their unique circumstances.
3) Filling Service Gaps
5) Empathy Through Lived Experience
2) Building Lasting Relationships
We identify and address gaps left by other resources, stepping in where additional support is
needed. By focusing on these underserved areas, we ensure that no one is left behind and that all
community members have access to the help they require.
4) Non-Judgmental and Inclusive
5) Empathy Through Lived Experience
5) Empathy Through Lived Experience
Our approach is inclusive and non-judgmental. We respect and value each individual’s unique
journey, regardless of their relationship with faith, sobriety, or any other personal aspect. Our
staff and volunteers bring lived experiences to their roles, fostering empathy and understanding.
5) Empathy Through Lived Experience
5) Empathy Through Lived Experience
5) Empathy Through Lived Experience
Our team is composed of individuals who understand the challenges faced by our community
members from personal experience. This shared perspective enables us to offer compassionate
support and practical solutions grounded in real-life understanding.
6) Community-Driven Solutions
6) Community-Driven Solutions
6) Community-Driven Solutions
We believe that the best solutions come from within the community itself. By collaborating with
those we serve, we ensure our efforts are aligned with their needs and aspirations, making our
impact more meaningful and effective.
At Sunny Street Outreach, every action is guided by our commitment to being a genuine,
responsive, and empathetic resource for our community. We are proud to be a part of this vibrant
network of support, driven by the people we serve and the generous community that stands
behind us.
WHERE WE ARE HEADED: Expanding Our Services and Impact
1) Mobile Kitchen Café
3) Sustaining and Expanding Our Free Food Programs
2) Work Training Programs
Our next major initiative is to build and deploy a mobile kitchen café. This will allow us to serve
hot meals to the houseless community every day, rather than just weekly. The mobile kitchen
will also facilitate our work training programs, providing essential skills in culinary arts and
barista work to queer youth and individuals with challenges such as criminal records.
2) Work Training Programs
3) Sustaining and Expanding Our Free Food Programs
2) Work Training Programs
We aim to create robust work training programs through our mobile kitchen café. By offering
hands-on experience with commercial kitchen equipment and food service, we will help
individuals gain skills that lead to entry-level positions in the restaurant industry. This initiative
is designed to provide job opportunities and overcome barriers to employment.
3) Sustaining and Expanding Our Free Food Programs
3) Sustaining and Expanding Our Free Food Programs
3) Sustaining and Expanding Our Free Food Programs
With our new catering services, we will generate additional funds to sustain and expand our free
meal programs. Our goal is to ensure consistent, high-quality meal distribution and increase our
capacity to serve more individuals in need.
4) Strengthening Community Partnerships
4) Strengthening Community Partnerships
3) Sustaining and Expanding Our Free Food Programs
We will continue to build on our partnerships with local organizations and businesses. By
fostering these relationships, we aim to enhance community support, increase our impact, and
collaborate on new initiatives that address pressing needs.
5) Advocacy and Empowerment
4) Strengthening Community Partnerships
5) Advocacy and Empowerment
We will persist in our advocacy efforts, working to create safer, more inclusive spaces and
policies that benefit the houseless community and marginalized groups. Our mission is to
empower those we serve and amplify their voices in broader community conversations.
Sunny Street Outreach is committed to growing our services and impact through innovative
programs and deepened community engagement. Together, we will continue to support and
uplift our neighbors, fostering a more inclusive and compassionate society.
History of Our Nonprofit: A Journey of Community & passion
2016: A Purpose is Born
2021: Building Community Connections
2020: Expanding Our Impact
Sunny Street Outreach was founded in 2016 following a profound personal loss. Our founder’s
family, native Luiseno Indians, lost the home built by her grandfather in the Eastside
neighborhood. This event marked a turning point, inspiring our founder to use her culinary skills
to create a free meal program for the houseless community. The initial goal was to challenge
perceptions of homelessness and bridge resource gaps by providing chef-prepared meals directly
where people slept.
2020: Expanding Our Impact
2021: Building Community Connections
2020: Expanding Our Impact
When the COVID-19 pandemic led to layoffs from hospitality jobs, our focus shifted entirely to
the nonprofit. This transition allowed us to expand our efforts, delivering weekly meals to the
houseless community in Oceanside, CA. During the pandemic, we prepared and distributed over
20,000 meals across San Diego County and advocated for the establishment of a safe lot in
Oceanside through a petition.
2021: Building Community Connections
2021: Building Community Connections
2021: Building Community Connections
In 2021, we launched Mutual Aid Markets to connect grassroots organizations and small
businesses. These markets supported local enterprises and raised funds to sustain our free food
programs. This year also marked our collaboration with the North County LGBTQ Resource
Center, where we served as the entertainment director for major events and became involved in
mentoring youth, demonstrating that queer individuals can thrive as community leaders and
businesspeople.
2022: Expanding Our Reach
2023: Achieving 501(c)(3) Status and Planning for Growth
2021: Building Community Connections
Our partnership with the North County LGBTQ Resource Center continued to grow, with our
involvement in curating entertainment for large festivals and supporting community events. This
collaboration further established us as a beacon of queer leadership and local support.
2023: Achieving 501(c)(3) Status and Planning for Growth
2023: Achieving 501(c)(3) Status and Planning for Growth
2023: Achieving 501(c)(3) Status and Planning for Growth
With the attainment of our 501(c)(3) status, we began to plan the expansion of our nonprofit. Our
goals include offering catering services to sustain our funding and developing a mobile kitchen
café. This café will not only provide daily hot meals to the houseless but also serve as a training
ground for queer youth and individuals facing employment barriers, equipping them with
valuable culinary and barista skills.
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