Sun Serve Counseling
Recognizing that the entire LGBTQ community has the right to quality care, our mission is to provide critical life assistance and professional mental health services with an emphasis on economically disadvantaged, marginalized youth, and senior adults in the greater South Florida metropolitan area.
Here in Broward County, there are now more Gay and Lesbian residents than in any other part of the Nation. In this gay metropolis, there are precious few social service agencies that meet the unique needs of this community. Sunshine Social Services, Inc. (SunServe) was born in the melding of community need for quality social services, the generosity of the Sunshine Cathedral, and a team of dedicated community volunteers.
SunServe is the first LGBTQ social service agency in South Florida. In February 2002, SunServe set out to build and operate the World’s first Senior Day Care Center designed to meet the needs of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. The Noble A. McArtor Senior Day Care Center is now home away from home to more than 30 seniors who enjoy a host of activities throughout the week, allowing their caregivers and families the much needed respite they longed for.
In the following year, SunServe, under the experienced leadership of Dr. James Lopresti, formed the Counseling Program.!
Under the experienced leadership of SunServe’s founder, Dr. James Lopresti, the agency formed the Counseling Program in 2003. With a shoestring budget and a collective team of 40 community therapists, this program has grown into a full range of out-patient mental health services including individual, couples, family, youth, and group therapy.
SunServe began hosting a youth group for LGBTQ youth in 2004 that has blossomed into the agency’s largest department catering to the needs of hundreds of youth throughout the county. In 2013, SunServe opened the HIV/AIDS Housing Case Management (HOPWA) program and Project AIDS Care Medicaid Waiver program. In 2014, SunServe opened the Transgender Services Department linking all clients to culturally relevant medical care and critical assistance, and in 2015, SunServe began the Senior Care Management program offering in-home case management to LGBTQ seniors. In 2017, SunServe launched a Women’s Services Department to improve the well-being of all LBT women through dedicated health and wellness services, connection to community resources, social engagement, and networking.