About Us — Sunnyside 5

Providing interim housing for 14 unhoused college students in South Central Los Angeles

why we exist?

South LA has the highest “hardship” levels in LA County, and residents experience disproportionately high unemployment, poverty, high school dropout, and poor health outcomes compared to the rest of LA County. Sunnyside Church is located in the Westmont area of South LA, also referred to as “Death Alley” because it has the highest homicide rate in LA County. Our community is also considered a “high intensity drug trafficking area”, contributing to youth involvement with drugs and gangs, and has a high rate of foster care entry due to parental drug use and illegal activity.

In this traumatic environment, youth face both immediate threats and complex barriers to long-term success. A lack of family stability, role models, and mentors contributes to gaps in personal and social development and can leave youth feeling hopeless. As a result, South LA has a high concentration of “disconnected” youth – those neither in school nor working during ages 16-24.

our solution

With the help from Stories from the Frontline and funding from Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly MiTchell’s office, 15 container homes were purchased and installed on-site at Sunnyside Baptist Church, the birthplace of Sunnyside 5 Student Housing Project.

We provide transitional housing for young adults ages 18-30 who are experiencing homelessness and who are currently enrolled in college or pursuing a trade. Sunnyside 5 is a faith-inspired non-profit project that was initiated to serve young people experiencing homelessness who need supportive transitional housing.  Students and those pursuing a trade will find it far more difficult to succeed in their chosen career or educational path if they are simultaneously struggling to overcome the challenges of experiencing homelessness.

Sunnyside 5 provides mental health resources, three meals a day, and housing. The program incorporates mentorship and case management by staff that is community based and trained in social-emotional development. Residents will build life skills, confidence, and a positive life plan as they work toward their career or educational goals, and their transition to permanent housing.

We are bringing tangible resources and a fresh perspective to combat homelessness and cyclical poverty among young adults in South LA. Our program will provide much-needed housing for unhoused young adults and serve as a springboard for longer-term advancement and personal transformation

Meet the Team

Dr. DK Redmond

Managing Director
Dr. DK’s heart has always been for the community and his goal continues to be to create a central location where all resources and needs of the community are met. Dr. DK is also Executive Director of Heart and Soul Center which is on the same campus of Sunnyside 5. Heart and Soul offers a state of the art multi-media center and equipment which provides education, training, internships and job placements for the community. With over 35 years in multimedia, Heart and Soul continues to create a bridge between our inner cities and connecting them with future opportunities.
Dominique Milton, CMP

Operations Director
Dominique serves as a community liaison and is also a local cultural broker. She advocates for the youth and other individuals in the community. She has over 10 years’ experience in creating programming for the community and building meaningful relationships to ensure needs are heard and met.
Daynette Steward

Case Manager
Daynette is an educational leader whose life’s purpose is to help others achieve their highest potential through access and inclusion. She’s the Founder/Owner of Stew’s Access: Pathways to Success. Stew’s Access provides students and families with information and resources to navigate through the college application and selection process. Daynette’s extensive research and assistance with students on the ground level allowed for more discovery into the severe changes in education, teaching and classroom styles. She has over 20 years experience working with colleges and community organizations to develop intentional programming in helping youth and young adults achieve their educational and career goals. This work led her to a career change in addressing the challenges of closing the equity and achievement gaps of Black students lacking access to information and resources for a successful college-career path. Daynette finds joy in uplifting youth and young adults through access of resources, and hope to inspire the lives of the Sunnyside 5 community.