About Sunny Oaks
Our history, mission, and the values that guide everything we do.
Our history
Sunny Oaks' journey began in the early 1970s by Doris Brown. Who estabilshed its first residential homes in Salem, Oregon to serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization was named for the surrounding oak tress in the Sunnyside neighborhood in honor of the local community.
In 1979 Sunny Oaks incorporated as a nonprofit and dedicated itself to expanding throughout the 80s and 90s under the leadership of Lee Parker. Sunny Oaks added several homes and services to meet the growing community needs.
In 1992, leadership transitioned to Vickie Harbaugh, whose tenure was marked by continued growth and organizational refinement of it's vision and values.
Following Vickie's passing in 2013 Brian Varley became the Executive Director, overseeing additional program expansion, the development of the supported living services department and the organization's adaptation to numerous state regulatory changes.
Since 2021 Jared Weekly has operated as Executive Director, guiding Sunny Oaks in it's current and future chapters while building on the strong foundations of adaptability, advocacy, and person centered care.
Mission statement
Sunny Oaks, Inc. (SOI) is a values-based community provider of high quality, person-centered, positive supports that include residential and supported living services for eligible adult persons experiencing developmental disability in both Marion and Polk counties.
SOI supports opportunities for all customers to have “exercised authority and responsibility” over one’s “life path” resulting in new life skills, meaningful relationships, fulfillment of expanded dreams and goals, independence and interdependence, and individually defined happiness and success.
Our vision
Sunny Oaks envisions a world where SOI is a provider of choice and where people are highly regarded, able to access more than adequate resources, have control over one’s own life path, and are supported by well-compensated and well-trained, proactive, person-centered staff.
Core values
Eight foundational values guide every interaction and decision at Sunny Oaks.
Access
We believe in access to opportunities and options. We support people in using technology, having access to a variety of living and employment options, and being part of community events.
Choices
We recognize each person’s right and need to make choices about their lives, including dignity of risk. We will support each other in identifying, expressing, and honoring choices.
Communication
We believe communication is essential. It should be assertive, consistent, founded in mutual respect and gracious honesty. “Good, Useful, and True” sets our standard.
Dreams
We recognize the importance for all people to dream. We help identify dreams without limitations and strive to achieve goals through compassion and removing barriers.
Freedom
We believe people have the right to quiet contemplation, down time, and the freedom to come and go. We strive to safely provide preferred moments of freedom.
Happiness
We acknowledge the right of every person to actualize personal happiness — both feel-good and values-based happiness that comes from fulfilling a larger purpose.
Relationships
We believe that relationships between people and the community are a basic element of humanity. We support meaningful relationships as defined by each person.
Safer environment
We strive to provide an environment that is comfortable, safe, accessible, and free of hazards while placing the highest regard on each person’s interests and tastes.