INTRODUCTION
The Sunshine 411 Foundation is a registered 501(C)3 not for profit organization founded in 2014. Sunshine 411 mission's is to introduce South Florida students to a rural atmosphere that many do not have opportunity to experience. To accomplish this, we have in development the Sunshine 411 Retreat and Education Center (SREC) located in Hendry County, just 90 minutes from Dada, Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
WHY "SUNSHINE411"?
Sunshine has many meanings, most important, it represents a source of cheer and happiness vital to our lives. And, of course we live in the "Sunshine State"! 411 - Information is knowledge gained through study, communication, research and instruction…..information is always changing and always evolving.
HISTORY
Sunshine411 was conceived by brothers Kevin and Mike Baqai with the interest in developing a retreat where children and family can enjoy the benefits of nature and recreational activities.
Kevin, who grows fruit trees and raises farm animals as a hobby was surprised that so many friends of his children’s friends had never been exposed to these things. This fueled his desire to create Sunshine411 to help children understand the basics of where our food and other important necessities come from. Mike’s children are very active in recreational sports. While traveling to other cities, Mike was impressed with some of the youth centers he saw in other and felt like our community could benefit from such a facility where students and their families can enjoy the outdoors. This is how we started on the path to develop what is now the Sunshine 411 Recreation and Education Center (SREC). At it's core, Sunshine411, is both a destination and philosophy all aimed at celebrating diversity of all kinds, and to give children the opportunity to play and learn in a truly open multi-cultural environment.
To date, Sunshine 411 has partnered with the following organizations to further our mission and core values:
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
Islamic Center of Greater Miami-Masjid Miami Gardens
Friends of Humanity, Inc
Urban League of Broward County
The City of Sunrise
OPERATIONS
The Sunshine 411 Foundation is a registered 501(C)3 not for profit organization founded in 2014. The organization has the funding for all phases of the development of the property Ongoing programs and operations will be primarily funded through grants and donations. All programs will be offered for free for participants, however donations will be accepted. As we are committed to having a positive economic impact we will not be seeking in-kind donations from local farmers, producers, or businesses. We are also committed to hiring and making purchases locally. Since we have begun working on this project in October, our economic impact has been over $400,000 to the local community as members of our board have also decided to purchase additional property for commercial usage that is not attached to this project.
Sunshine 411 is managed by Board of Directors and a Board of Trustees. Our Board of Trustees, Board of Director’s, Volunteer Advisors and Paid Consultants include non-profit and corporate management, land management, agriculture, equine management, history, real estate, rural construction, naturalists, environmental issues, government affairs, architectural design, and entrepreneurship professionals:
Key Personal who have been involved in the daily operations or have offered valuable knowledge include: (in alphabetical order):
Hal Axler (Board Member) Non-profit consultant
Jon Axler, (Volunteer Consultant) Historian, Stranahan House Museum
Kevin Baqai, (Board of Trustees) Director Rola Games, Plaza Sunrise Management
Mike Baqai, (Board of Trustees) President Rola Games
Rocio Chacon, (Board Member) Independent Real Estate Agent
Zaniab Jafri, (Board Member) Independent Real Estate Agent
Mohammed Shoyeb Mansuri, (Board Member) Design and Construction Manager, Miami-Dade County
Sheldon McCartney, (Volunteer Consultant), Founder Project Stable Foundation
Khalid Mirza (Board Member) Palmetto Subacute Care Center, Miami
Fred Segal (Volunteer Consultant) President, Broward Farm Bureau
Asad Siddiqui, (Paid Consultant) Architectural Design Consultant, All State Engineering and Testing Consultants
Scott Weinstein, (Paid Consultant) L.R.I. Disaster Recovery Services Inc
LONG TERM EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING GOALS
As we develop our educational components, we are collaborating with educators, agriculture, environmental, and horticulture professionals, consultants, and community leaders. STEAM components and Program Based Learning will be utilized to create a well-rounded enjoyable age-appropriate educational experience.