SUNSHINE GOSPEL MINISTRIES: SHINING LIGHT ON CHICAGO’S SOUTH SIDE

June 17, 2026

Chicago’s South Side is home to a wide range of social service organizations, but few have demonstrated the longevity and enduring community impact of Sunshine Gospel Ministries (SGM).

Founded in 1905, SGM has evolved significantly over its more than century-long history. The organization began as a mission of Moody Church in Chicago, providing support to single mothers and later assisting newly arrived immigrants as they established themselves in the city.

More than a decade after its founding, the organization was renamed Sunshine Gospel Ministries and redirected its efforts toward serving African Americans migrating from the rural South to Chicago during the Great Migration. Many of the families supported by SGM lived in the Cabrini-Green community, where the organization played a vital role in addressing social and economic challenges while fostering opportunity and stability.

“With the demolition of Cabrini-Green public housing, SGM relocated to the Woodlawn neighborhood. This move coincided with national discussions on urban redevelopment and gentrification. SGM refocused its mission to address the unique challenges of its new community, emphasizing economic development, youth engagement, and fostering racial reconciliation. The ministry’s adaptability during this period reflected a broader trend of urban ministries evolving to meet changing community dynamics, with intentionality on seeking urban renewal and shalom in the city.” (SGM website)
Throughout its more than 120-year history, SGM has continued to serve the community and dedicate itself to the residents and that is why it has embarked on a new state-of-the-art facility.

Presently housed in Woodlawn on east 61st Street, SGM is moving to the Washington Park neighborhood at 60th and King Drive to the new Sunshine Community Center. CCLF provided a pre-development loan of $586,250 to help SGM prepare to take on a $36.9 million dollar development project where a 3-story, 77,050 sq. ft. building will house their entrepreneurship training and support program, a public retail café, recording studio, visual graphic arts space, small business popup markets, fitness center, dance studio, event space, expanded youth and senior programming, office rental space, 2-basketball court size gyms with seating, and lounge areas.

With a current staff of 14, SGM offers a full array of programming for those as young as preschool to seniors.

As an organization whose first concern is community, SGM asked local residents what they wanted to see in the new building. “We really listened to the community to see if we can encompass as much as they want,” explains Kimberly Salley, Executive Director, Sunshine Gospel Ministries. Once the new building opens there will be a new assortment of programs and engaging activities such as hosting AAU basketball tournaments, cheer competitions, and volleyball tournaments.

“These are projects that excite CCLF,” states Lycrecia Parks, Chief Risk Officer and VP of Portfolio Management, CCLF. “We are in the business of developing communities that have seen disinvestment. Sunshine Gospel Ministries is an investment that we can promote with pride.”