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Chris Anderson graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2019 with a degree in political science and was eager to pursue a career path in the federal government. However, he quickly found that job hunting was harder for him than for his peers—without the opportunity to build his skill set, he was constantly passed over for positions.
Ask Myles if he likes working at Walgreens, and his response is enthusiastic: “Well, yeah! I do!” It’s his very first job. “I am proud!” he says, beaming.
Richmond Family Magazine and SOAR365 have launched a new collaborative series, “Stories from PARK365,” celebrating the joy, connection, and inclusivity found at one of Richmond’s most beloved community spaces. PARK365, designed for individuals of all ages and abilities, offers a vibrant, accessible environment where families come together to play, grow, and create lasting memories. This series invites community members to share their personal experiences at PARK365, highlighting the park’s impact on fostering friendships and community bonds. Selected stories will be featured on RichmondFamilyMagazine.com, aiming to inspire others and showcase the importance of inclusive play spaces.
At SOAR365, volunteers are the heartbeat of our mission. Whether they’re planting flowers, guiding event guests, reading to children, or simply sharing a smile, their impact is immeasurable. That’s why we’re so excited to celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week, happening April 20–26, 2025!
Sometimes the scariest things in life are the unknown. For Lea Whitehurst-Gibson and her husband, Monty, this became their reality when they adopted Samaj four years ago.
![Discussing Disability Podcast – April 2025 [AUDIO]](https://soar365.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Logan-Podcast-Cover-Image.png)
For our April 2025 episode, we talked with Logan Kleene – a participant in SOAR365’s Adult Day Support program at Staples Mill – and his mother, Lynda Kleene! The Kleene family began its relationship with SOAR365 about a year ago and were happy to share their insight into what it’s like to find support for a loved one with a disability.
SOAR365 is partnering with the Virginia Department of Health Office of Family Health Services, Injury and Violence Prevention Program (VDH IVPP) and Blue Octopus Consulting on the Inclusive Play and Prevention Initiative Collaborative, a statewide project focused on preventing sexual abuse of youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in social, sports, and recreation settings.
Medically skilled volunteers make an incredibly important contribution to our Adult Day Support program – and in return the students are learning and growing in their profession. It’s a win-win partnership! SOAR365 has been lucky to work with skilled volunteers from not one, but four local academic institutions.
One of the many barriers to employment is safe, reliable transportation. Thankfully, our Employment Services program can help! The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and KOVAR recently awarded funding to SOAR365 for four accessible, five-passenger vans with ramps.
SOAR365 is a member of SourceAmerica’s AbilityOne Program, a federal initiative that helps people with disabilities find jobs. This program doesn’t just create employment opportunities—it also benefits the U.S. military.
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