Our Volunteers

Thomas wants people to know that he loves SOAR365. As a member of the Next Generation Council (NGC), he participates in NGC’s efforts to support SOAR365 through leadership development, service projects, engagement, and fundraising. Thomas was born with Cerebral Palsy, a disability that affects a person’s movement, posture, and speech at different levels....

Lauren Zuk Helps Children and Parents Build on Strengths, Celebrate Success! California native Lauren Zuk has lived in Richmond for almost 15 years, beginning as a student at the University of Richmond where her studies were centered on education and English.  When Lauren began her career as a secondary English teacher, she believed that would be her...

Students enrolled in South University’s Richmond Physician Assistant Program look forward to becoming providers of high-quality, cost-efficient health care, making a positive impact practicing the art and science of medicine, and collaborating with physicians.  On their journey toward graduation, students have opportunities to engage with, and support, the...

The NGC works to support SOAR365’s mission of providing life-fulfilling opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Our members come from diverse backgrounds, and we all have our own reasons for joining the NGC. Mine is because I love the mission of the organization, and I wanted to help make an impact in the community where I live and work. Through...

Josias Collier is a sophomore biology major at the University of Richmond, where he is working on a pre-medical school track.  He volunteers at SOAR365 through U of R's Bonner Scholars Program, which supports civic engagement by placing students in local organizations that focus on issues that each student feels most passionate about. “For me, it was health...

Before joining SOAR365, Ashley Christian cultivated a diverse background that will help her serve our organization as the incoming Volunteer Engagement Coordinator. She began her career in the corporate world, gaining valuable operations experience at a banking institution. Ashley later joined a small B2B company, where she gained a unique perspective on...

As the Chief Behavioral Officer for Feedback, a Richmond-based consumer research firm, Dean Browell is fascinated with how people make decisions.  He clearly recalls why he decided to become a volunteer with SOAR365 and the Next Generation Council (NGC).  “I was originally inspired to get involved with SOAR365 watching the journey of a family close to me...

Thalhimer, the commercial real estate company, selected SOAR365 as its partner for the third quarter of 2023 through its Thalhimer Gives program, a company-wide initiative focused on community involvement and charitable giving.   The first activity in this collaboration brought Thalhimer volunteers to Camp Baker for the weekly talent show.  ...

How did you hear about SOAR365’s Next Generation Council (NGC)?      I heard about SOAR365 because my cousin would go to Camp Baker every summer.  Not only did he absolutely love Camp Baker, but his parents were appreciative of the services offered by SOAR365! After volunteering at Camp for a few years, the volunteer coordinator told me about NGC. I thought...