SOAR365’s Pediatric Therapy program worked with the Haas family’s daughter, Betsy.
Now, nearly two decades later, the Betsy Haas Fund for Children is gifting Summer Camp scholarships to two young women.
Success Stories
Success Stories
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Finding the Right Fit for Asia
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to helping people succeed. Each person you meet in life has it within themselves to thrive when put in the right situation, no matter their abilities.
That sentiment holds true for Asia, a participant in SOAR365’s Supported Employment program, who recently went through a situational assessment to help find her place to thrive.
Meet James
James started training for his job in Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance at an early age, thanks to his dad’s landscaping business. “I’ve been cutting grass since I was five,” he says proudly.
Even so, it can be hard for people with disabilities, like James, to find a supportive work environment.
Capable Campaign: Brandon Shows Us There’s Always a Way
The Next Move Program’s Capable Portrait Campaign is back for an eighth year! The exhibit opening will be held on June 20 at The Virginia Home.
Brandon is the first of three models from SOAR365 who are being featured in this year’s campaign.
Weldon’s Journey at SOAR365 Comes Full Circle
Weldon Hall is a man of many talents. His first experience working for SOAR365 was in facilities maintenance at Camp Baker. He enjoyed the job but left after two-and-a-half years to start his own business. “One guy in a truck doing home renovations and remodels,” he explains with a smile.
While the work let him use a wide range of skills, something was missing.
SOAR365 Supported Employment Inspires DeCarlos to Dream Big
DeCarlos Savage never dreamed he’d be an intern on the floor of the Virginia General Assembly. Seeing legislators debate political issues in real life was surreal. It was nothing like watching on TV.
“I was in a state of shock during this whole thing,” says DeCarlos. “I was like, ‘Wow!’”
Meet Antonio
One of Antonio’s favorite places to be is in the kitchen. His face lights up talking about food. “I like to cook shrimp, fried rice, chicken alfredo, steak,” he says. Who taught him to cook? “I taught myself to cook!” he says proudly, with a laugh.
He does give some credit to the cooking skills he learned after school in SOAR365’s Youth Services. Program participants use the kitchen for lessons in making everything from kimchi to cakes.
SOAR365 Beautifies Chesterfield County With Late-Night Landscaping
The Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance team at SOAR365 is known for working hard and doing great work. From mowing to trash removal to demolition, this award-winning group has made an impact throughout the Richmond area.
But sometimes, their stellar work takes place when no one is watching.
Meet Iffad
When Iffad first came to SOAR365 Supported Employment in December, he wouldn’t say a word. He would only communicate through his father. And he wouldn’t even make eye contact. Things didn’t look promising.
Luckily, Iffad was paired with Leeanne Jones, one of our knowledgeable and encouraging employment specialists.
Meet Nafeesah
Nafeesah beams as she wears a t-shirt with pastel colors and cheerful bubble letters. The message? “Today is not the day.” That mix of sweet and sassy is well known to her family, friends and staff at SOAR365. But that wasn’t always the case.