Success Stories – Supported Employment

Success Stories – Supported Employment

Supported Employment Lands Troy His Dream Job

Supported Employment Lands Troy His Dream Job

Troy Carter is hard-pressed to choose a favorite: Obi-Wan Kenobi or Yoda? Rock or hip-hop? Marvel or DC? Photography or videography?

Luckily, on the last count, he doesn’t have to choose. His new job at VCU’s Rehabilitation Research and Training Center allows him to apply his talents to both. How did Troy find such a great fit?

Capable Campaign: Dylan Feels At Home

Capable Campaign: Dylan Feels At Home

The Next Move Program launched the Capable Portrait Campaign in 2017 with the mission to showcase diverse perspectives on life in our community, provide adult role models for our youth and demonstrate the power of inclusion. Every year, models are nominated and selected to be featured at a portrait exhibition and their powerful stories are proudly shared with the community on social media.

Finding the Right Fit for Asia

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.

SOAR365 Supported Employment Inspires DeCarlos to Dream Big

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 Iffad

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 Tony

Meet Tony

TWISTED TACO WELCOMES TONYTony at Twisted Taco.jpgThe Twisted Taco at VCU is preparing to welcome a new employee! Tony has been a participant in SOAR365’s Supported Employment program since before the pandemic, and he has been patiently waiting for his chance to shine. Tony’s longstanding interest in kitchen work kept him focused as he and Leo Castro, his...

Meet DeAngelo

Meet DeAngelo

At SOAR365, it’s important to us that our Supported Employment participants with disabilities not only find work, but that they find the right job for them. Sometimes the journey is a winding one. When DeAngelo first came to Supported Employment, he had previous experience doing laundry — so a job cleaning bedding and other materials at the Richmond SPCA...

Meet Dori

Meet Dori

Chris Martin, Director of Employment Services, established SOAR365’s partnership with Underground Kitchen and its non-profit arm, UGK Community First. To date, UGK Community First has delivered over 175,000 healthy, nutritious meals to food insecure communities in the Richmond metropolitan area while prioritizing disability employment. SOAR365 is happy to...

Meet Jeff

Meet Jeff

A few years ago, Jeff was working at a local grocery store, and while it was a good environment, Jeff was not thriving. In fact, the job seemed to be perpetuating some of the behaviors associated with his autism. When the 29-year-old was referred to SOAR365’s Employment Services to help acquire career skills and find the right job in the community, he met...

You are now exiting SOAR365’s website.

You’ll be redirected to the following website to make a donation to SOAR365.

Thank you for your generosity!

You are now exiting SOAR365’s website.

You’ll be redirected to the following website to purchase supplies for SOAR365.

Thank you for your generosity!

You are now exiting SOAR365's website.

You'll be redirected to the website to search and apply for jobs with SOAR365.

Thanks for visiting!