At SOAR365, people with disabilities aren’t just employees, they’re valued team members, leaders, and contributors. The organization has worked since 1954 to create an environment where employees with disabilities can thrive.

In fact, SOAR365’s retention rate for employees with disabilities is higher than many industry averages. And that’s not by accident. It comes from intentional hiring practices, a supportive culture, and programs designed to help everyone succeed.

The Numbers Speak for Themselves

SOAR365 currently employs more than 150 people with disabilities, and that number is growing fast. Forecasts show that the organization could employ 220 or more employees with disabilities by 2029.

Even more impressive than the growth is how often those employees choose to stay at SOAR365. A recent report shows:

• 27% of employees with disabilities have worked at SOAR365 for over 10 years.
• Another 36% have been there between 5 and 10 years.
• And 73% have stayed more than 1 year.

These numbers show just how loyal SOAR365’s employees with disabilities are. In many industries — especially those with physically demanding work — turnover rates can be very high. National studies show that employees with disabilities often have equal or better retention than their peers when employers are supportive. SOAR365’s numbers back this up.

Now a member of the SOAR365 family for more than 45 years, Patricia “PT” Tomlinson captures that commitment simply: “Each day is a new day. While working here, I’m going to make a difference in somebody’s life.”

Why Retention Matters

Keeping good employees saves money and strengthens the team.

For SOAR365, retaining employees with disabilities means the organization is living its mission to create life-fulfilling opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

SOAR365 Director of Human Resources Angela Nicholas connects retention directly to quality and stability: “High retention really does give us the ability to provide consistent, high-quality services.”

As someone who has been with the organization for more than 10 years, Defense Supply Center Richmond Visitor Center Supervisor Leroy Stanford adds how that feels on the ground: “It feels like you’re wanted here. I’ve had other jobs where they weren’t shy to let you know that you could be replaced.”

Hiring the Right Way

The entire process starts with hiring. SOAR365 looks at what people can do, not what they can’t, and sets clear expectations from the beginning.

Angela explains: “We involve hiring managers from the very beginning, so candidates receive a realistic preview of the role. We also provide a comprehensive new-hire orientation to help new employees feel welcomed, prepared and connected to our mission.”

She adds that SOAR365 is “working to implement more detailed on-the-job onboarding plans for each position” to ensure new hires have the support and resources to succeed.

By matching people with jobs they can succeed in and providing proper training, SOAR365 sets its employees up for long-term success. “We’ve created a workplace where employees of all abilities feel respected, supported and valued,” adds Angela.

Leroy felt that sentiment as soon as he joined the organization: “I loved the environment from the beginning. I have always been treated with respect and dignity… you couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Supports That Make a Difference

Everyone faces challenges, both personally and professionally. At SOAR365, employees with disabilities don’t have to struggle alone. The organization makes sure people have what they need to succeed, whether that’s as simple as a raised desk or more complex like training tailored to the individual.

“The most effective accommodations are individualized because every employee’s needs are unique,” says Angela. “Supervisors lead with empathy, compassion and accountability, and many employees benefit from internal and external job coaches and case managers.”

For many, those supports translate into real growth. Leroy recalls how his manager encouraged him to step into leadership despite physical limitations: “I didn’t think I could be a team lead because I couldn’t lift heavy items, but my manager told me, ‘You can do everything else — we’ll get people to do the lifting.’ That gave me the chance to grow.”

SOAR365’s Business Solutions team, for example, has recently built a new support system for employees with disabilities designed to help them find success in the workplace while also providing additional support for their life goals.

Looking Ahead

SOAR365’s aim is to be “an employer of choice where employees feel connected, supported and appreciated,” with enhanced leadership training, well-being resources, and career development on the horizon.

For employees, working at SOAR365 is more than just a job. It’s a place where they can build a career, feel proud, and be part of a team that values them for who they are. For the community, SOAR365 is showing what’s possible when you focus on ability instead of disability.

SOAR365 is always hiring! If you, or someone you know, is interested in joining our team, visit soar365.org or click here to see current job listings.