Beginning on July 1, 2025, SOAR365 is excited to welcome four new members to its Board of Directors, as well as two longstanding members into new roles.
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Find out what we've been up to! Awards, spotlights, media and more.
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Why I Give to SOAR365: Christie & Steve Fargis
At SOAR365, our mission of creating life-fulfilling opportunities for individuals with disabilities is greatly supported by the generosity of our donors. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Christie Fargis, owner of Christie Fargis Landscape Design and a long-time supporter of SOAR365 alongside her husband, Steve. Read the Q&A below to learn more about their journey together as donors and advocates for our mission.
From Music to Marketing: How Pia Discovered Her Creative Career Path Through SOAR365
“Pia produces her own music. She writes all of the lyrics. It’s astounding!” says her SOAR365 employment specialist (or “job coach”) Lizzie Graham. Job coaches like Lizzie know our participants often have undiscovered talents or interests. Sometimes these skills can be overlooked due to their disability.
Volunteers Are Critical to SOAR365’s Mission
Volunteer efforts are critically important to SOAR365’s mission. In 2024, 1,135 volunteers donated 10,664 hours of service to SOAR365. That’s equivalent to $427,876!
2024 SOAR365 Annual Report
SOAR365’s 2024 Annual Report highlights a year of growth, impact, and forward momentum. The report showcases powerful stories of individuals with disabilities achieving greater independence, along with strategic investments in programs, staff, and infrastructure.
SOAR365 Joins Chesterfield: Behind the Mic Podcast
Brad Franklin, Chesterfield County and the “Chesterfield: Behind the Mic” podcast welcomed SOAR365 Communications & Public Relations Manager Nate Wise to talk about all things SOAR365.
![Discussing Disability Podcast – June 2025 [AUDIO]](https://soar365.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/June-DD-Podcast-Cover-Image.png)
Discussing Disability Podcast – June 2025 [AUDIO]
For our June 2025 episode, we talked with Dr. Sarah Kranz-Ciment, Founder and Executive Director of the Friendship Circle of Virginia. The discussion covered tons of information about Friendship Circle of Virginia, as well as their upcoming event – the 4th Annual Disability Inclusions Day at the Diamond.
DSCR’s Renovated Visitor Control Center Prioritizes Service, Security
The redesigned DSCR Visitor Center stands as a testament to the installation’s commitment to continuous improvement and the community. By prioritizing both customer experience and enhanced security measures, the project has successfully created a welcoming, efficient, and secure space for visitors and personnel alike.
SOAR365 Honored with Capital Award for Feature Story, Named Finalist for Publications at 78th Annual Virginia Public Relations Awards
SOAR365 received a prestigious Capital Award for Feature Stories and was named a finalist in the Publications category for its 2023 Annual Report at the 78th Annual Virginia Public Relations Awards, hosted by the Public Relations Society of America’s Richmond Chapter.
How SOAR365 Helped David Find Confidence, Community — and a Career
“My college degree was nothing compared to this,” says David, proudly. He’s talking about winning SOAR365’s “Supported Employment Participant of the Year” award — a moment that made him feel proud, seen, and a little emotional. The award wasn’t just a surprise. It was proof of how far he’s come, thanks to his hard work, his family’s support, and help from SOAR365’s Employment Services team.