I have been volunteering with SOAR for Youth for over 10 years, and it has been a delight to work with such Foster Youth in helping them realize their dreams. We each have created and followed an educational and career path in our lives, but for these youth that road is strewn with rocks and holes, or such a path does not even exist. SOAR provides the soft- and hard-skill building blocks and bridges that help their students beat the odds, graduate High School, go to college, and obtain a Bachelor’s or even Master’s degree. I have worked with so many of the students at SOAR via their Summer camp and special events, but have also been an Academic Advocate for ten students. In this role with SOAR, I get to work with the students one-on-one as they move through High School, apply for college and navigate all that goes with such a step. And then watch them walk the stage with diploma in hand – setting these Foster Youth up on a very different path than they otherwise would be on today. That is about having impact and the personal reward and joy it brings for being involved. - Karen Mason
SOAR for Youth is an exceptional organization, driven by values that center the needs, resilience, and opportunities for foster youth in our communities. SOAR supports countless youth each year in their pursuit of advancing their academic opportunities by creating pathways to college, internships with meaningful organizations, and concrete job training. I am honored to be part of this organization, and grateful for the ways SOAR taps into and lifts up the broader community surrounding our foster youth.
Soar for Youth is a program that has been significantly helpful in offering two of my foster youth (one is too young) life skills, exposure to living on a college campus, outdoor and social activities, as well as offered academic tools for success. Each year they started with staying on UC Berkeley's campus over the summer, which was filled with learning opportunities. Then, every quarter thereafter, they met to reconnect and learn something new.
This program was referred to me by my oldest kiddo's CASA. I believe this has been a significantly positive experience for what is possible, how people can support each other, and trust that there are so many great things ahead and endless possibilities for those who want to succeed.
Without this organization, my kiddos would not have been exposed to options available to them for higher education, and impactful like skills like:
1) Classes; Finance / understanding how to manage debit to income.
-Etiquette / Understanding table placements and behaviors
-Project Management / Focused on planning
2) Activities: Exposed to places and activities that served as team building and knowledge expansion. Examples include:
- Campus tours - UC Berkeley, San Jose State, and someone came to present on Saint Mary's
- Outdoor adventures - Sailing, kayaking, ropes courses and hiking
- Indoor fun - Bowling, Dream Boards/Vision Boards, Scrap booking, Arts and Crafts (painting backpacks, clothes etc.)
-Financial Aid - Different ways to pay for college and important resources (ie, financial aid office)
3) Educational supplies and resources that include:
- Dell Laptop Computer for each participant
- An Education Advocate who assist me in keeping up with their academic success (they work directly with teachers and counselors, too!!!)
- Tutors, identified and paid by SOAR
4) Volunteer activities
- Example includes: Guardsmen Xmas
SOAR for Youth is set up as a 4 year program, and you receive a certificate of completion, if you successfully fulfill the participation requirements. I have one kiddo who loved participating in each event/activity and completed her fourth year in 2022. She looks forward to invitations to attend events and meet up with former class members to this day. My other kiddo is in her 3rd year and absolutely loves participating just as much as her older sister.
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This is a small sampling of what my girls have experienced by being a part of this program. I believe it has offerings that will positively impact anyone who attends, in meaningful ways. Therefore, I strongly recommend the program to all who qualify.
Regards,
Anna "Andi" Horton
Guardian of
Mariy G
Amy G
I have been a volunteer instructor teaching financial literacy for the youths in the program for many years. I am also a mentor to one of the students who has been with SOAR since age 12 and is currently in College pursuing a career in Accounting. With SOAR's assistance, this young person successfully completed a summer internship with a major accounting firm and is poised to graduate from college on time and return for a second internship. SOAR provides the students individualized opportunities, meets them where they are and believes the youths in the foster system all have a potential to a fulfilled life.
I have been volunteering with SOAR for two months and I am already amazed. The organization is purposefully small so that the youth it serves get individual attention throughout their involvement in the program (up to 8+ years). I serve as an advocate and a tutor, so I meet with kids one on one as meets their needs - generally once or twice a week. SOAR for Youth provides training, clinical guidance, and support throughout the year to academic advocates so that even people without experience can gain information and confidence. It really feels like a community.