My Nonprofit Reviews

I have worked with both Kevin and Karen Ogden for many years both in a professional relationship and a personal one. I remember many years ago meeting with Karen as she shared her dream of starting a program to help young adolescents with the many trials and tribulations they face. Karen consulted professionals in the field of education and those working in the mental health sector. Karen wanted to make sure that she led a team to design a program, SWITCH Adventure, that was realistic to the issues young people face today; low self-esteem, bullying, peer issues etc. From her sitting room in Poway she has created a vision that has materialized into a program that has "launched young people" valuing themselves and learning that they are an important part of society and that their voices count.
In my capacity as an Adjunct Professor at Palomar Community College, I have been able to offer my students an opportunity to work with Karen's students as "teachers, students and peer mentors." My students after having done Volunteer work through Service Learning with SOLE Effects, have come back enhanced in knowing that had made a difference in these teens’ lives Our youth are being bombarded with false advertising on how to build self-esteem, to be dressed only in the best clothes and having their statements and sometimes their lives mocked on Facebook and Instagram. College students share their experiences of having "been there" and the paths that are available to become important adults not having to accept bullying, peer pressure and knowing that they do not have to live up to other people's standards but their own.
This is excellent program is a win-win both for the students enrolled and to the Volunteers who work in their program. This program is a must for all Middle and High School students as they try to traverse their adolescents. I support this program whole-heartedly.