So Kids Soar

Various Other Programs within SKS include Volunteer Recruitment, Youth Recruitment, and General, one-time Programs offered to Youth throughout the year.

Your Path to Success: The So Kids SOAR mentorship program provides communication, leadership and vocational skill-building for young adults with developmental delays and/or physical disabilities in the Washington DC area. Over the course of 3 months, program participants attend skill-building workshops on topics such as resume development, interviewing, formal email communication, and off-site community service projects. The goal is to ensure that participants walk away with meaningful relationships, new confidence and real skills that allow them to pursue independence and gainful employment. Of all the graduates since 2017: 51% are currently employed and 9% are currently in higher education courses or technical/advancement programs. On average each year, three YPTS graduates find job placement within one year of completing YPTS. We now have employed 7 of our own graduates and hope to double this over the next few years. ?51% (22 of 43 graduates) are currently employed (in full-time, part-time or internship roles) ?9% (4 of 43 graduates) are currently (or recently completed) in higher education courses or technical/advancement programs ?On average each year, three YPTS graduates find job placement within one year of completing YPTS ?2022 YPTS graduate Kierra Johnson was hired by So Kids SOAR; in January 2024, she was brought on in a full-time capacity as the Programs Analyst ?2020 and 2021 YPTS graduates Patrick Green and Milan King (respectively) have taught our annual in-person and virtual cooking clinics since 2021 ?Companies where our graduates are employed include Disney, Biity & Beaus, Safeway, and more ?SKS graduates helped organize a fundraiser in September that raised ~$20,000; where our graduates were the contracted (paid) caterers and entertainment (Jacob Varghese and Kai Penic supplied music and live performances; Patrick & Milan reprised their roles in the kitchen)

SKS Holiday Celebration: This celebration is more than a seasonal party. It is our culminating year-end event that gives our participants the opportunity to pay compassion forward. Participants engage in a variety of philanthropic activities at the holiday celebration, including wrapping gifts for underprivileged children decorating desserts for homeless shelters making holiday cards for veterans and more. The Holiday celebration is a time for fun and philanthropy and a reminder that their disabilities will not hold them back from reaching their potential. At the 2024 SKS Holiday Program, 41 participants and 63 volunteers achieved the following goals: - 250 presents for DC Metro Foster and Adoptive Parent Association - 89 presents for The Napkin Network - 57 backpacks stuffed with school supplies and toys for Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) - 50 backpacks stuffed with hygiene kits for Comfort Cases, Inc. - 50 stuffed Kong balls for Montgomery County Partners for Animal Well-being - 70 flash cards for Hands On Tokyo