Capital Campaign Brochure

the campaign for soar GIVE SO THEY CAN GROW!

Your child is struggling...

These are four words no parent wants to hear. Words that send parents searching for solutions to help their son or daughter. Learning disabilities and ADHD are real. Youth, young adults and their families are left struggling for the right answers, the right educational settings and a support system.

SOAR is one of the answers to help youth reach their full potential.

Youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities may find it unusually difficult to manage tasks, to remain focused, to stay engaged, or to control impulsive behavior. Many experience all of these behaviors creating challenges at school, in relationships, and at home.

The far-reaching implications ADHD and learning disabilities have on the development of youth and on the well-being of their family have long been underestimated and underserved. Almost half of school-aged children who are diagnosed with ADHD also may have additional learning disabilities, which can lead to lifelong struggles with low self-esteem and an inability to thrive in all aspects of their lives.

“For years we supported, nurtured, and cheered for our son Trevor while he rode the ADHD rollercoaster. But we had reached an impasse. His peers had discovered Trevor’s uniqueness and were beginning to bully him. Trevor was defeated. As parents, we were desperate to find a program that could show Trevor that he was not his disability. After his first camp six years ago, Trevor returned happy and healthy. SOAR saw a part of Trevor that we had never seen. He is sure of himself and willing to take on new challenges, no longer believing that he is his disability.

SOAR did this for him.” “...the people at SOAR get me. At SOAR the kids are all the same.

We all have a disability, and it’s what makes us awesome.”

It was at this moment that I realized what a positive impact SOAR has been on my son’s life.

Christy Schultz & Trevor Jameyson, Summer Camp at SOAR, 2011-2016

CHANGING LIVES

SOAR is an outdoor adventure program dedicated to providing John Willson, Executive Director

“At SOAR, we believe that focusing on an individual’s strengths rather than deficits, is critical in ensuring success. This belief is at the heart of everything we do. There are many life-changing experiences that tell the story of SOAR. By changing the way participants see themselves, we are also able to change the trajectory of their lives, relationships, and opportunities.”

• • • •

academic instruction, experiential education, interpersonal life skills development, and outdoor adventure to youth, young adults and families dealing with ADHD and learning disabilities

We offer these services in three program areas • Academy at SOAR (Cognia Accredited), • GAP Year at SOAR, and our • Summer Camp Programs (ACA Accredited) Youth with ADHD and learning disabilities too often encounter failure, particularly in academic and social settings, until they arrive at SOAR. For the past 40 years, our programs have challenged participants to stretch beyond their comfort zone with support and encouragement. Their SOAR experiences empower them to overcome challenges, make healthy choices, learn more about themselves, and relate lessons learned to other aspects of their daily lives.

“Last year I dropped off a lost and broken 15-year-old boy who had his self-confidence torn to shreds, who was desperately trying to do better, to change…. and was failing. A boy whose future I was having trouble envisioning. Today, that same boy has learned to cope, gained an immense amount of self-confidence in himself, and learned things not taught in public school. Today he is graduating from high school and making decisions about the next steps in his life.”

Jeanna Read, Mother of Max Peters, Academy at SOAR 2015-2017

Max Surfing in Costa Rica

THE BEGINNING

“Youth arrive at SOAR believing they will suffer the same frustrations and defeats they experience in the classroom. However, they find SOAR to be a haven of understanding…a place to have fun, develop critical life skills, learn teamwork, and cultivate friendships.

We promise one thing to our SOAR parents: Their child will return home more self-sufficient than they have ever been in their life.”

Wandajean Jones, Founder

SOAR grew out of the experiences of a boy with a learning disability (LD) and a girl with a mix of ADD and LD. School was a tough place for both Jonathan and Wandajean. Jonathan Jones, SOAR Founder and current Board Chair, designed the prototype for SOAR as part of an outdoor education program while pursuing his Master’s Degree in college. When his professor asked, “Do you have what it takes to make this work?” Jonathan was challenged to put his concepts into practice and began by taking teens into the Hill Country of Texas and Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

Out of these adventures, SOAR was born.

“I was an extremely socially awkward, impulsive and out of control teen. I suffered from ADHD, bipolar disorder and a host of other issues. My parents doubted I would be able to complete high school in a standard setting. While at SOAR, I learned a host of skills and strategies to overcome my ‘disabilities.’ My counselors were truly mentors; they were patient and instilled in me a new sense of confidence. Today, I am an assistant professor. The ADHD teenager who could barely complete high school now has a PhD. I went to UCLA for environmental science and conservation biology, a passion I developed at SOAR. I completed my master’s degree in Geography, received many prestigious academic awards/fellowships and have recently completed my doctoral degree. Thank you for the most amazing summer of my life, and moreover, thank you for the skills, patience, and the confidence you have instilled in me. ” Jason Post,

Jason’s Group on CA Expedition in 2006

Summer Camp at SOAR, 2006

THE KEY TO SUCCESS

THE NEED Jonathan & Wandajean Jones, Co-Founders

“SOAR’s excellence is defined by dedicated staff, quality facilities, top-notch equipment and successful student outcomes. Unfortunately, all of these components come with a price. It is frustrating knowing program fees prevent even one youth from accessing SOAR services. Over the years, generous contributions to SOAR’s scholarship fund have assisted many children and families; however, the need for scholarships is greater than ever before.”

Life-changing experiences should be available for every child with learning and attention issues–every child who has ever been ostracized, felt inadequate, and struggled with their daily world. In 2017, SOAR served 693 youth and young adults across all programs, an increase of 30% in just three years. With more than 6.4 million children in the US diagnosed, families are in need of our services.

To expand our ability to change lives, SOAR is embarking on a transformational fundraising campaign that will expand our scholarship program and improve our physical facilities at both sites in NC and WY.

campaign overview We seek to raise $3 million through the Campaign for SOAR to create new futures by addressing the following important needs:

SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE ENDOWMENT $1.6 MILLION

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS $1.4 MILLION

Daily, the SOAR Admissions Office speaks to families who are elated they’ve just found a place that can help their child. Reality hits when they find they are unable to consider SOAR because the cost is out of reach. It is heartbreaking to have a youth and family turned away based solely on the lack of financial resources. We want this to change.

For those who are in dire need of our services, we never want cost to be the reason they miss out.

SOAR seeks to strengthen its long-term capacity by making facilities improvements at both base sites. As SOAR continues to grow, we are in immediate need of additional space at both Balsam Base, NC and Eagle View Ranch, WY.

“He has gone from failing and having no confidence to getting A’s in Honor Classes” “SOAR was an eye-opening experience for AJ because he finally had teachers who understood his challenges and were able to give him techniques that made this year a great one in public school. He has gone from failing and having no confidence to getting A’s in Honor Classes.

He felt he was too stupid to do anything especially if it involved college. Now he knows anything is possible and is going to college to major in Engineering!”

Stacy Manning, Mother of AJ Manning, Academy & Summer Camp at SOAR, 2012-2014, 2016

AJ Canoeing the Ten Thousands Islands

THE REALITY 1 in 5 students experience the challenges of learning disabilities and ADHD. 50% of students with a learning disability will drop out of school; 66% of students with ADHD will do the same. High school dropouts earn a third less than high school graduates and a million dollars less than a college graduate.

More importantly, individuals with ADHD and learning disabilities often miss out on the satisfaction and competence that is rightfully theirs!

THE OPPORTUNITY SOAR is committed to transforming the lives of youth and young adults diagnosed with ADHD and learning disabilities. Without the specific physical plant improvements described in the Campaign Overview, SOAR’s growth will be stymied, and we will be unable to keep up with the increased demand for SOAR programs. Your gift enables SOAR to serve more youth and young adults, increase the quality of our programs, and expand our services to those who are financially not able to attend. Our capital campaign will call upon parents, families, corporations, foundations and other partners for support in helping us build a successful and sustainable future.

THE IMPACT SOAR’s continued service to youth who make remarkable achievements is not possible without your help. We want to help more youth, more often, with the strategies we have used for the past 40 years. Your investment in the Campaign for SOAR gives hundreds more youth and young adults the tools they need for success for years to come.

soarnc.org

soar po box 388 balsam, nc 28707 (p) 828-456-3435 (f) 801-820-3050

Campaign Contacts giving@soarnc.org | 828-456-3435 John Willson, Executive Director bigjohn@soarnc.org

Cabinet Members Betty Allison, Parent Jonathan Jones, Founder & Board Chair Gordon Mansfield, Parent & Board Member Larry Rothman, Parent Joan Teach, Ph.D., Retired Educator & Board Member John Willson, Executive Director & Parent Steve Young, Parent

SOAR, Inc. is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All contributions are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

soarnc.org