So Kids SOAR

SKS Clinics are adaptive clinics held once or twice a month for youth with disabilities. Through our clinics, those with physical and developmental disabilities are able to come off the sidelines and unite with their peers. Many children have been bullied in schools and are left out of activities with able-bodied children. The empowerment and self-confidence gained through the clinics will carry over from the field to the home, classroom, and community, allowing them to realize that their disability will not prevent them from fulfilling their dreams. Each child is partnered with a volunteer to learn the essence of teamwork, have a mentor, and bond over a sense of camaraderie.

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.

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.