Richmond, Virginia
Case Management
Case managers’ hard work sets participants up for success
Troy Lands Dream Job
VCU’s RRTC right place at right time for Troy
Growing Up with SOAR365
From Youth Services to Adult Day Support
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Legacy Giving Tom Haskins’ connection to SOAR365 comes full circle
SOAR365’s case managers work tirelessly to ensure our participants are set up for success—both in their programs and in their personal lives. First, they meet with each participant’s family and care team. They create a plan just for them, detailing their likes, dislikes, strengths and goals.
From there, they work closely with our DSPs, taking on many reporting, coordination and compliance requirements. This allows our DSPs to focus on the day’s activities and be present with each participant.
Both case managers and DSPs keep a close eye on any changes in our participants or any needs they may have—for food, housing, clothing, hygiene and more.
This personalized attention increases both the safety and quality of our program. Case managers also have connections to community resources that can help participants get what they need, whether at SOAR365 or at home.
“Compliance and case management staff are so important to the organization and the success of our program participants, and we do it with love,” says Laura Yackel, a SOAR365 case manager. CASE MANAGERS [including one intake coordinator]
Troy Carter is hard-pressed to choose a favorite: Obi-Wan Kenobi or Yoda? Marvel or DC? Photography or videography?
Luckily, on the last count, he doesn’t have to choose. His new job at VCU’s Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) allows him to do both. “Ever since I was little, I loved art,” says Troy.
Troy is passionate about the creative work he’s doing, especially because he’s supporting students with intellectual disabilities, like himself. The RRTC oversees VCU’s ACE-IT in College program, which Troy graduated from in 2018.
For Troy, working at the RRTC offers an opportunity to “return the favor.” “I wanted to give back to the program that helped me go to college,” Troy explains. He loves that he has the chance to “help students (with disabilities) put their story out there.”
Leeanne Jones, Troy’s SOAR365 job coach, helped him find the position. “She helped me figure out what I wanted to do as a career not just a job, but a career,” says Troy.
She also helped him access the accommodations he needed to be successful. Troy “utilizes the natural reader app to read printed documents out loud to him. He uses a microphone to do talk-to-text. And he uses the read aloud feature on browsers and programs,” says Leeanne.
“There’s nothing wrong with me. I just learn differently from other people. You have to give people (with disabilities) a chance because they may surprise you,” says Troy.
She’s been inspired by Troy’s patience and determination, noting he completed many applications before landing his current job.
Troy explains, “There’s always a plan B, C, D, E, F and G. But you’ll find your destination, guaranteed. It may take some time, but you’re going to find it.”
Today, Leeanne only needs to spend three to four hours per week supporting Troy on-site at his job. But she frequently checks in to offer support and encouragement.
“Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith,” says Troy. “I’m following my heart, and I’m doing something I love.”
SOAR365 Employment Services start at age fourteen.
We work closely with local school systems and the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) to provide Pre-Employment Transition Services (pre-ETS).
This program helps youth with disabilities prepare for life in the real world. Students gain job skills, explore career interests, and practice budgeting, problem-solving and more.
OUR JOB COACHES OFFER:
Job Exploration Counseling
• Work-Based Learning Experiences
• Workplace Readiness Training
• Instruction in Self-Advocacy
Our program participants are like family, and it’s wonderful to watch them grow. Antonio is a familiar face around SOAR365. He started his journey in Youth Services in 2020.
“I’ve loved watching Antonio build his confidence and grow into a responsible adult,” says Jovia Walker, Supervisor of Youth Services. “I watched him transition from a young boy to a man. He is respectful, responsible, and very helpful. He is a great friend, and he enjoys learning new things.”
Our direct support professionals (DSPs) take the time to focus on each person in our program—their likes, dislikes, talents and goals. Each day, participants are empowered to choose from a variety of fun, skill-building activities.
Antonio moved into Adult Day Support last year. On any weekday, he might go swimming, do a puzzle, make soap, plant carrots or volunteer with Meals on Wheels. He even helped start a SOAR365 basketball league!
Our DSPs love to see participants like Antonio blossom and take on new life goals.
When Nafeesah started Youth Services seven years ago, she was shy and withdrawn. “She was just so timid and quiet, held her head down, wouldn’t look at you. Wouldn’t talk,” says her mother, Rose Anderson.
Today, Nafeesah has graduated to Adult Day Support and become a confident self-advocate and a loving friend.
“She has become outspoken. And she thinks she knows it all,” says Rose with a laugh. “She can pretty much fend for herself, and you know, that’s a good thing.”
While working on social skills, our participants are also learning how to be more independent and successful in the world.
Nafeesah would like to get better at reading and counting money; she wants to learn how to do hair, drive a car, and do laundry. And soon, she’ll start Supported Employment at
SOAR365, where she can explore different careers and job skills.
“We’re thrilled to have Nafeesah join our Supported Employment program,” says Tricia Puryear, VP of Human Services. “She’s been interested in learning career skills for a while now and is excited to have a job of her own. Nafeesah has grown so much, and we are so proud of her!”
Antonio is also in Supported Employment and has been trying out different jobs around town with the help of our dedicated employment specialists.
In February, Antonio got to try working in the kitchen at Mercy Chefs, preparing roast beef and cheese sandwiches, slicing cherry tomatoes, making pasta salad and baking chocolate chip cookies. And the following month, he helped out preparing lunches and drinks for participants at Teen Summit RVA.
At every stage of life, SOAR365 is here for them, helping them dream big! Caregivers love knowing their children have a place to come every day that truly knows them and offers personalized support.
“I love everybody here because y’all do such a great job with her and the other kids and young adults that come here. And I see it every time I come,” says Rose. “It’s just wonderful.”
National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week was September 8-14. We celebrated with a video featuring the stars of the show—our dedicated DSPs!
Every October, SOAR365 celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). We know that people with disabilities are valuable employees that bring needed talents, skills and ideas to the workplace.
That’s why we’re dedicated to helping adults with disabilities find jobs, whether out in the community (through our Supported Employment program) or within our own businesses.
Randi Dixon has maintained employment with SOAR365 for more than 11 years.
“It was a big experience for me to start working; I was finally being paid, I was respected by everyone, and I love the people I work with,” says Randi.
It was once common for people with disabilities to only work with each other, often for sub-minimum wages. But today, Randi works alongside employees with and without disabilities, receiving competitive pay and benefits.
She’s also learned new skills, transitioning from our Assembly & Logistics department to our Janitorial & Custodial Services team. Placing employees in the right positions and providing them with the right training and supports sets them up for success.
At the Defense Logistics Agency, Randi keeps busy with cleaning responsibilities that span 15 different buildings. She ensures bathrooms, hallways and offices are cleaned from top to bottom—and takes immense pride in the work she does.
The opportunity to work hard and earn a fair wage also gives Randi a level of independence that she has always wanted for herself.
“Working here helps me be independent at home,” says Randi through a wide smile. “I do my dishes, I clean my room, I cook food, and I do it all just like I do at work.”
“It was a big experience for me to start working; I was finally being paid, I was respected by everyone, and I love the people I work with,” says Randi.
Tom Haskins’ son, Sam, was born with Down syndrome in 1979. That’s when the Haskins family first found SOAR365 (then known as Greater Richmond ARC). Sam received occupational, physical and speech therapy with SOAR365 as an infant, and then joined our Adult Day Support program after graduating high school.
To give back to the organization that supported his family, Tom served on the SOAR365 board of directors for 13 years. He was part of the board that supported the construction of our Saunders location, raised funding for PARK365 and helped renovate Camp Baker.
But his support of the organization did not stop there. Professionally, Tom worked as an estate planning attorney, and he helped establish the Olga H. Thurston Trust for the Thurston family.
“The Thurstons were my clients and friends for years until their passing,”
explains Tom. “They were hard working people who looked at me for guidance on their final estate plans.” When the family considered leaving a legacy gift to a local nonprofit, Tom says, “I couldn’t think of a better place to recommend than SOAR365—and they agreed!”
In return, SOAR365 named multiple program spaces in their honor: the teaching kitchen at our Saunders location is named after Roy and Olga Thurston, and one of the activity centers in the Adult Day Support area is named after their son, Paul Thurston.
“The Thurstons should be remembered as everyday people who left their entire wealth to SOAR365,” says Tom. “You don’t have to be rich to make a difference in the world, and the Thurstons are the perfect example of regular people making a big impact. I am glad to have played a small role in that.”
WHAT WILL YOUR LEGACY BE? You can help make sure our critically-needed programs are here for generations to come. For more information on legacy gifts, please visit our website or contact Dana Wilson, Director of Major Gifts, at dana.wilson@soar365.org or (804) 665-1213.
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3600 Saunders Avenue
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 358-1874
Did you know that SOAR365’s Summer Camp recruits counselors from all over the world? This year, the nations of England, Scotland, Wales, Poland, Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Australia, New Zealand all came together at Camp Baker.
Designed for individuals with disabilities, SOAR365’s Summer Camp spans 10 week-long sessions. Campers enjoy many fun activities, such as horseback riding, swimming, paddle boating, fishing, hiking, arts and crafts, talent shows and more.
Campers are also introduced to new languages and cultures as they spend time with their counselors. “A lot of our campers have never met anyone from another country,” says Summer Camp Supervisor Jessica, who hails from England. “They ask lots of questions. It can be an educational moment for everyone.”
Flags from nearly every country hang in “The Retreat” where campers and counselors rest during the day and sleep at night. Everyone plays music from their home countries, and all kinds of facts about different countries are incorporated into camp activities.
Head Camp Counselor Torrey remembers a camper and a counselor conversing in a Polynesian language. “Being from Virginia, it’s really cool to witness something like that,” says Torrey.