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Top Workplace 2024
SOAR365
Pediatric Therapy’s Impact
Children with disabilities overcome challenges
Home Away From Home
Sade’s journey growing up with Respite
Beautifying Chesterfield
Late-night landscaping project brings new life to Chesterfield
A Top Workplace Three Years Running!
Aligning with the organization’s goal of being best-in-class, we are thrilled that SOAR365 has been tabbed as a Top Workplace in Richmond for the third consecutive year.
The award is based on employee responses to an in-depth survey conducted by the Richmond Times-Dispatch and their partner agency, Energage. The responses were then compared to other local employers, proving once again that SOAR365 is amongst the very best places to work in Richmond.
Only 98 companies made this year’s list.
“We have worked hard to build our reputation as an employer of choice, but our journey continues,” notes John Walker, President & CEO of SOAR365. “We will always strive to be the most respected disability services organization in Central Virginia.”
Whether SOAR365 is offering impactful programming or providing business clients with award-winning results, employee expertise is essential, and so is community support. Our staff work side-by-side with dedicated volunteers, donors and community partners to make SOAR365 a positive, welcoming place.
BY THE NUMBERS*
1,750 individuals with disabilities served across programs
Employees with disabilities:
161
899
981 volunteers through Pediatric Therapy –an all-time high!
*2023 DATA
Early Intervention Leads to Success
Pediatric Therapy helps children like Nevaeh achieve their goals
Little Nevaeh is a fighter. Born at just 27 weeks, she had brain injuries that led to cerebral palsy (CP). After three months in the NICU, Nevaeh was finally able to come home to her mom, Martricia.
SOAR365 has been by their side ever since.
What has SOAR365 helped Nevaeh learn to do? “Everything,” says Martricia. “Walking, making sounds. Literally since she got out of the hospital, she’s been with them.”
Nevaeh sees two SOAR365 therapists: Aiyana Doswell-Coles, for speech and feeding therapies, and Sam Cipolla, for physical therapy.
When Nevaeh was first diagnosed with CP, it “was a really tough moment for their family,” says Sam. “I know Martricia struggled with her diagnosis at first. We talked a lot about what it would mean for Nevaeh’s future and how to move forward.”
Nevaeh is now almost three years old, and Martricia appreciates the continuity of care she’s had at SOAR365, which gives her and her daughter a sense of comfort.
Today, Nevaeh is walking with the help of a gait trainer and braces. Her best motivator during therapy? Spicy chips. “She’ll walk for that! She’ll do anything pretty much,” says Martricia, laughing.
Martricia says Nevaeh’s personality is just as fiery as her favorite snacks. “She doesn’t like to be told what to do, and she knows what she does and doesn’t like,” her mom shares.
We are on track to serve close to 1,200 children this year! That’s more than ever before. But we can’t do it without the help of our generous donors, like the Jenkins Foundation.
Sam and Aiyana agree. “I first met Nevaeh when she was about 8 months old. Even then she had a big personality!” says Sam. “Nevaeh has always known what she wants, and she makes sure to let us know, too.”
Aiyana adds, “She’s never had a problem finding some way to let us know what she needs, but she has recently gotten better about reaching for specific toys, bringing things to her parents, and even pointing to interesting things in books!”
At home, Nevaeh loves to cuddle up with her mom, her books and her beloved pink blanket. She’ll also spend hours playing with any toy that makes sound, or enjoying new TV shows, like Elmo, Doggyland or Curious George. And if she needs a little space, she’ll crawl upstairs and retreat to her peaceful room.
“Crawling was really, really hard for Nevaeh to learn and took months of hard work both from her and her mom. I was concerned she wasn’t going to crawl because we had been working on it for almost 6 months, but one day, she just figured it out! I came to the house for our session, and Nevaeh was crawling all over the place. She hasn’t stopped moving since.”
“She’s a pretty amazing kiddo and it’s been an incredible journey working with her,” says Sam.
“SOAR365’s Pediatric Therapy program provides essential early intervention services that reduce health disparities for children with disabilities in our community. We are happy to be a partner in this work.”
Susan Davenport CHAIR, JENKINS FOUNDATION
Chester Civitan Club and FCIDD Support Camp Baker
The Chester Civitan Club has been actively supporting SOAR365’s Camp Baker location for six decades. This year, they also partnered with the Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FCIDD) to give $71,000 for capital improvements at Camp Baker.
“For many years, Chester Civitans performed almost all the maintenance projects at the camp, including opening and winterizing the camp each year. When a storm knocked down trees to the camp’s entrance, Chester Civitans were there to cut and clear trees and re-open the road,” explains Matt Johson, President of the Chester Civitan Club.
“Chester Civitans resurfaced the pool, replaced flooring, fixed plumbing, cleared trails, painted buildings, landscaped areas and replaced roofing —did just about anything the camp needed,” Matt continues.
In 2024, Civitan volunteers helped paint the back walls and clean the windows in the lodge building. And this is not the
first time the club has donated generously to fund capital improvements to Camp Baker.
“We have chosen to support SOAR365’s Camp Baker because what the camp provides lines up perfectly with our club’s mission to help people with developmental disabilities,” says Matt.
For the first time, campers who use wheelchairs will be able to access nature trails on a special UTV. And they’ll also be able to roll over to the fire pit on starry summer nights. Thanks to the Chester Civitans and FCIDD, everyone can enjoy roasting marshmallows, listening to stories and joining in singa-longs with their friends.
“This grant will ensure that Camp Baker is a fun, safe and accessible space for many more years to come,” says John Walker, President & CEO of SOAR365.
“CAMP BAKER HOLDS A NEAR AND dear space in our collective heart for its inclusion of individuals who navigate life differently due to I/DD. We want to ensure they enjoy all nature has to offer.”
Lynn Leitch FCIDD EXECUTIVE OFFICER
VOLUNTEER CORNER
As we wrap up another unforgettable summer at Camp Baker, we want to thank multiple volunteer groups who helped us get our facilities ready for Summer Camp. Volunteer teams from the James River Rotary Club, Catholic HEART Workcamp, Public Consulting Group (PCG), FedEx, Altria Group, the Chester Civitan Club and Dominion Energy joined us for outdoor beautification events. Behind the scenes, the Alpha Phi Zeta Sorority Chapter donated over 500 snack packs for our campers to grab on field trips and outings. Engaging groups deepens our capacity to expand the work we do and gives us an opportunity to share our impact with community allies.
Clockwise from left to right: Campers splash in the swimming pool on a hot day; volunteers from the Chester Civitan Club pose with the UTV they generously funded; the new and improved, accessible fire pit lets everyone roast marshmallows and enjoy singalongs together.
JAMES RIVER ROTARY CLUB
ALPHA PHI ZETA SORORITY CHAPTER
Sade Finds a Home Away From Home at Camp Baker
SOAR365’s Respite Program Offers Crucial Service to Families
“Home” can mean many different things to different people. Whether it refers to your permanent residence, your hometown or the place where you feel safest, having somewhere to call home is incredibly important.
That’s why SOAR365’s Respite program aims to make Camp Baker a home away from home for children and adults with disabilities, including a young participant named Sade and her family.
The McDonoughs like to visit family abroad, but the journey can be particularly challenging due to multiple layovers, especially when Sade, who is a non-verbal child, requires extensive assistance with daily living tasks.
Luckily, when Sade was seven years old, SOAR365’s Camp Baker came into the picture.
“I was a bit apprehensive to be away from Sade because our duty as her parents is to make sure she has everything she needs,” explains Clarissa.
“But to ensure that the whole family has occasional respite, sometimes you have to let other people in.”
The team of experienced professionals employed at Camp Baker work hard to make participants feel safe and caregivers feel confident putting loved ones in their care. They make sure participants’ medical and physical needs are met, with the help of direct support professionals and nursing staff.
Now 14 years old, Sade has shown incredible growth. Her participation in Respite has helped her build confidence and independence. As her mother describes it, “Sade is much more mature now. Now, she’ll sometimes just grab her suitcase and act like she’s ready to go back to Camp Baker.”
To learn more about SOAR365, the Respite program and Camp Baker, visit SOAR365.org. You can also follow SOAR365 on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for an inside look at the latest Respite participant activities.
SOAR365 Beautifies Chesterfield County With Late-Night Landscaping
If you went for a late-night drive in Chesterfield recently, you may have spotted SOAR365’s Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance team. In early April, the team was at the intersection of Huguenot and Jimmy Winters Road, from 9:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Each day, they worked hard planting trees, placing shrubbery and spreading mulch in the medians.
Since their typical hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., this effort required extra planning. Employees with disabilities had to get permission from their home or caregivers.
Changes in routine can be hard for people with disabilities, but the team overcame this with encouragement. “We kept everybody’s spirits up,” says Weldon Hall, a crew leader in Mobile Crew.
“I think the first night there, we planted 144 plants,” says Ashley Absher, fellow crew leader. “It kept you busy! It not only went by quickly, but it’s very rewarding.”
While the hours were different, the excellent results were the same—and that’s what clients have come to expect from SOAR365.
“We are honored to have the relationship that we do with the Chesterfield County Community Engagement Department,” says FaithAnn Zamparelli, Internal Employee Supports Manager. “And we’re proud to be able to make this happen with the diverse team that we have working at SOAR365.”
Employees with and without disabilities work together to plant trees and shrubs in a VDOT right-of-way.
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DeCarlos Savage never dreamed he’d be an intern on the floor of the Virginia General Assembly. “I was in a state of shock,” says DeCarlos. “I was like, ‘Wow!’” As a first-time representative, Delegate Rozia Henson wanted to assemble a diverse team, including people with disabilities. He reached out to Ashlie Strackbein at ServiceSource, who connected him with SOAR365.
Soon, DeCarlos’ days were a rush of meetings with lobbyists and politicians, invitations to special luncheons, and more. Every step of the way, his SOAR365 job coach, Erik, was by his side. They also worked hard behind the scenes, sorting documents and compiling binders.
“I really enjoyed having DeCarlos on my staff,” says Delegate Henson. “His friendliness and listening skills drew people to him. He was inquisitive and hardworking. And we share a spirit of service. DeCarlos genuinely cares about people and how he can make a difference. You never know what dreams you are igniting by simply giving someone a chance.”
“Because of the success of these internships, other
senators and delegates are saying, ‘Oh, I would like to do that!’” says Ashlie. “We look forward to working with SOAR365 to expand those opportunities.”
