* The 2020-21 program season was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and mountain restrictions. In a normal year, SOS supports over 3,000 kids and teenagers across locations.
We are doing the hard work already. We need you to continue to accelerate that work and increase our impact. This is about the future for young people across the country. Our work is about the future leadership of our communities.
SECOND LANGUAGE
DEMOGRAPHIC
Thank you for making each smile, each goal achieved, and each dream turned reality possible. The impact we create together is for a lifetime—and we simply couldn’t do it without you.
TOP BARRIERS OUR YOUNG PEOPLE FACE
We engage our participants with a dynamic fourth grade through high school graduation and beyond program integrating: the power of outdoor activities, support from adult mentors, and character and leadership training. The intentional engagement and structure fosters engagement in the community, a sense of belonging, and self-determination.
LOW ENGLISHINCOMEASA
ExecutiveSethSincerely,Ehrlich,Director Who We Serve
Together, we’ve been able to stand by our participants’ side through truly unprecedented years. Our participants and the communities that they call home have been on the leading edge of impacts through COVID. The challenges that they confront in accessing resources accelerated. Our work is critical, impactful, and significant. We are dedicated to walking with our participants to ensure that they have the skills, tools, and resources to succeed no matter what obstacles they face.
There is a vision for us to do more. Currently, our participation is more like a funnel. We have a number of youth engaged in our introductory years, and then participation narrows as our participants progress through the program. We want to flatten out that funnel. We want to engage more of our participants in more years of SOS Outreach, more consistently across our locations.
DIFFICULTY FOCUSING IN SCHOOL
PROFILE 56% HISPANIC/LATINO 30% CAUCASIAN/WHITE 4% BLACK 5% MORE THAN ONE RACE 2% NOT IDENTIFIED/OTHER 2% ASIAN 1% NATIVE AMERICAN
1,570 Kids and Teenagers*
We develop important life skills for our participants. They apply those skills to foster success in their personal lives, on the competitive field, in the classroom, and in the workplace. What was also reinforced to us through COVID is that we have a unique opportunity to connect our participants to resources. When our participants are not connected to SOS Outreach, we are not in a position to maximize our impact. We cannot connect them to scholarships, jobs, careers, recommendations, and mentors.
Our vision is to expand our reach, and we need you. Through this coming year and beyond, we will expand our high school engagement to create additional opportunities for youth. We will expand our career readiness program to engage youth across all of our primary locations.
CHALLENGES SETTING ACADEMIC GOALS
DIFFICULTY WITH FRIENDSHIPS
VICTIMS OF BULLYING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES
Dear SOS Family,
58% MALE 3%GENDERQUEER/NONBINARY39% FEMALE Courage • Discipline • Integrity • Wisdom • Compassion • Humility
Why Mentorship Matters: From Building Confidence in SOS to Starting a Business
Where We Serve
Eddie and Jeffery first met through SOS in the winter of 2018 at Park City Mountain Resort. Eddie who was relatively new to the area was looking for a way to get involved in the community in a meaningful capacity, “I was hoping that I could volunteer working with kids in some sort of format whether it was instructing, getting kids out on the mountain, or really anything to do with kids and skis,” says Eddie, “I did some research and SOS Outreach immediately stood out…” SOS is unique in that in addition to skiing, the SOS program provides an intentionally designed curriculum and carefully pairs mentors and mentees in small groups. This combination of curriculum and placing mentors and mentees in a positive peer group allows SOS to engage young people in a much more meaningful capacity beyond simply teaching them to ski or snowboard.
One of the unique aspects across mentor/mentee relationships is that the power dynamics of age difference tend to become much more fluid than in relationships with teachers or parents. “When I grew up, I always thought that adults were to be respected and never questioned,” remembers Jeffery, “Eddie showed me that, yes, respect is important, but Eddie also showed me that in our relationship it was ok to ask questions and think critically, because it was an opportunity to learn”.
Every mentor/mentee relationship is special in its own right, but the relationship that exists between Eduardo (Eddie) Regueira and Jeffery Payan, mentor and mentee respectively, epitomizes the power of having a positive role model in one’s life.
In his first season with SOS, Eddie was paired up with a small group of skiers who were in their first year of the mentor program - and in that group was 13 year old Jeffery. Upon meeting, a connection clicked almost instantaneously. “When I met Eddie, my perspective on mentorship totally changed. I felt that Eddie was an actual mentor, not only in skiing, but in life,” says Jeffery, “He helped me grow a ton and was really a mentor across all genres of my life”.
SIX PRIMARY LOCATIONS NINE ENRICHMENT LOCATIONS rds, CO e CO Frisco CO Park City UT South Lake Tahoe CA North Lake Tahoe, CA/NV ago IL oit, MI Minneapolis, MN Steamboat Springs, CO Leadville CO Durango CO Seatt e WA Yakima, WA Port and, OR 15 LOCATIONS IN NINE STATES NV UT MN MI IL OR CA
Eddie agrees and as such, he made sure to create a culture among his group where everyone felt comfortable, supported, and able to be open. “I’ve always thought about mentoring as a way of instilling confidence. I felt like my duty was really to be authentic… and let the dynamic within the group be such that everyone could be themselves and be authentic” says Eddie, “I wanted to be as much as part of the mentee group in terms of hanging out and joking around, while also providing a little bit of
“I think that Jeffery embodies exactly what the whole idea behind the SOS program is,” adds Eddie, “it’s incredibly refreshing to hear that these conversations that Jeffery and I have had about finding purpose and utilizing skills you’re learning in school and SOS are being used to do something much bigger than yourself. Being able to see the impact that SOS has had on Jeffery is awesome. In seeing that impact, it makes me feel that the whole purpose behind the program is truly just a good thing.”
“I never really felt like I had anyone cheering me on for the things I did,” continues Jeffery, “and as a result, I never gave myself time to feel good and celebrate my accomplishments, but Eddie helped shift that perspective. I still remember the day he told me ‘wow that’s really impressive’ after I had completed a goal and I was just so unbelievably happy, because I’d pretty much never heard that from anybody before. It just made me so confident and happy, it honestly really did change my life. The past four years since he’s told me that have really been so different than they would’ve been.”
Loneliest Man on Earth, at face value, is a clothing brand. However, take a look at the words printed on the clothes and it quickly becomes apparent that this business is about more than just apparel. Shirts and sweatshirts have phrases printed on them like “Are you doing ok?”, “I’ve been thinking about you” and “reach out”. At its core, Loneliest Man on Earth exists to raise awareness and tackle stigmas surrounding mental health.
At the end of the day, it’s incredible to think that what started with mountain access ultimately transpired into something so much greater than anyone could have imagined. And even more so, the relationship that has been facilitated through SOS and cultivated between Jeffery and Eduardo is something uniquely special and powerful, “I feel like my relationship with Eddie has built into an actual friendship” says Jeffery, “I’m always excited to talk to him. It was cool because our conversations were just conversations that I’d have with a friend despite the age difference. I remember crying with laughter with him. I just have so many good memories. It was a relationship that I’ve never had before. It was special and it still is special to me. He’ll always be someone important in my life and I’m excited to see where our relationship heads in the future.”
we’ve ever seen and we’re treating it like something we can just get rid of. You know like ‘oh just feel better, just make yourself feel better, just deal with it’ how many times have we ever told that to somebody battling cancer?”
It’s only been about four months since the company began selling clothes, but according to Jeffery, the company is already profitable and beginning to grow. “The amount of growth and maturity it takes to start something like [Loneliest Man on Earth],” says Eddie, “and to open up with your experiences because you’re thinking it’s not only going to help you, but help others, is just mesmerizing to see and especially to think back from where [Jeffery] was when we first met.”
leadership and guidance for all the mentees”. Eddie’s perspective was not only intuitive but also in line with best practices in the mentoring field.
Ultimately, it wasn’t SOS that made Jeffery start his business. However through SOS, a framework was provided so that Jeffery could feel equipped to pursue any opportunity that he was passionate about. “I’m super grateful for all the support
Thanks to Eddie’s thoughtfulness towards mentoring, the mentees in his group were all able to progress both on and off the snow. In particular, Jeffery made huge strides, “The first winter we were in the program together” reflects Eddie, “Jeffery was a lot more shy, but always extremely helpful. I saw this industriousness in him from the start. Not to be cliche, but over the years, he just totally blossomed, whether it was on the slopes or in community service projects. Each year [in SOS], there was more and more responsibility. Seeing him take a leadership role on the mountain among his group was simply incredible”.
Now in his final year of high school and SOS, Jeffery has embarked on a project that he wouldn’t have dreamed to be possible only a few years ago. “I used to have pretty simplistic goals, like I want to go to college, get a good job, etcetera,” says Jeffery, “but the more I heard from Eddie, the more I understood that my meaning in life was much larger than just getting a college degree, and so I should set my goals accordingly.” Jeffery did just that and in a short time he launched his own business called Loneliest Man on Earth.
Inspired by his conversations with Eddie, Jeffery decided to take action. “I realized there needed to be an actual change. And if you want to see change in the world, you have to start it. If you sit around, nothing ever happens and nothing will ever happen” says Jeffery.
I’ve received through SOS,” says Jeffery, “I’ve built great relationships with great people, people who I would now consider family. But, I think what I gained the most is confidence. I feel like I was lost for a while, but the confidence that SOS gave me is the reason I can run a business. Without that courage, I feel like I would just crumble. SOS gave me the confidence that I wouldn’t have gained anywhere else.”
Jeffery credits much of his personal growth to his relationship with Eddie, “I don’t want to toot his horn too much…” jokes Jeffery, “but Eddie really inspired a ton of confidence in me.”
“I was thinking about my own mental health situation and how so many of my friends were also struggling and how little help was being presented to any of us- from our community, our school system, or really anything that supported our development” reflects Jeffery, “I started to do some research and the more I did, I felt kind of sickened by what I found. Suicide had taken the second spot for cause of death among middle schoolers, which is huge. We’re talking about the biggest epidemic mentally that
As Delaney progressed through the SOS curriculum, she began to discover opportunities outside of snowboarding, yet were still deeply rooted in her love of being in the mountains. During the summer between her sophomore and junior year, Delaney learned about SOS’s Career Development Pipeline- a program that connects SOS participants with unique paid internship opportunities in the outdoor industry. Without hesitation, Delaney applied and was invited to work with the major outdoor apparel brand, Smartwool. “It felt like a major accomplishment,” says Delaney, “This was my opportunity to present myself to people and make connections.”
Delaney credits much of her success at Smartwool to what she learned in SOS, “SOS helped me gain the courage to talk to all kinds of different people. I learned to not just communicate, but to do so in a way that is effective.” Applying lessons learned, Delaney unapologetically asked questions and requested help when she needed it, “If I didn’t know if somebody wanted something a certain way, I wouldn’t be embarrassed and think that they thought I was stupid for not knowing, I would just ask them,” says Delaney, “I think that was another part of building and improving communication with other people, especially in a work environment because I’d never been in that kind of environment before.”
Shortly thereafter, Delaney enrolled in SOS and dove headfirst into snowboarding along with the opportunities that came with it. At first, learning to snowboard wasn’t easy, which came as a bit of a shock. “It was tough” she says, “as a kid who was a part of programs like Gifted and Talented in school…it was kind of frustrating because I wasn’t immediately good at it like I had been with other things. It was definitely a learning experience, I was humbled.”
Having Jen as a role model to look up to helped Delaney tremendously. “From Jen, I learned that I don’t have to start off where I want to be immediately after high school like I don’t have to be a physicist at NASA right after I graduate,” says Delaney, “[Jen] didn’t start off as a CEO, she worked her way up. She showed people that she was very capable and they respected her for it. It reinforced to me that not everything has to happen all at once.”
Delaney is, of course, looking forward to diving into college-level physics this summer and to being involved with SOS for one more season as a Junior Mentor. Delaney’s accomplishments speak volumes to her drive, determination, and character. At SOS, we are so proud of Delaney. We are also incredibly grateful that we’ve been able to support her and provide challenging opportunities throughout her SOS experience. The beauty of it all, is that while Delaney is absolutely exceptional, in SOS, she’s not the exception. There are so many others whose experiences in SOS have served as the catalyst to go on to do extraordinary things.
Though receiving a letter of recommendation was a huge surprise for Delaney, it was ultimately an easy decision to carry out for Jen. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of a letter of rec for such an incredible opportunity,” states Jen McLaren, “Delaney is such a bright young individual. She developed so much during her time with Smartwool and I felt honored to personally witness that growth. I have no doubt that this experience at Harvard will serve as yet another extraordinary opportunity for growth, just as Smartwool and SOS Outreach have.”
Just like snowboarding, Delaney approached the internship opportunity head-on. During her time at Smartwool, Delaney was able to experience a myriad of different jobs and responsibilities.
From the Slopes to Harvard: Meet Delaney
Although Delaney still isn’t sure if she actually wants to be a physicist at NASA, she’s taking Jen’s words to heart and putting in the work to get there. Earlier this year, Delaney discovered an interesting summer college program that allows high school students to take university-level courses. Naturally, Delaney applied and was accepted into the prestigious Harvard Summer Program where she will be taking a multi-week physics course on the Harvard campus.
The unique theme that exists across all of the incredible SOS participants is that it all started with the simple act of learning to slide on snow. Who’d have ever thought that learning to snowboard would ultimately lead to physics classes at Harvard?
Meet Delaney, a high school junior and SOS Denver participant with an unequivocal ambition to challenge herself, learn, and succeed. Despite having grown up in Colorado with the mountains only a few hours away, snowsports were not something Delaney had ever given much thought, “Prior to SOS, I didn’t even really know [snowboarding] was a thing,” says Delaney, “but in 7th grade, I learned about the program through my school and immediately knew that it was something I wanted to do.”
While it’s quite an accomplishment on its own, the cherry on top was receiving a letter of recommendation from her mentor and Smartwool CEO, Jen McLaren. “I was so excited because I didn’t know she was doing stuff like that for people” says Delaney, “… so when I received a letter of rec from her, I just felt so grateful.”
Along with the professional skills gained at Smartwool, Delaney was also given the opportunity to sit down with Smartwool CEO, Jen McLaren, “We talked for over an hour and got to know each other. She asked me about what I aspired to be in the future, and I actually got to learn a lot about her too,” says Delaney, “it was a really great connecting moment”.
As Delaney began to embrace humility, her skills and confidence on snow rapidly progressed. Before long, Delaney had developed a deep passion for snowboarding that she says will stay with her “for the rest of [her] life.” “My experience with snowboarding is actually really positive,” says Delaney, “It’s very exciting and tranquil at the same time.” And while Delaney loves the serenity of being in the mountains, she also admits the thrill keeps her coming back for more “I just love going fast” she says.
TOTAL ASSETS $1,140,585
&ManagementPrFuTotal:ndraisingogramsGenera $116,$4,811,428848 7% $128,487 8% $4,566,093 85%
Fundraising Expenses $173,706
Management and General Expenses $208,522
Program
Program Services $2,161,738
Total Net Assets $991,872
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
Financial Information
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS $1,140,585
September 1, 2020 - August 31, 2021 (Audited)
Revenue
Event
Every dollar donated to SOS Outreach is more than doubled by in-kind support of corporations that donate gear, outerwear, lift tickets, lessons and rental equipment to make both summer and winter programs possible. The organization’s IRS form 990 does not include in-kind contributions.
Grants Donated$674,750Goods
NET ASSETS - END OF YEAR $991,872 Expenses
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS $236,590
Other Assets $1,358
TOTAL
EXPENSES
NET ASSETS - BEGINNING OF YEAR $755,282
Interest
Other
Assets
85% Total
PPP
TOTAL EXPENSES $2,543,966
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
Liabilities and Net Assets Total Current Liabilities $148,713
September 1, 2020 - August 31, 2021 (Audited) Contributions $609,609 Income $16,334 and Services $1,184,059 Fees $124,721 Grant Revenue $161,592 Income $3,341 Income $6,150 REVENUE $2,780,556
Total Current Assets $1,139,227
Jen McLaren, Director, Smartwool
Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort Copper DiamondMountainPeakSki Resort Loveland Ski Area Mt. Hood Meadows Mt. Rose Purgatory Resort Ski SteamboatCooper Ski & Resort Corp. The Summit at Snoqualmie White Pass Ski Area
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Andy Littman, Director, Caplan & Earnest
Jim Knutsen, Director, evo
LEAD PARTNERS
Nathan Rafferty, Director, Ski Utah
Mike Lewis, Director, Park City Mountain, Vail Resorts
Diego Zegarra, Director, Park City Community Foundation
Alfredo Velasco, Director, Spreedly
Wendy Carey, Director, Seirus Innovation
Glenn Stahlman, Director, Vail Resorts Retail
John Colonna, Director, Elevate Outdoors Collective
Partners in Our Vision
Meg Pitman, Director, Boys & Girls Club of America
Matthew Kaplan, Director, Vail Resorts
Tod Francis, Chair, Shasta Ventures
MOUNTAIN PARTNERS
Michael Reger, Director, MLR Holdings
K.C. Oakley, Director, Goldman Sachs
No matter what social, societal, or economic barriers exist, SOS Outreach believes every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. sosoutreach.org PO Box 2020, A von, CO 81620 | p: 970.926.9292
