NOTE FROM SOHO’S DIRECTOR

Welcome to SOHO Alexandria's 26 new 5th-grade girls!

I am excited to get to know you and watch you grow and connect with each other throughout your years with SOHO.

At SOHO, you will be able to find and explore your sparks: interests and passions that get you excited and give you energy. You will develop relationships with caring adult volunteer mentors, create unique works of art, and learn to use power tools and technology to build things. You will try delicious and nutritious foods, make new friends, help others, and explore the outdoors. You’ll be invited to help plan adventures, projects, and fun events for your family to attend. And this spring, everyone on your team will help transform your bedroom or sleeping area with projects you create at SOHO. After your first year with SOHO, you and your mentor will be invited to join the SOHO Club for middle schoolers, where the fun will continue.

As a SOHO mentee, your confidence will grow and you will see how much your community cares about each of you. Over the past 20 years, countless people and organizations have contributed to SOHO, making our programs better and stronger each year. We are now 452 girls and 456 mentors strong, with many community partners who donate their time and resources to invest in you and your future.

As you explore your sparks, and develop new ones, imagine if you stick with something for 20 years, how strong you may become an the impact you might have. Your mentor and SOHO community of supporters are here to support and help guide you through your journey.

I hope you enjoy! Linda

Linda Odell, SOHO’s Founder & Director