What's Happening Archives | Page 3 of 12

The Future is Looking Bright!

by SOAR Fox Cities | Sep 17, 2019 | Activities, Blog, Community, Education, What's Happening

It’s Back to School Season, did you know that SOAR offers programs for youth both during school and after school? Many of our youth programs include students with and without disabilities, providing safe environments that foster understanding and acceptance among all participants. Our youth programs include-

Kidz Klub: a collaborative after-school program for elementary aged kids.

Teen Stop: an after-school peer-to-peer social group for kids in middle school.

TnT: a youth group for Teens and Transitioning youth (ages 13-23) that offers educational, social, and recreational activities.

Activity Days: In-school activities brought to elementary, middle, and high school classrooms around the Fox Cities for free.

K.I.T.E. Kamp: a four-day day camp for youth ages 6-16 held each August.

For more information on our youth programs, contact Lisa McCallister, our awesome Youth Services Manager!

(920) 731-9831 x110

[email protected]

“Lisa does such a great job exposing our students to situations in which we can work on life skills, social skills, and executive function skills.”

-Katrina Bartell, Madison Middle School Appleton

Steven’s Success

Steven* is a young man who typically struggles with anger and bullying others. This year at K.I.T.E Kamp, however, he played games with younger campers, helped campers with more significant needs complete activities, and comforted campers that were scared to do some activities, like exploring a dump truck, by holding their hands and helping them up. When leaders told him he was doing a great job, Steven told them he was surprised he was being so nice to people, but it felt so awesome to help them. Way to go Steven!

All of our programs, including K.I.T.E. Kamp, help kids like Steven enhance skills needed to work in team settings, challenge their thinking, and build on appropriate social skills.

*Name has been changed

STRONG Summer: Staying fit with SOAR!

by SOAR Fox Cities | Sep 3, 2019 | Activities, Blog, Community, Education, What's Happening

Hustle for that muscle

This summer SOAR participants worked hard and played hard with special programs for healthy living and active lifestyles.

This year we have been focusing on expanding fitness opportunities for our participants, and this summer was no exception! Our special activities included Six Parks in Six Weeks, a walking program around the community, Strong Bodies, a strength, flexibility, and balance class with Appleton Park and Rec, Y Fitness, an educational workout class at the YMCA teaching participants workout techniques and about the fitness equipment, Keeping it Cool, a fun, active afternoon of water based activities such as water balloon baseball, S’more Summer Fun, a fun night of outdoor games and foil pack dinners with family and friends, and Riverside Garden Volunteering, where participants weeded gardens, raked debris, helped with planting, and more around the gardens.

We are so proud of all of our participants who (literally) went the extra mile this summer with us. We had so much fun and can’t wait to keep getting stronger together!

“Congrats to the participants who all have really been challenging themselves. They strive to go further, faster, or longer than ever before. They are not afraid to sweat and push their bodies; and, they smile, laugh, and encourage each other all the way”
-Tammy Wittman, WOTFV Americorps Wellness Coordinator

SOAR Fox Cities Receives $3,000 Grant from the Green Bay Packers Foundation for Special Olympics Program

by MAKE IT SOAR | Dec 11, 2018 | Advocacy, Community, What's Happening

SOAR Fox Cities Executive Director Erin Schultz (Right) and Special Olympics Program Coordinator Holly Volkman (Left) accept a $3,000 grant awarded by the Green Bay Packers Foundation. Included in this photo and presenting the award is Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy (Center).

GREEN BAY, Wis. (December 5, 2018)—SOAR Fox Cities Executive Director Erin Schultz and Special Olympics Program Coordinator recently accepted a $3,000 grant award from the Green Bay Packers Foundation at an awards luncheon at Lambeau Field. The Green Bay Packers Foundation awarded $800,000 to 230 civic and Charitable groups throughout the state of Wisconsin in its annual distribution of grants. Jerry Ganoni, chairperson of the Foundation, made the announcement.

“The support from the Green Bay Packers Foundation means a great deal to us.” said SOAR Fox Cities Executive Director Erin Schultz. “It not only helps to fund one of our largest programs, but also provides a stage for SOAR to stand on. I want to say THANK YOU to the Green Bay Packers Foundation, the Green Bay Packers Organization and all of their supporters for helping support SOAR Fox Cities and our Special Olympics Program!”

Overall, including four recent $250,000 impact grants awarded to the Center for Childhood Safety Inc., Encompass Early Education and Care, Inc., HSHS St. Vincent/St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation and Give BIG Green Bay, $1.8 million was awarded through Foundation grants this year.

The total amounted donated is a new Foundation donation record.

The recipient groups were guests at a luncheon in the Lambeau Field Atrium, which honored the outstanding efforts and services performed by each of the organizations. Of the Foundation’s contributions Wednesday, 30 grants – aggregating $107,500 – were awarded to Brown County organizations. Additional grants, totaling $692,500, were made to 200 other groups around the state.

This year’s grant cycle focuses on organizations that will direct the funds toward the need areas of arts and culture, athletics and education causes. In 2019, the focus areas will be animal welfare, civic and community, environmental, health and wellness including drug/alcohol and domestic violence. For more information about the grant cycles, please visit packers.com/community/packers-foundation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Erin Schultz, MSW, Executive Director

SOAR Fox Cities, Inc.

211 E. Franklin St., Ste. A

Appleton, WI 54911

920.731.9831 x116

Soar Welcomes Amy Andersen as Director of Development

by MAKE IT SOAR | Aug 6, 2018 | What's Happening

SOAR Fox Cities, Inc., often referred to simply as SOAR, is excited to announce the hire of Amy Andersen as the organization’s new Director of Development.

Andersen joins the leadership team at SOAR with over 15 years of experience with big picture strategizing, relationship building, advocacy, needs and impact assessment, event planning and promotions, and grant management. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Pre-law and master’s degree in Education (Counseling) from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. For the past 12.5 years Andersen served as Campus Counselor at Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac serving at-risk students. She started her career in the non-profit world as a Prevention Educator and Program Coordinator for Sexual Abuse Services, and has worked extensively as a volunteer in many non-profit organizations. During her tenure with Sexual Abuse Services and Big Brothers Big Sisters Board of Directors, Amy has developed, planned and implemented major fundraising events that also promote awareness and collaborative relationships. Amy also interned with the U.S Department of Justice providing Technical Assistance to the public on the Americans with Disabilities Act, and served as Director of Public Service and Promotions Writer for WKOW-TV in Madison, WI.

“I can’t wait to start highlighting all the services, programming, dedicated staff, and of course the reason for it all, the wonderful SOAR participants! I view life from an inclusive lens and try to have my work reflect the value I place on every individual living their best life. I look forward to translating this value into continued financial support for SOAR from the Fox Cities community.”

Andersen began with SOAR on July 31, 2018.

SOAR FOX CITIES WELCOMES ERIN SCHULTZ AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

by MAKE IT SOAR | Mar 1, 2018 | What's Happening

SOAR Fox Cities, Inc., often referred to simply as SOAR, is excited to announce the hire of Erin N. Schultz as the organization’s new Executive Director.

Schultz joins the leadership team at SOAR with over 10 years of non-profit leadership experience, a significant portion of which has focused on program and organizational development, fund development, and strategic planning. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Marian University, is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Green Bay’s Masters in Social Work Program, and completed a non-profit leadership certificate at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire.

Most recently Schultz served as the Executive Director of Hope House of Manitowoc County, Inc., a shelter program serving homeless families located along the Lakeshore in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. During her tenure with Hope House, Schultz lead the organization through a relocation to a new operating location and facilitated a capital campaign to help fund renovations to the new building and the move.

“I am beyond excited to have joined the amazing team that already exists at SOAR” Schultz notes. “I truly look forward to serving the nearly 1,200 individuals, families, and corporations from throughout the Fox Cities region that SOAR serves.” Schultz continues, “The mission of SOAR to empower people with differing abilities clearly spoke to me. I believe in the inherent ability EVERYONE holds and believe that every individual, regardless of ability, has something to share with the world.”

Schultz began with SOAR on January 8, 2018.

2017 Corn Roast scheduled for August 22

by MAKE IT SOAR | Jun 21, 2017 | What's Happening

2017 Corn Roast Flyer with registration

SOAR Fox Cities Annual Corn Roast!

Tuesday, August 22nd from 5:30-8:00 PM

Location: Pierce Park (1035 W. Prospect Ave., Appleton)

Theme: “Celebrating Community”

There’s a lot to celebrate in the Fox Cities with so many organizations that make this community a great place to call home. Join us for a fun-filled night as we are joined by a variety of local organizations and community groups! Each will provide a game or activity for your enjoyment. An event you don’t want to miss! Fun for all ages!

Registration & Cost (Registration, including names of all attending, and payment is due August 14th.)

$5 per person (This applies to participants, family members, and caregivers.)
Or $25 per family/group home (up to 8 people.)
Children under 6 years old are free.

Þ Anyone who attends without registering in advance will be invoiced $10.

Þ No payments will be accepted at the park.

For Corn Roast questions, please contact Diane at 920-731-9831 ext. 100

Registration starting at 5:30, Meal starting at 6:00 PM