Celebrating National Volunteer Appreciation Week at SOAR365!

National Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 21-28, but we recognize the contributions that volunteers make to SOAR365 every single day!

Volunteers support our mission in so many ways. From volunteering at annual events, to working outside to keep our spaces accessible and safe, to jumping in to provide our participants with unique opportunities and new faces – volunteers do it all. National Volunteer Week gives us the opportunity to say “thank you” to our incredible volunteer team. Our goal at SOAR365 is to be best in class in everything we do. Volunteers are at the core of that by giving their time and energy back to our community.

On behalf of SOAR365 program participants and staff, THANK YOU for contributing your priceless gifts of time and talent!

We'll be kicking off the celebration with an exciting first look at our 2024 Volunteer Appreciation Week video! Stay tuned for a special email later this month.

To learn more about how you can support SOAR365 with your time and talent, send an email to: volunteer@soar365.org

Don Jones shares his facilities expertise at Camp Baker



After a career dedicated to managing construction and maintenance projects of all sizes, including a long career as COO at the YMCA of Greater Richmond, Don Jones might have been looking forward to kicking back and relaxing at the beach. As it turned out, he didn’t take much time off before bringing his professional experience to SOAR365! Don joined us as a contracted employee to complete a major project last year. That project was a big success – and today Don is still with SOAR365 as a volunteer working on maintenance projects at Camp Baker.

“As a former employee at SOAR365, I know firsthand the important work we do every day to support those with disabilities,” he explained. “I have fallen in love with the SOAR365 mission, and specifically the work at Camp Baker. It was a natural transition to sign on as a volunteer and find purpose in my life as a retiree.”

Don pitches in on a variety of projects at Camp Baker and invites others to join him in this important work. “I am somewhat of an oddball because I actually LOVE painting and there are lots of opportunities to paint buildings at the Camp,” he said. “The staff inspires me – I want to do more to support their efforts. Their enthusiasm is contagious! Come join me in volunteering for this amazing organization.”

Teamwork with VCU makes a morning of St. Paddy’s Day fun!

In March, members of the VCU Women’s Volleyball team joined in the Emerald Isle spirit at our Saunders location for a morning of St. Patrick’s Day fun and activities. Players, coaches, and Saunders staff members partnered with SOAR365 participants for crafts, dancing, hula hooping, bowling and more. Whether or not they were wearing green, everyone had a blast!

“Our student-athletes and coaches relish each opportunity to team up with participants and staff at SOAR365,” said Tim Doyle, the team’s head coach (pictured top left). “SOAR365 does vital work in our Richmond community, and VCU Volleyball is proud to be part of this effort.”

Tim said he’s grateful to SOAR365 staff members for their planning to make the event fun, memorable, and engaging. “At each event when we partner with SOAR365, our admiration and love for the participants and organization grow,” he added. “SOAR365 represents all the things we seek to be as a volleyball program: selfless, caring, compassionate and best-in-class. Here’s to many fulfilling years ahead!”

Join the SOAR365 team and support people with disabilities! For all job opportunities, visit our website. Current opportunities include:

Human Resources Coordinator 

• Provide administrative support to the HR department as needed. This will include record-keeping, file maintenance, and HRIS entry. Your people skills will come in handy as you deliver exceptional customer service to staff as the front-facing representative of the HR department. 

Supervisor, Respite 

• Manage the operations and staff for respite and emergency respite. You will come to know the great people that make us who we are as an organization! 

Supported Employment Specialist / Job Coach

• Provide Supported Employment guidance to people with disabilities. Your people skills will come in handy and will help you to maintain professional relationships with your fellow team members and those that we serve.