Recognizing that not all SOAR youths desire to pursue higher education and more support is needed for those who do not, in 2024 SOAR adds an additional week to its fourth Summer Academy: SOAR To Your Future.
Week one of the Academy is SOAR To College. It will offer opportunities for our 4th-year students to learn how to prepare for, apply to, and succeed in college.
Week two of the academy is SOAR To Vocation. It will give Academy attendees opportunities to learn and explore vocations that can lead to a decent living without necessarily earning a college degree. We plan to offer introductory classes, field trips, and hands-on workshops.
The SOAR To College academy gives fourth-year students tools to attain wellness and pursue post-secondary education. Classes include:
- College Application 101
- SAT and ACT Tips and Strategies sessions
- Personal Statement coaching and writing sessions
- Community College Guarantee Program
- EOP and Campus Resources for Foster Youth
- Financial Aid and Scholarships for Foster Youth
- Four 8 Dimension of Wellness classes (e. g. Spiritual and Intellectual, Physical and, Emotional)
Most of the youths will be close to graduating from high school by this time; they will have opportunities to visit two additional Bay Area campuses, including at least one that is well known for its trade schools.
The SOAR To Vocation academy will include workshops and classes on:
- Accounting and Bookkeeping
- Computing
- Construction
- Landscape Design
- Nursing
