Program

SOS Outreach

210 Edwards Village Blvd, Edwards, CO 81632
Nationally,

SOS Outreach is a national non-profit with programs that reach out to at-risk and underprivileged youth through high quality resilience-based snowsports programs. Celebrating its 14th anniversary, SOS was founded in Vail, Colorado in 1993. SOS Outreach, formerly Snowboard Outreach Society, is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) organization. During the 1995/1996 season, SOS taught 40 youth snowboarding. During the 2007/2008 season, SOS leveraged support from mountain resorts, winter sport manufacturers, youth agencies, volunteers, foundations and individual donors to serve 130% more youth (3,011 total). SOS moved to include skiing as part of that expansion, and is excited to continue our growth.

SOS Outreach (SOS) has two goals in its programs: to increase resiliency and protective factors in at-risk and underprivileged youth.

SOS reaches out to its participants by providing a high quality, resilience-based program that:
* Positively impacts self-esteem and ability to participate positively within their communities.
* Supports underserved youth through adult mentorship.
* Encourages character education through SOS's five core values of: Courage, Discipline, Integrity, Wisdom and Compassion.
* Fosters an appreciation of the outdoors and healthy lifestyle choices in all participants.
* Sets personal, academic and athletic goals with kids and provides vocational skills training.

SOS is recognized nationally for its impact. The 2006 Active Youth Summit, sponsored by Harvard University Program in Education, Afterschool & Resiliency, recognized SOS Outreach as a best practice provider of sports-based youth development programs. Further, United States Senator Ken Salazar (D-Colorado) joined SOS in December 2007 to launch our transition to include skiing. He highlighted that SOS is giving young people a chance to live up to the full potential of their humanity.

Participants have the opportunity to complete seven years of character development curriculum across three programs.

Diversity was created to provide Denver area youth with a two day introduction to skiing and snowboarding and the SOS curriculum. Participants are provided professional instruction, equipment rental, lift tickets and clothing. The program incorporates the core values of integrity and compassion. Program graduates are eligible for Learn to Ride.

Learn To Ride (LTR) provides each participant with five days of professional ski or snowboard instruction, equipment rental, lift tickets and clothing. Each day focuses on one of the SOS core values to promote self-image, positive relationships, social competencies and positive values.

University is a four year, plus opportunity of working with at-risk and underprivileged youth to further increase their resiliency and protective factors. Each year features five days on the mountain and an increasing number of off-hill days. Participants complete service projects, health and wellness clinics and internships in partnership with a community mentor. Similar to LTR, each ride day focuses on one of the SOS core values.

http://www.sosoutreach.org

Contact Information For This Listing

(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Development Director, Full-Time Staff Member

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