SOAR’s mission is to provide people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in outdoor accessible activities and help provide them with accessible equipment. There are many benefits to accessing the outdoors: 1) mental, physical & emotional health and wellness, 2) spending quality time with family & friend, and 3) most importantly to view and enjoy all of God’s creation.
We believe that recovery consists of healing the mind, not just the body and that recovery is a journey, not a destination. Being in touch with God’s creation draws us closer to the healing journey of love, grace, peace and joy of fellowship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Therefore the goal of SOAR is to provide not only outdoor accessible equipment and activities but also the resources for people to improve the quality of their life through fellowship.
SOAR provides outdoor accessible recreational opportunities for physically challenged people and families and individuals in need with a key focus of improving the lives of those with spinal cord injuries. We will motivate, inspire and create opportunities for people with disabilities who are emotionally, physically and therapeutically in need. SOAR believes that recovery consists of healing the mind, not just the body and that recovery is a journey, not a destination.
SOAR is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that believes that much can be done in providing improved accessibility and promoting availability of these resources to persons with disabilities. We realize that educating people with disabilities as well as the able bodied citizens of this state is necessary to enhance the opportunities for outdoor recreation for everyone. SOAR will promote accessible recreation to persons with disabilities as well as the general public through special events, newsletters and community education. SOAR will assist in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and work closely with many state, local and private organizations to develop, enhance and/or support recreational opportunities for the disabled across Illinois and other states. We are dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
SOAR along with founder Brian Swift were selected to receive the Saint Xavier University 2017 Sister Dorothy Marie Peschon Award. This award is presented to an alumnus who serves s an exemplary volunteer and supporter of the University’s endeavors. Recipients of the award embody the values of the Sisters of Mercy in pursuit of opening new doors to students.
PLEASE CONSIDER GIVING US YOUR SUPPORT TODAY. ONLY TWO SIMPLE STEPS REQUIRED. FIRST, REGISTER YOUR NAME ON THIS NETWORK BY CLICKING THE REGISTER BUTTON IN THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER, AND SECOND CLICK THE BLUE SPONSOR TAB ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PAGE TO PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT. YOUR SUPPORT IS CRUCIAL. PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING TODAY. MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU IN KIND.
YOU MAY ALSO SUPPORT SOAR BY PURCHASING ONE OF BRIAN SWIFT'S BOOKS:
In the pages of Godly Men Make Godly Fathers! You will meet fathers from diverse upbringings and family structures. You will meet men who have endured significant tests to their faith and tragedy and others who have experienced great triumphs. These fathers will take you on a heartfelt journey. Each chapter tackles a unique viewpoint and is written with unconditional faith and love.
Even though The Unofficial Guide to Fatherhood and UP Getting UP is the key to Life sold over 1000 copies and spent time as an Amazon Bestseller, I must admit my mission was incomplete. There were still fathers struggling, still dads with questions, and still men with inspiring stories to share.
A collection of fathers from across the globe share and implement lessons they learned through their Christian faith to encourage fathers, sons, and families. In this book these men share their Christian values in hopes of spreading the message of joy, love, and family that transcends race, cultures, and generations.
A Story of Inspiration
Hope and Insight into the Extraordinary Live of an Ordinary Man Living as a C5/6 Quadriplegic.
CHICAGO – Thirty-four years ago, Chicagoan Brian Swift’s neck was broken while playing football with his friends on the sunny, chilly day after Christmas, 1979, at the age of seventeen. As he found the courage and strength to recover, graduate from high school, earn his college degree, and earn his Juris Doctor degree as a quadriplegic, he also found his purpose: to achieve more than expected, and to aspire to the best he can be.
Up: Getting Up is the Key to Life is the creation of the author in which he shares his personal paradigm for mental, emotional, and spiritual recovery and facing the challenges of life as quadriplegic. It is the author’s hope to inspire those with similar injuries and give hope to their medical caregivers, family, and loved ones.
About the Author. He instructs that recovery consists of healing the mind, not just the body and that recovery is a journey, not destination. For more than 34 years, Brian P. Swift has lived as a C6 quadriplegic and was nominated by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation as one of the Top Ten Dads on Wheels in 2013.
The father of three adopted children and a husband of over 24 years, Brian developed his strategy of success, CIA: Commitment, Integrity, and Attitude. With his engaging style and practical wisdom, Brian will leave you invigorated to face your own struggles with hope, faith, and purpose!
Learn more at www.brianpswift.com
T3B Table Top Therapy Bags $15
Great wheelchair workout or exercise while sitting!
Table Top Therapy Bags can be used to strengthen arms, shoulders, body core, heart, lungs and balance. A punching bag can build strength in muscles throughout your vertical body core including the neck, chest and abs. The longer you continue the punching bag workout, the greater the cardiovascular training you’ll receive. The constant stream of arm punches that you throw when using a bag is particularly effective for working the wrist, arms, shoulders and toning the triceps and biceps
SOAR T-Shirt $15
Swift Outdoor Accessible Recreation
SOAR Embroidered Hat $20
One size fits all
Tom Higgins Charitable Grant
This is a once a year grant that SOAR will be responsible for granting, in the form of equipment and based on need, that will be determined by a combination of at least two board or executives of SOAR.
The mission of SOAR is to provide programs, services and equipment to improve the emotional and physical quality of life for people with disabilities along with families and individuals in need by creating outdoor accessible environments. As we grow and reach our long term goals we will be able to provide other grant opportunities. Please be patient as we update our grant form which will download to your computer. Please fill out the entire form and either fax it to 708-478-8695 or mail it to SOAR 10254 W. 195th Street Mokena, Illinois 60448 for grant consideration.
SOME OF OUR GRANT RECIPIENTS
OUR FUNDRAISERS
Twisted Aces Fundraiser 2017
2016 Manteno Triathlon
First S.O.A.R. Fundraiser
Grants, Financial Assistance Links, Resources & More!
Federally based Home Modifications http://www.homeadvisor.com/r/grants…
Misc. Home Modification Grants http://www.spinalcord.org/resource-…
How To Find Housing http://www.spinalcord.org/resource-…
Available Grants (If you qualify) for people with disabilities http://www.spinalcord.org/resource-…
Diagnosis Based Assistance Programs for Those with SCI’s http://www.needymeds.org/copay_dise…
Financial Assistance Links http://www.spinalcord.org/resource-…
ALL Federal Disability Resources https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/dis…
Financial help for the disabled AND MANY OTHER RESOURCES ON THE LEFT HAND TAB! https://facingdisability.com/resour…
Your ENTIRE “NEED TO KNOW” about SCI Resource Center http://www.spinalcord.org/resource-…
International Guide to Independent Living Organizations around the world listed by country or state. http://www.independentliving.org/do…
International Spinal Cord Resource Center http://www.spinalcord.org/resource-…
Adaptive Clothing for Wheelchair Users http://adaptationsbyadrian.com/
Empowerment
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Oct 22, 2017
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