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Marissa Kohlrus-Green and Nathaniel Carlson, Program Coordinators for SOAR speak to Riverbend Rotary

SOAR Program Equips Madison County Youth with Resilience and Life Skills

October 24, 20243 min read

SOAR Program Equips Madison County Youth with Resilience and Life Skills

Riverbend Rotary recently hosted an enlightening presentation by Marissa Kohlrus-Green and Nathaniel Carlson, coordinators of SOAR (Students learning the Ongoing Approach to Resilience). This innovative youth development program is designed to empower adolescents by teaching them critical life skills needed to face challenges and develop emotional strength.

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What is SOAR?

SOAR stands for Students learning the Ongoing Approach to Resilience and serves youth aged 12-17, with exceptions made for 18-year-olds on a case-by-case basis. The program is built around weekly group sessions that focus on teaching participants how to handle adversity and develop healthier relationships, emotional intelligence, and empathy. The program offers a structured pathway to personal growth through resilience training, which is critical during the challenging adolescent years.

Group Structure and Requirements

SOAR line drawing

Participants in SOAR are referred through various channels, including the court systems, schools, or self-referrals. Each youth undergoes an intake process, along with pre- and post-test assessments to measure their growth throughout the program. The core of SOAR’s structure is its 10-week group sessions, covering essential topics such as:

  • Understanding and managing emotions

  • Recognizing anger thoughts, triggers, and warning signs

  • Navigating healthy romantic and non-romantic relationships

  • Conflict resolution skills

  • Developing empathy and addressing bullying

  • Understanding the impacts of violence

  • Building personal resiliency and self-care strategies

soar parental engagement

Parent Engagement and Support

Recognizing the importance of family involvement in adolescent development, SOAR offers monthly Parent Engagement sessions. These sessions provide a space for parents to learn alongside their children, giving them tools to support their child’s emotional and behavioral growth. Parents are encouraged to attend as many sessions as they’d like while their child participates in the program.

In addition to the group sessions, SOAR facilitators maintain regular communication with parents through phone check-ins. These check-ins offer a valuable opportunity for parents to ask questions, discuss their child’s behavior, and seek referrals to other resources if needed. The collaborative nature of these discussions ensures that parents are involved in their child’s progress and have the necessary tools to reinforce positive behaviors at home.

Progress Monitoring and Graduation

SOAR also provides regular updates to referral sources, such as courts or schools, ensuring that those who referred participants remain informed about their progress. Ultimately, the decision to graduate a participant from the program rests with the SOAR facilitators, who base their judgment on the participant’s behavior and engagement throughout the course.

A Path to Resilience

SOAR’s mission is to provide Madison County youth with the skills needed to make healthier, more informed decisions in the face of adversity. By fostering emotional awareness, promoting healthy relationships, and teaching conflict resolution, SOAR is helping to shape the next generation into resilient, capable, and empathetic leaders.

This new program has the potential to make a lasting impact on the youth of Madison County, offering them a safe and supportive environment to grow, learn, and thrive. The Riverbend Rotary is excited to see how SOAR will continue to empower local adolescents and create positive change in the community.

Soar Program Coordinators

Marissa Kohlrus-Green and Nathaniel Carlson, coordinators of SOAR (Students learning the Ongoing Approach to Resilience)


www.HelpTeensSOAR.org

SOAR 618-251-9790 • 144 E Ferguson Ave., Wood River, IL

Riverbend Rotary meets on Thursdays at Noon at Senior Services Plus in Alton. To learn more about Riverbend Rotary and become a member, visit our website at riverbendrotary.com.

#RiverbendRotary #Rotary


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Parent-teen emotional supportFamily connection illustrationTeen resilience and encouragementDiversity in family relationshipsPositive parent-child bond drawing SOAR
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Eric McRoy

Eric McRoy is a dedicated community leader and active member of the Riverbend Rotary Club. With a passion for service and a keen interest in making a positive impact on the lives of others, Eric lends his experience and expertise to various local initiatives. As a skilled communicator and enthusiastic volunteer, he enjoys sharing stories of the club's accomplishments, inspiring others to join the mission of creating lasting change in the Riverbend area and beyond.

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What is Rotary?

You've certainly heard about it, but do you really know what is ROTARY? There are several chapters around your neighborhood.

Riverbend Rotary

Our commitment to making a difference extends beyond our local community to create lasting change on a global scale.

We are proud to be part of international efforts, such as END POLIO NOW, which showcases the power of collaboration and dedication in achieving shared goals.

However, our most significant impact

is felt right here in the Riverbend area, where our passion for service and community development is truly transformative.

Our club members work tirelessly to champion local causes, support community projects, and drive sustainable initiatives that enrich the lives of our neighbors.

From mentoring youth and promoting education to fostering environmental stewardship and addressing social challenges, Riverbend Rotary is a catalyst for positive change.

We invite you to join us in our mission to create a brighter future for our community and the world, one project at a time.

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About Rotary District 6460

The Rotary motto: Service Above Self. Rotary, the world’s first service club organization, is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders.

Members of Rotary clubs, known as Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

Rotary District 6460 contains Rotary clubs that serve west central Illinois in the United States of America.

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Hope

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Spirit of Giving

Riverbend Rotary Members Support the Salvation Army's Mission to Transform Lives

Started from the vision of one person.

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Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

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recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000.

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1.4 million friends, neighbors, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

Just A Little Help Can Make Big Difference

1.2 million

There are over 36,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas worldwide, with approximately 1.2 million members.

$4 Billion

The Rotary Foundation, which supports Rotary's humanitarian and educational programs worldwide, has invested over $4 billion in life-changing, sustainable projects since it was founded in 1917.

$2.1 Billion

Rotary in the USA has played a key role in the global effort to eradicate polio, with Rotary members contributing over $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to the cause.

Rotary International's Unwavering Mission: Eradicating Polio and Empowering a Polio-Free World.

Rotary International has been at the forefront of the global fight against polio for over three decades, working tirelessly to eradicate this devastating disease.

Through strategic partnerships with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary has made remarkable strides in immunization efforts, reaching millions of children in even the most remote corners of the world.

Since launching the PolioPlus program in 1985, Rotary International and its partners have helped to reduce polio cases by 99.9%, saving countless lives and preventing lifelong disabilities.

The continued dedication and support of Rotary members worldwide are crucial in achieving a polio-free world, ensuring that future generations can live without the fear of this debilitating disease.

Join us in our unwavering commitment to end polio once and for all, and be part of a global movement that is truly transforming lives and making history.