SOS Outreach

Overview

SOS Outreach is a national youth development 501(c)3 non-profit that utilizes outdoor experiential learning to inspire positive decision making for healthy and successful lives.[1] Every SOS program incorporates the six core values of courage, discipline, integrity, wisdom, compassion, and humility. SOS mentors help students define and practice these core values as they provide a consistent adult presence for students who may not otherwise have a positive role model in their lives. Targeting kids with poor grades, low attendance and behavioral issues, SOS intervenes in situations that typically lead to high school dropout. The programs are designed to establish protective factors such as social skill practice, physical health knowledge, safe and supportive relationships, and community bonds. SOS teaches a year-round, multi-year progressive curriculum, focusing on character development, values-based leadership training, social justice advocacy, and peer mentoring.

Fast Facts

(Figures are from fiscal year July 1,2011 - June 30, 2012)

Programs

SOS Outreach offers progressive multi-year programs to facilitate long-term development of participants. All programs offer the value-based leadership curriculum that enhances the experience for students by promoting self-respect, positive relationships, social justice and positive values. Students discuss and discover the meaning of the core values: courage, discipline, integrity, wisdom, compassion and humility. SOS Sherpas(adult mentors) are crucial to the success, as they provide a positive role model and the necessary support and guidance for a transformative experience, and encourage the students to uncover the way these values affect the student's everyday actions.

History

Growth

Since inception, SOS Outreach has grown to serve over 5,000 kids annually. Headquarters are based in Vail Valley, Colorado with additional outposts near Breckenridge, Denver, Lake Tahoe, and Seattle. In winter 2012/13, the organization partnered with thirty-two ski resorts in nine states to provide outdoor experiential learning to at-risk and underprivileged youth through downhill skiing and snowboarding. SOS Outreach has partnered with mountain resorts, governmental agencies, youth agencies, foundations, and corporations.

Operating Regions

(Figures are from fiscal year July 1,2011 - June 30, 2012)

Outcomes [2]

SOS Outreach is dedicated to gathering quantitative and qualitative data to improve the curriculum. Each student completes a pre-evaluation survey when they register for the program and a post-evaluation upon graduation. SOS uses an evaluation tool called the “Individual Protective Factors Scale.” The scale was created by Professor Peter Witt from the University of Texas A&M and it enables SOS to determine if its programs are successful by measuring which protective factors in participants are strengthened. Participants in the survey are given a scale of 1=strongly disagree to 5=strongly to answer questions pertaining to the protective factors. The program staff distributes the survey before the program session and again upon completion.

During the 2009/2010 season, SOS saw an increase in nine of the ten protective factors, while one category saw no change. Significant increases were seen in five of the 10 areas measured:

Further, all program staff, volunteers and teachers receive a qualitative survey at the end of the program session. The survey provides important feedback on the impact of SOS programs and highlights opportunities for growth. SOS analyzes the surveys at the end of each season to identify program improvements.

SOS evaluation results demonstrate that the programs provide participants with the necessary structure, positive interactions, and opportunities to succeed academically, athletically and personally.

In 2008 and 2011, RRC Associates from Boulder, Colorado facilitated an in-depth survey of SOS participants. Some highlights of impact include:

In 2012, SOS was also the focus of a doctoral dissertation that investigated the process by which at-risk youth build resiliency. Dr. Lisa Schrader's findings demonstrated that the longer students are engaged in the core value based leadership program, the more they are integrating and utilizing the benefits in all areas of their lives. The opportunities SOS provides, including engagement with positive adult role models, and the longevity of its programs, create the organization's impact.

Awards/Accolades

Finances [7]

(Figures are from fiscal year July 1,2011 - June 30, 2012)

Expense Allocation

Board of Directors

References

  1. ↑ "SOS Outreach About Us". SOS Outreach. 2012. Retrieved 2013-04-18. http://www.sosoutreach.org/page/about-sos-1
  2. ↑ "SOS Outreach Evaluation". SOS Outreach. n.d. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
  3. ↑ "SOS Outreach Receives Nonprofit of the Year Award". Vail Partnership. 2014. Retrieved 2014-03-21.http://www.vailvalleypartnership.com/general.asp?id=114
  4. ↑ "SOS Outreach Receives National Outdoor Award" (PDF). Up2Us. 2012. Retrieved 2013-04-18.http://www.up2us.org/uploads/reports/up2us_report.pdf
  5. ↑ "SOS Outreach Receives National Outdoor Award". Transworld Daily. 2009-03-02. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
  6. ↑ "Vail's Menconi wins diversity award". Vail Daily. 2009-04-20. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
  7. ↑ "SOS Outreach Financials". SOS Outreach. n.d. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
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