SOAR Program Empowers Students with Unique Abilities

Lively Technical College’s Success for Occupational Area Readiness (SOAR) program is making waves in workforce development thanks to its innovative approach and strong support from Florida State Representative Allison Tant. The SOAR program, which provides opportunities and support for students with unique abilities in the classroom and workplace, has been making significant strides in preparing these students for successful careers.

Expanding Impact and Achievements

The SOAR program has been on a trajectory of growth and success, with a recently approved 1.3-million-dollar grant to be spent over three years, a clear sign of its expanding impact. The program coordinator, Judith Husband Wiley, expressed her pride in the students’ achievements, stating, “I am so proud of the accomplishments of the students in the program. SOAR provides opportunities and support for students with unique abilities in the classroom and the workplace.” This school year (2024-2025), 26 scholarships were awarded, marking another step in the program’s growth and the increasing number of adults with disabilities joining the workforce.

Strong Support from Representative Allison Tant

Representative Allison Tant, a strong advocate for students with unique abilities, has supported the SOAR program throughout North Florida. She recently shared her reasons for supporting the program, stating, “It is the promise and possibility of the students with unique abilities to do what others said they could not do. The instructors at Lively are instructing these students just like non-disabled students. It shows that they can do the same jobs. Plus, they are loyal and more reliable employees.”

Inclusive Employer Award and Ambassador Award

The SOAR program’s commitment to building business partnerships has been recognized with the Ambassador Award from the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities (FCSUA). SpringHill Suites, a local hotel, was chosen as the 2024 Inclusive Employer by the FCSUA, a prestigious award recognizing companies demonstrating a solid commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. SpringHill Suites provided paid internships to two SOAR students and then hired them following the completion of the program.

Programs Offered and Eligibility

The SOAR program offers enrollment in various programs, including Automotive Service Technology 1, Building Trades & Construction Design Technology, Nails Specialty, Facial Specialty, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration 1, and Fundamental Foodservice Skills. To be eligible for the SOAR program, students must have a documented intellectual disability and meet specific criteria related to their reading, writing, scheduling, and social abilities.

Lively Technical College’s SOAR program significantly impacts the lives of students with unique abilities thanks to its innovative approach, strong support from Representative Allison Tant, and partnerships with local businesses. By providing opportunities for these students to develop essential skills and secure employment, the SOAR program is transforming lives and contributing to the growth of a thriving workforce in North Florida.

For more information on the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities, check out their website: www.fcsua.org. To learn more about the SOAR Program, visit https://www.livelytech.com/about/soar.