Bre Armbrust knows first-hand what it feels like to have adaptive limitations in major life activities like language and mobility. Before the age of 38, Bre had two strokes which left her mildly paralyzed on the right side and were severe enough that she had to learn to talk and walk again. This difficult experience led her to discover the many powerful therapeutic benefits of yoga and now she is in the process of pursuing certification as a yoga therapist. Bre’s strong determination to make these benefits accessible to vulnerable and low-income individuals with chronic physical, neurocognitive, and emotional health conditions led her to SOAR365. Now, in addition to a demanding full-time job and multiple volunteer commitments throughout the community, Bre comes twice a month to conduct 30-minute yoga sessions for individuals in our Adult and Children/Youth Day Services . “I have really enjoyed volunteering so far. I find the staff to be very helpful and I hope that the participants have enjoyed the classes. Two participants even came up with yoga poses in the chair that we all ended up doing. I think I smiled for almost the entire time that I was there .” For her birthday this September, Bre solicited funds via her Facebook page to benefit the mission of SOAR365 and so far she has raised $320! Wow!
Determined volunteers like Bre help the people we serve SOAR! To find out more about available volunteer opportunities , RSVP for an upcoming orientation or send an email to [email protected] !
In January of this year, Amara Nwangwu joined SOAR365 as our very first U of R Bonner Scholar. Bonner Scholars receive scholarship stipends throughout their undergraduate careers in exchange for a long-term service commitment to a non-profit of their choice. Amara chose SOAR365 because of her interest in the field of Clinical Psychology and her commitment to serve people with disabilities. She spent the spring semester getting to know the individuals in the Adult & Children/Youth Services at Saunders and helping the staff in whatever way was needed. After a summer internship at a mental health facility in North Carolina, Amara is back and ready to take on greater responsibilities. ” Continuing my service at SOAR365 this semester has been good. I’ve continued to foster relationships in this diverse community, which has helped me expand my social skills. Although the semester has just begun, I’m looking forward to working on different projects and tasks with different populations of participants.”
Dedicated volunteers like Amara help the people we serve SOAR! To find out more about available volunteer opportunities , RSVP for an upcoming orientation or send an email to [email protected] !