A Virtual Achievement: Introducing SOAR365 University
Let’s say you want to learn a bit moreabout music and how the notes, when combined, can sound happy or even sad. Spencer West can help. Or maybe you want to pamper yourself at a “spa” with a face mask and cooling cucumber slices to ultimately feel more refreshed, as Morgan Fuqua demonstrates.
Welcome to SOAR365 University, featuring a variety of skill-building and enrichment activity videos for program participants to watch while on-site or at home. For Spencer and Morgan, graduate students majoring in Physical Therapy at VCU, creating the videos was a great way to reach others. “It’s a cliché, but music is the universal language. It connects with everyone,” Spencer explained, while Morgan said her self-care video served as encouragement to “feel more confident in your skin.”
SOAR365 University is designed to “promote personal interest, engage the participants and teaches new skills all at the same time,” added Assistant Vice President Emily Lehmann, with content including the categories: Housing and Management, focusing on independent living skills; Health and Safety to promote personal care and mental health; and Employment Skills with resume writing and job readiness tips. Both Spencer and Morgan used laptops to record their segments; each prepared by outlining key points and drafting a script. “I wanted to make sure it went smoothly,” said Morgan, advising the camera-shy to concentrate instead “on the impact you’re having on someone else’s life.”
Would you like to contribute to SOAR365 University? Then SOAR365 invites you to share your skills and abilities (via live videochat or prerecorded video) with the people we serve! Volunteers can record (or livestream) easy step-by-step activities in the areas of:
Housing and Management (cleaning, managing basic household tasks, etc.);
Health and Safety (journaling, mental wellness, meditation, relaxation, skin care, self-advocacy, rights as a US citizen, how to use public transportation, etc.)
Enrichment (art lessons & games, music lessons & games, sports trivia, sport demos (i.e. basketball, yoga, tae kwon do, other sports, book readings/storytelling, etc.)
To contribute a skill-building or enrichment video, please visit our volunteer overview page to learn more about our onboarding process, then send an email to [email protected]!