SOAR Career Solutions

SOAR was founded in 1983 as Project SOAR to help women gain skills to enter into the workforce. In 2005, the name changed to SOAR Career Solutions and now supports both men and women with their career development needs.
Mission: SOAR inspires personal transformation through career development.
SOAR provides innovative programming that moves people to sustainable employment, contributing to a prosperous community.
Goal 1: Programming will reflect the needs of the clients so that,
• 80% of clients increase knowledge and/or skills in employment services;
• 70% of clients enrolled in programming obtain diploma/GED, certification, credential and/or degree; and
• 50% of clients enrolled in programming obtain employment.
Goal 2: Increase both individual and corporate donations by 30% over previous year.
Goal 3: SOAR is recognized and respected as a leader in re-entry and career development and workforce and is accessed by people of all socio-economic levels.

Participants work 1:1 with SOAR Career Specialists to address job search and retention skills. Utilizing an individual’s Holland Code, D.I.S.C., TABE and Learning Style assessment results, Career Specialists work with the participant to identify their skills and interests and develop an individualized education and/or employment plan. Career Specialists utilize MN Dept of Employment &Economic Development’s employment outlook data tools to identify occupations in demand for the Northeast region, determine educational needs and pay structures for different occupational fields, and identify occupational projections. Together, the participants and Career Specialists will work on finding the right employment and focus on topics such as: career planning, resume writing, interview skills, and holistic stability planning. SOAR staff refer participants to appropriate agencies as individual needs arise but continue to manage the caseloads for up to one year after obtaining employment.

Leadership staff is well-established and has multiple years’ of combined grant/contract management experience. SOAR partners with local workforce entities to implement short-term job skills trainings to help clients obtain certifications and/or credentials in occupations that are in high-demand industries. SOAR is currently recruiting clients for over-the-road truck drivers, certified nursing assistants, health care workers and machine operators. Trainings are implemented in partnership with the Duluth Workforce Center, Adult Basic Education, Lake Superior College and employer partners.

Since 2006, SOAR has been awarded over $4.48 million in Federal funds, $1.68 million in MN state funds, and $1.64 million in local funds. Evaluation and data management systems are well established and sufficient to report on reporting requirements. Leadership staff is well-established and has multiple years’ of combined grant/contract management experience. Since inception, SOAR has worked with over 13,000 individuals.

In Fiscal Year 2017-18:
91% of clients demonstrate an increased knowledge and/or skills in employment services;
79% of clients enrolled in programming obtain diploma/GED, certification, credential and/or degree; and
78% of clients enrolled in programming obtain employment.
31% three-year recidivism rate; compared to 68% three-year national average; and
Reduction of reliance on public assistance on an average of $4,773 per person per year.