SOAR employees serve on a number of committees, boards and collaborative projects. This allows for identification of emerging needs, connectivity among service providers and area businesses, access to up-to-date data and research and provides a venue to troubleshoot system-wide issues that impact our participants. SOAR's involvement includes:
Wealth, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Sustainability (WEES) Working Group SOAR is an active participant in WEES along with Duluth Workforce Development, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Family Rise, Entrepreneur Fund and community consultants. The group believes in working toward system change and inspiring collaboration between existing and new organizations, including those led by and serving communities of color, to reduce disparities and close the opportunity gaps for African Heritage and Indigenous people. While honoring lived experiences, the WEES working group believed in creating a safe space for African Heritage/Black and Brown and Indigenous communities to prosper. The WEES working group is coordinating the implementation of workforce development and entrepreneurship strategies in support of families and individuals in wealth building.
Transition Coalition – SOAR serves as the lead coordinator for the Transition Coalition, made up of community-based organizations, the MN Department of Corrections, landlords, probation/parole and other criminal justice involved groups. The goal of the Coalition is to increase awareness of current practices, resources and services to provide support and stability for persons involved within the criminal justice system.
