SOAR's mission is to help end epidemic levels of loneliness and social isolation through unique programs and community collaborations.
SOAR Together, Inc.
More Details
SOAR Together, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Grounded in research that a direct correlation exists between positive social connections, increased levels of individual and community contentment, and improved health outcomes, the goal of SOAR’s unique programs is to create a reverberative effect such that an exponential number of lives are touched than the number of program participants. SOAR exists to help people find their own contented place of social connection.
Our Name
SOAR is an acronym which stands for the four interrelated categories of needs the organization and its specific programmatic designs meet: Social, Occupational, Artistic, and Recreational.
Our Programs
FLOWER POWER: SOAR Together's Flower Rescue Program is an intergenerational program through which rescued for those at-risk of loneliness and social isolation. The SOAR Together team immerses participants in the colorful world of flower arranging through a creative service project making individualized arrangements for those at-risk of loneliness and social isolation while seamlessly guiding them through a program to heighten their social connection skills in the ultimate win-win. The flower arrangements are gifted to a nonprofit of the group’s choosing, providing the added benefit of serving together to support their local community.
The operational model for SOAR's Flower Rescue Program is an environmentally-responsible one which helps reduce carbon footprint and waste by transporting surplus, salvageable flowers from grocers, florists, and farms to individuals, agencies, and communities in need of uplifting and social connection. SOAR fills a gap in the supply chain of flower exchange, ensuring flowers and their packaging are cleaned, arranged, and circulated to those at-risk of loneliness and social isolation (and their often devastating health impacts).
SPREADING SUNSHINE: A newly-launched program in 2025, Spreading Sunshine highlights SOAR's deep passion for connecting with community members who are socially-isolated/homebound for varying reasons. A volunteer-led effort, refreshed bouquets inked with the message "You Are Loved" are quietly left at the doorsteps of those in Redding, Bethel, Norwalk, and Ridgefield who can use an uplift. With suggested recipients coming in from fellow community members as well as in partnership with local social services offices, SOAR has delivered to over 300 doorsteps in the first few months of 2025.
SOCIAL SEATS: SOAR Together's Social Seats program is a supportive dining-out experience primarily for those contending with social isolation. Companies and individuals sponsor seats at the table, providing opportunities for social connection to those in-need of engagement at no cost to the attendees. SOAR provides trained staff/volunteers (SOAR Social Sparks) to ensure conversation flows and the time together uplifts moods and raises levels of social interaction.
SOAR STROLLS/WALK & TALKS: A therapeutic model of caregiver respite, as well as time spent in a cathartic setting along the ocean, SOAR Strolls is a weekly Sunday spring/summer/fall walk program at Sherwood Island State Park. Far more about the "social" than the "stroll," conversation always flows with a stunning ocean backdrop and attendees leave refreshed and renewed for the start of a new week. In 2024, we are going to introduce some Flower Power time by the ocean as well, thus attendees can choose to walk some and do some cathartic flower arranging as well.
GRATEFUL GATHERINGS: A new series launched in 2025, Grateful Gatherings are hosted at the historic Lounsbury House in Ridgefield and provide community members of all ages an opportunity to gather for coffee, treats, and social connection time while creating floral bouquets for those in their lives who can use uplifting as well as those who are homebound and area nonprofit partners such as Person To Person, Norwalk Hospital, and Open Doors Shelter.
LET's CHAT MEETUPS: Another new program launched in 2025 as an extension of SOAR's Let's Chat program now in area restaurants, cafes, schools, senior centers, and Boys & Girls Clubs, our MeetUPs are intergenerational gatherings at local establishments to provide opportunities for those of all ages and stages to connect.
Current Total
$460
Of $2,500 Fundraising Goal
$400 in Donations +
$60 Bonus Bucks sponsored by Webster Bank
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82 Days Remaining to Donate