SOAR

SOAR
(Students Overcoming Adversity & Recidivism)

Students Overcoming Adversity & Recidivism (SOAR) is a campus-based support program and community for formerly incarcerated students, current and former foster youth, homeless students and other students facing unique barriers and who are in need of academic support and resources while in college.

Students! Please complete the SOAR Interest Form.

SOAR will contact you with 1-2 business days.

For more information on Foster Youth / Guardian Scholars, go to: http://www.solano.edu/counseling/fysi.php

Program Overview

SOAR is a program for formerly incarcerated students, which is expanded to serve foster youth, homeless, and other vulnerable student populations, at Solano Community College. We provide a stigma-free environment where SOAR Scholars can study, learn and grow on their path from reentry through graduation and beyond. We provide mentorship to formerly incarcerated students/re-entry, foster youth, unhoused students, and other vulnerable students and connect them with college and community resources so they can achieve their educational, personal and career goals.

SOAR is dedicated to eliminating the stigma of being formerly incarcerated.

SOAR recognizes the impact of mass incarceration and believes that public resources are better invested in education.

SOAR honors the potential in all people and seeks to change the narrative that being formerly incarcerated determines a person’s worth and ability.

SOAR understands that education can break the cycle of recidivism, make our communities safer and build a more just and democratic society. Education is a pathway for transformation and liberation.

Students Serving Students Internship Program

Beginning Spring 2021, SOAR will launch the Students Serving Students internship program, by providing supervision of 3-5 student interns majoring in Human Services, who in partial fulfillment of their field study requirements, will serve our re-entry, foster youth, unhoused students, and other vulnerable student populations. For more info, contact: bryan.stewart@solano.edu, 707-864-4442.

FAQs

Any formerly incarcerated person who is interested in enrolling at Solano Community College is eligible for SOAR. A formerly incarcerated person is anyone who has been to juvenile hall, military detention, county jail, or state or federal prison for any amount of time. 

If you are formerly incarcerated and are thinking about starting or returning to school, please call us at (707) 864-7194, email us at soar@solano.edu, or drop by Room 435 on the main campus so that we can assist you with enrolling and acclimating to the Solano Community College campus. If you are already a student, we provide a stigma free space where you can study, learn and grow with other like minded students.

  • Assistance with registration and financial aid/fee waiver processes
  • Academic and career counseling
  • Personal and career development seminars and workshops
  • Peer support
  • Referrals for on/off campus services
  • Academic tutoring and access to technology
  • Assistance with Clean Slate petitions
  • Health and wellness counseling
  • Book vouchers
  • Campus tours and outreach 
  • Bus passes
  • Access to food and pantry services

If you are interested in becoming a SOAR Scholar, please call (707) 864-7194, email soar@solano.edu or come by our office in Room 435 on the Fairfield campus. 

You can also submit an interest form here.

Provide access to higher education! Help a SOAR student pay for college.

Meet Our SOAR Staff

Need More Information? Contact Us!