PRESS (2025)
Youth with Disabilities Working and Accomplishing Their Dreams
Truth Be Told
April 28, 2025
WASHINGTON—Ten years ago, Kai Penic was nonverbal and his mother struggled to bring him out of his shell. Today, the mother and son have full conversations and Kai has made an impact in the music industry by performing at the Kennedy Center and singing for the band Earth, Wind & Fire.
There is a longstanding myth that individuals with disabilities are not capable of being functioning members of society but the nonprofit So Kids SOAR (SKS) always presumes competence over assuming inability. The organization provides free in-person and virtual adaptive clinics for youth with physical and developmental disabilities.
How So Kids SOAR Is Empowering Youth with Disabilities
Grit Daily | Apple News
February 19, 2025
With the new presidential administration promising cuts to Medicaid and scaling back federal involvement in education policy and funding, there may be unpredictable but widespread effects for students with disabilities and their families. That’s why organizations like So Kids SOAR, which provide life-changing opportunities to youth with physical and developmental disabilities, have become even more vital.
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A Cycle of Empowerment
So Kids SOAR, initially founded as a set of adaptive sports clinics offering ice hockey, waterskiing, and other activities to youth with disabilities, has evolved over the past fifteen years into something much greater: a three-stage suite of youth empowerment programming.
Why You Should Be a Leader Who Focuses First
On Lifting Others
Thrive Global
February 20, 2025
Great leaders lift others, creating thriving environments. This boosts morale and development through mentorship and feedback. As So Kids Soar's Glenda Smith says, everyone needs to feel needed.
There are many qualities that go into becoming a great leader. But to become truly great requires more than just competency in your industry. The best leaders are authentic and have a clear vision for what they want to accomplish.
As part of this, they aren’t focused on themselves. Instead, they’re focused on lifting others and helping them achieve their potential. When leaders focus first on lifting others, rather than stressing about their own prestige or personal gain, they ultimately create an environment that allows everyone to thrive.
Community DC Interview with Dennis Glasgow
iHeart Media | 97.1 WASH | 98.7 WMZQ | HOT 99.5 | 1190 iHeart Sports DC | BIG 100 | DC101
January 12, 2025
So Kids SOAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides life-changing programs that empower youth with physical and developmental disabilities to Strive, Own, Achieve and Realize their potential.
Our So Kids SOAR team is comprised of four main groups: Board of Directors, Emeritus Advisory Council, Parent's Committee, and Ambassadors. However you choose to give, we are thankful for you! Make a one-time or monthly donation, volunteer individually or with a group, become one of our beloved Sponsors and Partners, or find even more ways to give.
Past Press (2020 - 2024)
Making memories on the ice, Caps players skate with So Kids SOAR
ABC7
December 4, 2024
ARLINGTON, Va. (7News) — Sports always somehow find a way to connect people by creating heroes.
Every season, the Washington Capitals do a fantastic job of building that bridge to communities all across the DMV region.
‘Realize their dreams': So Kids Soar helps young people with disabilities
NBC
September 20, 2024
Building self-confidence in people with physical and developmental disabilities is a major commitment of D.C. nonprofit So Kids Soar. That’s why they were selected as an NBC4 Telemundo44 Local Impact grant winner. News4’s Molette Green spotlights how this organization is changing lives, and how the grant will help.
NBC4, Telemundo 44 and Comcast NBCUniversal grant $227,000 in unrestricted funds to 8 local nonprofits
NBC
August 28, 2024
NBC4, Telemundo 44 and Comcast NBCUniversal announced $227,000 has been awarded to eight local nonprofit organizations through the 2024 NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants. Since 2018, NBC4 and Telemundo 44 have now provided more than $1.5 million to 59 nonprofits through the grant program.
How So Kids SOAR & Nicole Barnhart are Empowering Youth with Disabilities
WASHINGTON SPIRIT
September 5, 2024
Women’s soccer legend Nicole “Barnie” Barnhart has a long list of achievements: two Olympic gold medals, two NWSL Championships, 2013 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year award, and the NWSL record for most clean sheets in a career, to name a few. But lesser known to those accolades is her long-standing connection to and support of the disabled community.
SOARING to New Heights
Fairfax County Times
July 26, 2024
Frank Hickok, sometimes still referred to as Frankie by his family, is 17. He has Down Syndrome, and other than a few words like no, he is non-verbal. Yara Hickok is from Bolivia, while Scott Hickok is from here, so Spanish and English are regularly spoken at home. Frank understands both languages and even a little bit of Serbian. The family is involved with several organizations that work with neurodiverse students; they find So Kids SOAR to be especially helpful.
'So Kids SOAR' opening a door for youth with disabilities in DC
WJLA
November 27, 2023
The rise in youth crime has shown us that young people need more of our attention. That also includes kids with disabilities. They need support and an outlet. Glenda Fu Smith, the Executive Director of So Kids SOAR, spoke to 7News about the differences they are trying to make.
Free water sports clinic in Fairfax Co. this weekend for children with disabilities
WTOP
July 8, 2024
At a free event in Fairfax County, Virginia, this weekend, children with physical or developmental disabilities will get to go water skiing, kayaking, tubing, paddle boarding, canoeing and more.
“They get to be seen, they get to be heard,” said Kierra Johnson, a programs analyst with D.C. nonprofit So Kids SOAR. “They get to be themselves, they get to gain confidence.”
The Good Side: Adaptive Sports Help Kids Soar
GRAY TV
January 24, 2024
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - This week on “The Good Side” Debra Alfarone looks at adaptive sports. She introduces viewers to So Kids SOAR, a nonprofit helping empower youth with physical and developmental disabilities to “strive, own, achieve and realize their potential”. Debra gets out on the ice with families, hockey pros, and volunteers for a fun-filled day of skating and games.
Former Washington Capitals defenseman launches youth sports foundation
WTOP
March 21, 2024
Former Washington Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner and his wife Mandy both know the benefits of playing sports, but they’re also aware of the roadblocks.
“There’s adversity, there’s challenges that you have to be able to overcome,” Karl said. “You also are put on a team with tons of different types of kids, some that are similar to you (and) some that are different.”
Charlie Lindgren and wife Mikkayla announce Lindy’s Lineup, an adaptive youth sports program
Russian Machine Never Breaks
November 10, 2023
Washington Capitals backup goaltender Charlie Lindgren and his wife Mikkayla announced on Friday that they’ve started a program called Lindy’s Lineup. The goal of the program is to provide opportunities in adaptive sports for local youth and children enrolled in special education classrooms.
So Kids SOAR HONORED AS MLS UNVEILS 2023 ALL-STAR HOMETOWN HEROES
MLS
June 27, 2023
This honor recognizes the work of impactful organizations and leaders who are making positive change in the communities of the District of Columbia and that embody D.C. United’s community values of empowerment, opportunity and service.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC CREATING PARTICULAR CHALLENGES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
FOX5 DC
NOVEMEBER 20, 2020
Dreams for Kids DC, an organization that provides free programs for people with special needs, helps Varghese push through these difficult times.
Executive Director Glenda Smith said what families are struggling with the most is isolation and not being able to directly interact with teachers and friends.
EMPOWERING CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES FOR THE FUTURE
ABC 7 - WJLA
MARCH 11, 2020
Dreams For Kids DC will collaborate with The Peruvian Brothers in hosting its second annual Cooking Clinic for youth with physical and developmental disabilities. In addition, the event will offer one on one volunteers to assist the children while they enjoy various outdoor activities.