Youth development nonprofit SOS Outreach announced Tuesday that it plans to award an estimated $45,000 in scholarships to families this winter season. According to a press release, SOS Outreach engages over 3,000 youth annually across 10 states and 15 communities and helps young people develop life skills through the “power of mentorship in the outdoors.” “It is central to the mission of SOS Outreach that no family is denied participation based on financial limitations,” said SOS’ Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Williams, “and we provide all programs at a significantly discounted rate to ensure affordability and accessibility.”The cost to an organization for SOS’s introductory program $675 per youth, which includes five on-mountain ride days with a ski/snowboard instructor. The fee-for-service charged to families is $100. For SOS’ Mentor Program, which includes five on-mountain ride days, multiple off-mountain workshops, and community service activities, the cost to the organization is $2,000 per child, and the fee-for-service charged to families is $150. SOS said it has found that charging some a fee for service increases a sense of ownership and buy-in to the program for families and helps youth be motivated to show up since they’re financially invested. The nonprofit said it fundraises “significant dollars” nationally and locally in order to offer programs at these rates. Families who can not afford the fee for service are awarded scholarships to ensure their children can still participate in the program. To participate, youth must undergo a strength and needs assessment and must qualify for two needs out of a list of approximately 25. These needs range from having difficulties in school to struggling with mental health to coming from a low-income household. Out of the over 3,000 youth who participate in SOS, 45.7% come from low-income households or households that make less than $40,000 per year, the nonprofit said. Last year, SOS gave scholarships to 590 youth and said it anticipates giving away a similar amount this season. “SOS not only provides access to the mountains, but through our multi-year mentor program, we are giving youth access to so many opportunities and resources that extend far beyond the outdoors,” said Williams. SOS said it receives in-kind support, valued at $4.8M, from its founding partner Vail Resorts and other local mountain partners for the access and professional skiing/snowboarding instruction, lift tickets, season passes and gear rentals. The costs to the organization does not include the in-kind contributions, but all of the operational costs to deliver the program’s progressive positive youth development curriculum on and off the mountain, the nonprofit said. In an additional effort to continue providing mountain access, Vail Resorts’ Epic Promise has provided SOS with special alumni 10-day passes for any alumni who re-engage with the organization as volunteers, the nonprofit said. “We know that there are financial barriers to participate in the sport and wanted to make sure that young people still had access even after they graduate from the program,” said Travis Tafoya, Epic Promise’s senior manager of inclusive access and SOS alum and board member. “Just because you age out of the program does not mean you have to age out of the mountains”. SOS is set to kick off its 2024-25 winter season in December with over 3,000 young people hitting the slopes through SOS programs. To learn more, visit sosoutreach.org.The post SOS Outreach to award $45,000 in scholarships for its outdoor-based mentorship program appeared first on Park Record.