Our Story
Built on a Mission Bigger Than Us
SOAR — Students Offering Aid & Relief operates under TECHO, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to overcoming poverty and improving living conditions in vulnerable communities across Latin America and the Caribbean.
The name TECHO, meaning “roof,” reflects its commitment to helping families access safe, dignified housing and creating opportunities for communities to build a better future.
The Beginning of SOAR
Where It All Started
SOAR was born from a simple question: How can students turn their desire to help into meaningful action?
Inspired by TECHO’s work and the belief that young people can play an active role in creating change, SOAR was created as a student-led initiative under TECHO. Its purpose was to create a space where students could move beyond wanting to help and have tangible opportunities to do so.
From the beginning, SOAR has brought together students, volunteers, donors, organizations, and community partners around a shared commitment to service.
Through fundraising events, resource drives, community projects, partnerships, and hands-on experiences, SOAR has worked to connect people with causes that matter and support TECHO’s mission.
From an Idea to Action
What started as an idea quickly became a growing community of people willing to give their time, resources, energy, and skills.
Our first initiatives showed us what can happen when people come together with a common purpose. Each event, partnership, and project became another step toward building a culture where service is not simply something we participate in, but something we carry with us.
SOAR began with an idea. It continues because people chose to act on it.
Building of Pedro Familia's Home in Dominican Republic