Executive Director, Altruismo

Ben was the Site Director for SOAR’s innagural program at Jones Elementary in 2013 and led the very first SOAR team. Since 2015 Ben has helped grow SOAR from one site to five sites and launch it as an independent non-profit organization branching out from its parent company, Camp War Eagle. Ben has a deeply held belief in the potential that SOAR has to impact NWA!

Development Director, Isibindi

Ellie has spent the last 13 years with non-profit youth programs in NWA, working as a SOAR Site Director since 2016. Her goal as a site director is to foster staff and students as individual leaders so they are eager to face challenges, utilize their strengths, and courageously impact their communities. Ellie dreams of having former SOAR students return to the program as staff and, eventually, parents.

HR Operations Manager, Reveur

Ellery Bacon grew up in Nashville, Tennessee before moving to Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2018. While a junior in college, she began her career with SOAR Afterschool Program as a Program Leader at our Grace Hill site in 2021. She has been in her current role of Administrative Director since 2022. Ellery is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Sciences.

Program Director, Amistad

7 years ago, SOAR stole Ashley Poole’s heart when she was a Program Leader. It had such an impact that she went back to school to get into education and became an elementary school teacher. She taught in Tahlequah, Oklahoma for four years prior to relocating back to Northwest Arkansas to serve as SOAR’s Program Director. Her favorite part of the organization is the relationships that develop to eventually become one big family, and she loves seeing students be empowered!

Grace Hill Site Director, Reveur

Madison is entering her second year as a Site Director at SOAR after serving as both an Intern and Program Leader. She has a background in education and is passionate about providing students with the skills necessary for their future success as students now and professionals in the future.

Jones Site Director, Altruismo

Vanesa fell in love with SOAR the moment she started working in her first role as an admin eight years ago. Vanesa has enjoyed being able to communicate with families, students, and staff in English and Spanish. This is Vanesa’s second year as a site director and she hopes that every person that walks through the doors at SOAR feels loved and welcomed.

Parson Hills Site Director, Amistad

Kenlee Hill is a passionate leader who aims to cultivate an environment of acceptance and celebration for all. She has spent the last 4 years working at SOAR and has taken on different roles throughout her time with SOAR. She is currently serving as a Site Director at Parson Hills. Her goal as a Site Director is to encourage connection and compassion to all program students, staff, and families.

George Site Director, Isibindi

Mariel is a graduate of Harding University where she earned her Elementary Education degree. She loves learning new things, teaching, and spreading joy! Mariel started working as a group leader at our Grace Hill site where she fell in love with what SOAR has to offer. She is now working as our Academic Support Coordinator and is looking forward to serving the community that she grew up in.

Bayyari Site Director, Altruismo

Kayla Milliken has been with SOAR since 2018, starting as a program leader, then intern, then assistant site director, and now currently serving as the site director at Bayyari. She is passionate about making students and staff feel seen and heard in the program, and helping students find their voice. Kayla is in her final steps of completing her elementary education degree through Harding University.

Grace Hill Assistant Site Director, Amistad

Emily’s passion is in after school care; she grew up working and volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club of Saline County. She volunteered from 7th-12th grade, and worked their summer program as a classroom teacher for 3 years. Emily Graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, where she had the opportunity to work as a group leader and a program director at the Boys and Girls Club of McGehee. This school year will mark Emily’s seventh year working in after school programs. Emily is currently the Assistant Site Director at SOAR Grace Hill, and strives to bring joy and smiles to everyone- students, staff, and families!

Jones Assistant Site Director, Reveur

Bio coming soon!

Parson Hills Assistant Site Director, Reveur

Bio coming soon!

George Assistant Site Director, Isibindi

Bio coming soon!

Bayyari Assistant Site Director, Altruismo

Bio coming soon!