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Strategies to Overcome Obstacles and Avoid Recidivism-Sooar

EIN 45-2592988 · Belleville, MI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SOOAR IS A LICENSED COMMUNITY AWARENESS INFORMATION AND TRAINING (CAIT) PROVIDER THROUGH THE STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE DIVISION. WE ARE A GROWING AND DYNAMIC COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT AND LEARNING CENTER THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION, HARM REDUCTION, HIV AND HEP C PREVENTION, AND LIFE SKILLS COACHING SERVICES. WE ARE PROUD OF THE MANY WAYS WE REMOVE BARRIERS AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PARTICIPANTS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

Income
$415,961
Spending
$396,435
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 73%
Employees
1
Highest pay
$90,196, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $336,970 spent. SOOAR 2024 990 NARRATIVE SOOAR'S UNIVERSAL PREVENTION STRATEGIES FOCUS ON PROMOTING HEALTHY, DRUG- FREE LIFESTYLES AMONG YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUT-WAYNE COUNTY. THESE EFFORTS REACH A BROAD POPULATION REGARDLESS OF RISK LEVEL-TO BUILD PROTECTIVE FACTORS AND REDUCE EARLY RISK FOR SUBSTANCE USE AND OTHER HARMFUL BEHAVIORS. THROUGH CLASSROOM-BASED EDUCATION, COMMUNITY EVENTS, AND OUTREACH CAMPAIGNS, SOOAR INCREASES AWARENESS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF UNDERAGE DRINKING, TOBACCO USE, AND DRUG MISUSE WHILE PROMOTING POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, DECISION-MAKING SKILLS, AND RESILIENCE. KEY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: O COMMUNITY EDUCATION & OUTREACH: HOSTING COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS AND YOUTH EVENTS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT PREVENTION AND WELLNESS. O SYNAR COMPLIANCE CHECKS: IMPLEMENTING FEDERALLY REQUIRED SYNAR INSPECTIONS TO REDUCE YOUTH ACCESS TO TOBACCO AND VAPING PRODUCTS BY ENSURING RETAILERS COMPLY WITH UNDERAGE SALES LAWS. O PARENT & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: FACILITATING CONVERSATIONS AND TRAINING SESSIONS FOR PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS ON PREVENTION STRATEGIES, COMMUNICATION SKILLS, AND EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF SUBSTANCE USE. SOOAR'S SELECTIVE PREVENTION STRATEGIES ARE DESIGNED FOR YOUTH WHO EXHIBIT HIGHER-THAN-AVERAGE RISK FACTORS-SUCH AS EXPOSURE TO ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACES), FAMILY SUBSTANCE USE, TRAUMA, OR ENVIRONMENTS WITH LIMITED PROTECTIVE SUPPORT BUT WHO ARE NOT YET SHOWING SIGNS OF DEPENDENCY OR ADDICTION. HELP IS DOWN THE HALL - STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SAP): THIS EVIDENCE-INFORMED SCHOOL-BASED PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM ADDRESSES ACADEMIC, BEHAVIORAL, AND EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES THAT INTERFERE WITH STUDENT SUCCESS. SAP PROVIDES STRUCTURED SUPPORT, EARLY IDENTIFICATION, SCREENING, AND REFERRAL FOR STUDENTS STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE, GRIEF, TRAUMA, OR OTHER PERSONAL CONCERNS. SERVICES INCLUDE: O INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP SUPPORT SESSIONS O EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND PROBLEM-SOLVING INTERVENTIONS O REFERRALS TO SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES O COLLABORATION WITH SCHOOL STAFF AND FAMILIES O DEVELOPMENT OF PREVENTION AND SUPPORT POLICIES WITHIN SCHOOLS. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION & REFERRAL SERVICES: THIS STRATEGY IDENTIFIES INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY HAVE ENGAGED IN EARLY OR INAPPROPRIATE USE OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, OR OTHER DRUGS AND DETERMINES WHETHER EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTIONS CAN REVERSE THESE BEHAVIORS. WHILE SOOAR DOES NOT CONDUCT TREATMENT-LEVEL ASSESSMENTS, SCREENINGS HELP CONNECT INDIVIDUALS TO APPROPRIATE PREVENTION OR REFERRAL SERVICES. WHEN NEEDS EXCEED PREVENTION SCOPE (E.G., MENTAL HEALTH OR TREATMENT SERVICES), SOOAR PROVIDES WARM REFERRALS TO PARTNER AGENCIES FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT. THROUGH A COMBINATION OF UNIVERSAL AND SELECTIVE PREVENTION EFFORTS, SOOAR STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE FACTORS, ENHANCES YOUTH RESILIENCE, AND ENSURES EQUITABLE ACCESS TO PREVENTION RESOURCES FOR ALL POPULATIONS AT RISK. SOOAR RISK REDUCTION SERVICES SOOAR'S RISK REDUCTION PROGRAM OPERATES ON THE BELIEF THAT EVERY LIFE HAS VALUE AND THAT HEALTH AND SAFETY SHOULD NEVER DEPEND ON ONE'S CIRCUMSTANCES OR CHOICES. OUR UNIVERSAL STRATEGIES ARE FOCUSED ON REDUCING THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SUBSTANCE USE, PREVENTING OVERDOSE DEATHS, AND INCREASING ACCESS TO HEALTH EDUCATION AND RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUT-WAYNE COUNTY. THROUGH A COMBINATION OF OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND RESOURCE DISTRIBUTION, SOOAR PROMOTES SAFER PRACTICES AND CONNECTS INDIVIDUALS TO CRITICAL SERVICES THAT SUPPORT WELLNESS AND RECOVERY. KEY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: O COMMUNITY OUTREACH & EDUCATION: DELIVERING OVERDOSE PREVENTION AND RISK REDUCTION EDUCATION AT COMMUNITY EVENTS, SCHOOLS, AND NEIGHBORHOOD GATHERINGS. O NALOXONE DISTRIBUTION & OVERDOSE PREVENTION: PROVIDING LIFE-SAVING NALOXONE KITS, FENTANYL TEST STRIPS, AND RISK REDUCTION EDUCATION TO PREVENT OVERDOSE DEATHS. O SAFER SUBSTANCE USE SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION: OPERATING THROUGH OUR MOBILE "BOOTS ON THE GROUND" OUTREACH UNIT AND OFFICE-BASED SERVICES TO DISTRIBUTE STERILE SYRINGES, WOUND CARE KITS, CONDOMS, AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS. O PUBLIC HEALTH COLLABORATION: PARTNERING WITH LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, PHARMACIES, AND COMMUNITY AGENCIES TO ALIGN SERVICES, EXPAND REACH, AND ENSURE CONTINUITY OF CARE. THESE STRATEGIES EMPHASIZE COMPASSION, SAFETY, AND CONNECTION-MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AND SUPPORTING THEIR JOURNEY TOWARD HEALTH AND STABILITY. SOOAR'S SELECTIVE RISK REDUCTION SERVICES TARGET INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES AT HIGHER RISK FOR OVERDOSE, INFECTIOUS DISEASE TRANSMISSION (HIV/HCV), AND OTHER SUBSTANCE-RELATED HARMS. THESE STRATEGIES ARE DESIGNED TO REACH INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY NOT OTHERWISE ACCESS TRADITIONAL HEALTHCARE OR TREATMENT SERVICES. MOBILE & STREET-BASED OUTREACH - "BOOTS ON THE GROUND": THROUGH OUR MOBILE OUTREACH UNIT, SOOAR PROVIDES RISK REDUCTION SUPPLIES, HEALTH EDUCATION, AND REFERRAL SERVICES DIRECTLY IN NEIGHBORHOODS MOST IMPACTED BY SUBSTANCE USE AND POVERTY. TRAINED OUTREACH STAFF BUILD TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS, OFFERING ON-SITE EDUCATION, OVERDOSE PREVENTION, AND CONNECTIONS TO CARE, INCLUDING TREATMENT, HOUSING, AND MEDICAL SUPPORT. OVERDOSE PREVENTION & RESPONSE TRAINING: SOOAR PROVIDES EDUCATION AND HANDS-ON TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, AND ORGANIZATIONS ON OVERDOSE RECOGNITION AND RESPONSE, NALOXONE ADMINISTRATION, AND THE PRINCIPLES OF RISK REDUCTION. HEALTH & SUPPORT REFERRALS: PARTICIPANTS ARE CONNECTED TO LOCAL RESOURCES SUCH AS MEDICAL CARE, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, HIV/HCV TESTING, HOUSING, AND RECOVERY SUPPORT. SOOAR'S APPROACH ENSURES THAT INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE NONJUDGMENTAL SUPPORT AND PRACTICAL TOOLS TO IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH OUTCOMES. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & DATA-DRIVEN IMPACT: DATA COLLECTED THROUGH OUTREACH ENCOUNTERS AND PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS AND HELP IDENTIFY EMERGING COMMUNITY NEEDS. SOOAR'S RISK REDUCTION WORK EMPHASIZES TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND MEASURABLE OUTCOMES-SAVING LIVES, REDUCING STIGMA, AND BUILDING HEALTHIER

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2012.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

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