Library and Community News

Soar 55

Since 2009 the SOAR 55 satellite office and Lois Levick have been a part of the Framingham Public Library and the greater Framingham community. Lois has brought hundreds of residents into the Library helping them find volunteer assignments vital to the nonprofit community in Framingham and Metro West.

While acknowledging the wonderful work that SOAR 55 does and how much it has accomplished, the decision was made by Family ACCESS, SOAR 55's local sponsor, to not renew the federal grant and to discontinue sponsorship as their programming is now exclusively child/family focused.

Although no new volunteer interviews will occur after March 31, 2016, the Newton office will remain open through June to make sure that all volunteers already interviewed will be successfully placed. All placed SOAR 55 volunteers are able to remain in their positions.

The good news is that there is a group of SOAR 55 volunteers in the process of exploring ways that the award-winning pro bono SOAR 55 Nonprofit Management Consulting Group can continue to provide its services to local agencies and organizations without the current relationship to the federal government and Family ACCESS.

The Library is saddened to see the SOAR 55 satellite office close and to lose Lois Levick, SOAR 55's Volunteer Coordinator. Lois is a consummate professional and an accomplished community connector. She has made a meaningful difference to the Library, our residents, and the community. She will be sorely missed by all and we thank her for her dedication.

Please contact Jan Latorre-Stiller, SOAR 55 Director, 617-969-5906, x 120, or email Jlatorre-stiller@soar55.org should you have questions. We are proud of the services SOAR 55 has delivered to hundreds of local and public organizations during these last four decades. It is an honor and privilege to have partnered with SOAR 55 these past seven years.