Who we are
“Special Opportunities Affirm Recognition in Noteworthy Goals”
SOARING, Inc. (“SOARING”) is an Idaho Non-Profit Organization that has been serving youth and families in the Coeur d’Alene area since 1994. SOARING is a community-based character development program for youth ages 7-17. SOARING helps young people gain strength and self-determination through an intensive growth experience based on the metaphor of flight. Students are brought together by trained facilitators with a small “peer group” of other youth facing similar challenges in a 6-week program. Typical challenges include illness or death in the family, the turbulence of military life, and emotional and behavioral issues. Families or guardians of participating youth are involved in orientation, goal setting, and graduation ceremonies. During the six-week course conducted by trained and appropriately screened facilitators, students are educated regarding the different aspects of flight in order to prepare them for their own “lift off” as a “real life” pilot. Students learn about safe aviation procedures as well as safe life procedures. Youth participating in the program are challenged and equipped to create their own mission, flight plan, and goals for overcoming individual and shared challenges. The program culminates in a graduation ceremony at a donated airport facility and a flight with local volunteer SOARING pilots.
SOARING accepts referrals from any appropriate organization in the North Idaho community (schools, social service agencies, counselors etc.) and also accepts applications directly from families. After the acceptance and admission process has been successfully completed, students are grouped within particular “adversity categories” by age or family unit. There is no cost to youth participants or their families.
After 25 years of operation in Coeur d’Alene, SOARING is embarking on a bold path of growth and assured legacy. Our vision is ultimately to serve over 100 children per year in our community and to create a program that can be replicated in other communities in Idaho and the region.
Meet The Board
Joe McCarron of Coeur d’Alene, ID is the founder and President of the SOARING youth program and founder of the I.D.F.Y. Inc. youth program. These programs have served over 100,000 youth in 28 years of existence in Idaho, both winning national recognition. Mr. McCarron received the “Outstanding Community Service Award” from the Governor of Idaho for his work. He has maintained a Marriage and Family counseling practice in Coeur d’Alene for approximately 30 years. He is a veteran of war and health issues. Besides skydiving, bungie jumping, and 2000+ hours “jet” time as an Air Force navigator, Mr. McCarron is a licensed pilot with instrument rating. He is a graduate of Gonzaga University with a Master’s in Counseling Psychology.
Stephen Gajewski of Richland, WA and Coeur d’Alene, ID is a licensed professional counselor in Idaho and Washington specializing in conflict management and life transitions. Mr. Gajewski has maintained a private counseling practice in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho for 6 years. He brings experience from mediation, arbitration, strategic planning and program management. Mr. Gajewski has served as vice-president of SOARING since 2017.
Mrs. Jessica Blankenship of Athol, Idaho has been a resident of the beautiful State of Idaho for 30 years. She is an Idaho Licensed Social Worker since 1999 with a great passion for her work with patients in the medical setting. She has been referring children and helping to fundraise for the SOARING program since 2007 and became a SOARING Board Member in January of 2018. Mrs. Blankenship graduated from Lewis Clark State College in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in Social Science and Psychology.
Robert Allen Clark of Coeur d’Alene, ID currently serves as Treasurer for SOARING. A graduate of Cal State Northridge in Business/Accounting, Mr. Clark brings experience in accounting, budget, management analysis, financial management, internal review, auditing, tax, investment and insurance sales, foreign military sales, and security management. He is currently working as a commercial driver for Swift Transportation. Mr. Clark is a former member of Toastmasters and pursues personal interests in boating and also flying as holder of a private pilot’s license.
Michael (Mike) Wood of Coeur d’ Alene, ID works for the City of Post Falls in parks maintenance. Mr. Wood also works part time for St Vincent de Paul of North Idaho as a facilitator of the Nurturing Fathers and Stewards of Children programs and is a certified facilitator for these programs. His son is a graduate of the SOARING program. Mr. Wood joined the board of SOARING in January of 2018 as an at-large member. He contributes community engagement and group facilitation services as well as other organizations in North Idaho.
David Crettol, LMT, has his practice in Coeur d’Alene and is Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork with a focus on pain management. He is an aviation historian & pilot with an interest of aircraft from pre-World War II to current aircraft of all types, an expertise which has led to consulting in the TV and film industry. While in aviation industry he attained the title of Direction of Customer Relations for the F-5 aircraft working with domestic and international customers. Mr. Crettol joined SOARING in September 2018 where he has been assisting with secretarial, administrative, and fundraising activities.
