OUR MISSION
Bridging the Gap. Helping the Helpers.
SOAR Ministries and Transitional Services, Inc. is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to Bridging the Gap. Helping the Helpers. through unique pillars of service: individual transitional support and strategic community investment in at-risk areas. Our primary outreach serves working individuals and middle-income families experiencing unexpected financial hardship who appear self-sufficient but face sudden economic shifts. These households often miss the threshold for public aid, creating a dangerous lack of support during recovery.
Through our dedicated service model, SOAR provides critical funding and resource partnerships to frontline agencies in underserved districts. We work to uphold human dignity, restore family stability, and cultivate community resilience, ensuring that every neighbor has access to a reliable safety net regardless of the rigid eligibility rules that often overlook those in transition. Our comprehensive offerings include After Action Connection, Emergency Housing & Utility Assistance, Food & Clothing Assistance, and Holistic Life Coaching, all designed to offer lasting impact.
A Dedicated Greeting from Our Founder & CEO
Life presents a unique journey for everyone. While some paths remain steady, many encounter sudden barriers that test their spirit and resolve. Often, those facing the heaviest burdens are the ones who continue to serve their families and communities silently, showing no external signs of their struggle. I understand this deeply, as this journey was once my own.
Transitioning from a professional background as a single parent, I faced seasons of private difficulty where my reality didn’t fit the standard definition of poverty, yet the pressure was immense. These experiences fostered my compassion for working individuals and middle-income families experiencing unexpected financial hardship who are frequently bypassed by traditional systems because they seem stable on paper.
Combining my history with a career in social service, I was driven to establish a foundation that recognizes the validity of a crisis at any income level.
SOAR Ministries and Transitional Services, Inc. was born from that vision. The name SOAR (She Overcame and Restored) honors my personal path of restoration. Today, SOAR serves as a beacon of hope, proving that current hardships are just a single chapter in a story of triumph and renewed purpose.
Learn More About Our Founder → Rosa Thomas Coaching
OUR STORY
Our Visionary Board Members
Leading with Integrity. Building Resilient Communities
SOAR is guided by dedicated leadership committed to Bridging the Gap. Helping the Helpers. by ensuring responsible stewardship of working individuals and middle-income families experiencing unexpected financial hardship.
Our Leadership & Board of Directors
Meet Our Founder
Rosa Thomas, MBA, CPC
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Rosa Thomas is a dedicated nonprofit leader, certified life coach, and community advocate with deep expertise in social services, education, and professional development. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Business Administration. Her extensive career spans public aid administration, crisis intervention, military education, and youth advocacy. While serving with the Florida Department of Children and Families, she identified significant gaps in existing safety nets. This insight inspired the creation of SOAR to champion the needs of working individuals and middle-income families experiencing unexpected financial hardship who are often left behind by traditional support systems.
Rose Petritz
Board of Directors | Outreach & Strategic Visibility
Driven by faith and a life of service, Rose Petritz brings vital experience in ministry and holistic wellness to SOAR. Her background includes operating local food banks and assisting families with financial recovery following foreclosure. Through her wellness practice, she emphasizes whole-person health and restoration. Rose is passionate about meeting working individuals and middle-income families experiencing unexpected financial hardship exactly where they are, offering compassion and dignity for those navigating life’s transitions. Her work reflects the core values of SOAR by helping individuals overcome immediate adversity and build a foundation for long-term community thriving.
DeWayne Thomas
Board of Directors | Finance & Military Initiatives
DeWayne Thomas, a retired United States Navy Lieutenant Commander, brings 28 years of military excellence and a Bachelor of Science in Leadership to the board. His career is defined by strategic oversight, operational management, and a commitment to mission-driven accountability. DeWayne utilizes his experience in complex organizational leadership to guide SOAR’s financial health and contractual development. His dedication ensures the organization maintains the highest standards of stewardship while expanding support for working individuals and middle-income families experiencing unexpected financial hardship and veterans through specialized transitional programs.
