About us

Survivors of Abuse Recovering (S.O.A.R.) is a non-profit charitable organization committed to providing one-on-one peer support and support groups to survivors of childhood sexual abuse of all genders.

S.O.A.R. started upon the completion of the first Peer Support training program in December, 1993. S.O.A.R. evolved from the vision of two Mental Health therapists, Rita vanVulpen and Deirdre O’Sullivan after they identified a clear need for peer support services to complement the existing services for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

They trained, inspired and supported a small group of female survivors to form S.O.A.R. There is a current membership of 20-25 female, male and non-binary volunteer Peer Supporters. Services are currently available in Nova Scotia.

[Note: S.O.A.R. now defines its services as Peer Support instead of Peer Counseling to avoid confusion with professional services.]

Download our Rack Card

Download our brochure: What to expect from Peer Support

A brief history of S.O.A.R.

S.O.A.R. Committees

Mission:

Supporting and empowering adult survivors of childhood (0-18 yrs) sexual abuse in their recovery from trauma through peer support.

Vision:

Silence and stigma around childhood sexual abuse have ended and survivors are thriving.

Values:

  • Survivor-centered – Our participants are heard, believed and accepted without judgement; we treat people with compassion, fairness, and consistency.
  • Trauma-informed – We seek to understand and respond to the impact of trauma on people’s lives by providing support in a physically, psychologically and emotionally safe environment.
  • Strengths-Based – We encourage and empower survivors by drawing upon their strengths and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement and skill building.
  • Community Connection – Together we build a community that is inclusive and promotes meaningful dialogue, supportive relationships, and enhances well-being.

Strategic Directions:

Strategic Priority 1: Operational Sustainability

  1. Solidify the operational foundation and framework of S.O.A.R. by clarifying the roles and responsibilities of key members and committees. Develop work and communication flows.
  2. Develop a sustainability plan (government funding, private funding, volunteer energy) with funding for an Executive Director and program development and delivery.

Strategic Priority 2: Build Capacity

  1. Develop and implement a board succession plan.
  2. Develop and implement a recruitment strategy for volunteers to strengthen SOAR’s capacity.
    (Board and Peer Supporters)

Strategic Priority 3: Internal Culture

  1. Evaluate new insights into trauma healing and empowerment of survivors into all aspects of SOAR’s work (including support, education, committees, PR etc.)
  2. Engage volunteers using a strengths-based approach; facilitate SOAR community connections to increase belonging and leverage synergies.
  3. Integrate diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility into all SOAR does.

Strategic Priority 4: Community Outreach and Public Relations

  1. Work collaboratively with relevant agencies and health organizations (e.g., mental health and addictions, domestic violence, human trafficking, victim services) to advance SOAR mission.
  2. Engage with all communities in Nova Scotia (e.g., Indigenous and African Nova Scotians, refugees); deliver community outreach/education to increase awareness of the effects of childhood sexual abuse and the support provided by SOAR.