An alarm goes off bright and early on a Sunday morning. You hop in the car and head to your local church where your day is instantly brightened by a sweet smile and the biggest hug you’ve had all week.

This is a reality for students who are volunteers for the SOAR Special Needs ministry, among them is senior Amy Reglin.

Reglin has been waking up early on Sunday mornings for four years to hang out with kids at a ministry called SOAR. According to Reglin, SOAR stands for Special Opportunities, Abilities, and Relationships, and is a 5-year-old ministry out of Grace Church Overland Park. It ministers to over 550 individuals with special needs.

“It is primarily a weekend ministry, where families and their individuals with special needs can come, and the family is able to go to church while [SOAR volunteers] buddy them in kids’ service,” Reglin said.

Reglin said SOAR provides a way for families with special needs to attend church without questioning if their child is safe, under control and being taught at their own level.

“Coming back every week and the kids recognizing and wanting to see me makes me feel very valued by them to know that I am doing something really positive,” Reglin said.

Reglin said SOAR also does trimonthly Rest & Recuperation (R&R) nights free of cost for individuals with special needs and their siblings, as well as an annual summer camp.

“One of my favorite moments [in SOAR] is after an R&R when the parents come to pick up their kids, and seeing how grateful they are,” Reglin said. “It is really eye-opening. I spend three hours with a kid and I am exhausted, but the parents live with them.”
Reglin has been able to impact others through volunteering for SOAR, but she said it has also impacted her greatly.

“By serving with SOAR I have been able to see I have leadership qualities and seen that there
is more to me than certain aspects,” Reglin said. “I would never say I am a leader, but by being put in SOAR [leadership] positions, I have been able to step up and say I am a leader and have fun with that.”
Others, like SOAR Weekend Director Tessa Black, have also seen volunteers like Reglin grow through the ministry.

“I’ve loved watching our youth volunteers develop a heart for serving others,” Balck said. “I’m encouraged to see them thinking outside of themselves.

Reglin, who said she wants to pursue a degree in education after high shool, said she would

“I’ve loved watching our youth volunteers develop a heart for serving others,” Balck said. “I’m encouraged to see them thinking outside of themselves.

Reglin, who said she wants to pursue a degree in education after high school, said she would love special needs to be apart of her life for a long time by tutoring them and incorporating them into her classrooms with typically students.

“So often there is a stigma with special needs that these kids are dumb and can’t do things, but these are some of the smartest kids I’ve ever met,” Reglin said. “You are impacting them, but they are doing so much for you and showing you so much about yourself.”