A nonprofit building character in youth through outdoor adventure
Staff
Arn Menconi, Founder and Executive Director
Arn moved to Vail, Colorado, in 1991 and founded SOS Outreach in 1993. He is a fully certified snowboard instructor. He served two terms as Eagle County Commissioner from 2000 – 2008. Arn grew up in Chicago and received an undergraduate degree in Communications from DePaul University; later he received an MBA at the University of Denver. He is a proud father of two.
Seth Ehrlich, Development Director
Seth started with SOS during the summer of 2005. He moved to the Rocky Mountains for a season in 2003 after completing his Public Policy graduate degree at Carnegie Mellon University. The natural beauty and supportive community of the Vail Valley has nurtured his soul and created a sense of home. In working with SOS, the organization is a great complement to his dedication to make a difference in the place he calls home.
Mikayla Curtis, Youth Programs Director - Eagle County
Mikayla joined the SOS team in September 2010 just as she completed her Masters degree in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, & Peacebuilding from California State University, Dominguez Hills. While completing her degree, Mikayla worked for a Boys & Girls Club and developed her passion for serving youth. Having grown up in the valley, she is excited to return to her roots and work for a program that provides much needed opportunities for youth leadership development in the outdoor world. She’s excited to see how far youth programs have come in this valley and is inspired to be a part of their continued growth.
Rob Gray, Youth Programs Director - Pacific Northwest
Rob got his start with SOS as an volunteer in the main office in the spring of 2009, and came to Seattle in 2010 after a year and a half in the Avon office as an intern and a summer AmeriCorps VISTA. He loves being able to help others and introduce them to the joy of sliding on snow at SOS.
Theresa Papandrea, Youth Programs Director - Lake Tahoe
Theresa started with SOS in October of 2005, in Summit County Colorado. She began working with SOS after graduating from Regis University and completing her student teaching in Golden, CO. She moved up to the mountains and after one winter returned and joined the SOS team. Theresa relocated to California in January of 2012, where she recently took over as the Program Director in Lake Tahoe and looks forward to bringing her passion and commitment to a new community. Theresa got involved with SOS because of her passion for youth and love of snowboarding. She is excited for winter in the Tahoe Region where she hopes to grow programs and establish SOS in the community.
Brian Phipps, Youth Programs Director - Front Range
Upon graduating from Colorado State University with a degree in Business Administration, Brian wanted to find something new and different. He found SOS and started in August of 2008. Brian has worked previously at a summer camp for people with disabilities and has worked as a marketing intern for the CSU Athletic Department. Brian is excited to combine his love of sports and helping others at SOS.
Rob Rumrill, Youth Programs Director - Summit County
Originally from Vermont where he studied Psychology and Human Services at Lyndon State, Rob started as a Sherpa for SOS in Colorado before spending a year as the Pacific Northwest Program Manager in Seattle. Rob recently made the move to Colorado and is now the Program Director for Summit County. He is a firm believer that the outdoors is the optimal environment for mentoring and is passionate about helping youth understand the importance of being an active member in their community.
Alyssa Buck, Youth Programs Coordinator - Pacific Northwest
Alyssa came to SOS as a volunteer instructor in the winter of 2010. Shortly after her graduation from the University of Washington in 2012, she joined our Seattle staff. She holds bachelors degrees in both media studies and philosophy and has also received a certificate in nonprofit management. In college, Alyssa spent her time as an intern at two Seattle arts nonprofits and volunteering at several youth agencies. She is excited to be working with youth, the outdoors, and serving her hometown at the SOS Seattle office.
Hannah Huegel, Youth Programs Coordinator - Eagle County
Hannah grew up in Idaho and graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont where she studied International Politics and Spanish. She coached youth track and field in the summer for five years and was the head middle school coach throughout college. Having spent her childhood in the mountains, learning to drive on dirt roads, hiking, and skiing, Hannah finally came to her senses and returned to the West. Five years in Utah resulted in a lot of gear, a renewed love of the outdoors, and a law degree. She is excited about joining the SOS team in Avon for the year!
Caitlin Kincaid, Development Coordinator
Caitlin grew up in Eagle River, Alaska, and graduated from Seattle Pacific University in June, 2011. She spent most of her college years searching for ways to travel, studying abroad in the Middle East and volunteering in Kathmandu, Nepal. After graduating she interned at policy organizations in Seattle and in Washington, D.C. She hopes to pursue a career in international non-profits and is excited to begin that path working with the SOS development team.
Stewart Muldoon, Youth Programs Coordinator - Eagle County
Stewart started with SOS in the fall of 2012, after graduating from Colorado State University with a degree in Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism. Stewart started working with at-risk and underprivileged youth in high school at the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Colorado and at Environmental Education in Eagle County. He is excited to be combining his passion of adventure sports with youth development as an AmeriCorps VISTA member with SOS in Eagle County to create positive experiences for youth.
Sara Pederson, Youth Programs Coordinator - Summit County and Leadville
Sara Pederson grew up snowboarding in MN and WI, and has been involved in outdoor youth programs from a young age. She starting working as an intern at a YMCA summer camp when she was 15, and continued to work for the Y for another 6 years. Sara's passion for the outdoors and working with youth has never stopped growing. She moved to Leadville, CO in 2003 to go to Colorado Mountain College for Outdoor Recreation and Leadership. In 2010 Sara started volunteering for SOS Outreach as a Sherpa in Summit County. Since then she has continued to volunteer for Summit's University programs, run Leadville's University program, and start a summer SOS program in Leadville. Sara is very happy to join the SOS team full time and to be able to continue working with youth and making her local community stronger through these programs.
Elise Popp, Youth Programs Coordinator - Lake Tahoe
For years, Elise has worked with underprivileged and "at-risk" youth. She started in high school with an opportunity to teach struggling students about interpersonal communication skills and other tools for success in school. Over the years, she has been an outdoor instructor for the Telluride Academy, a before and after school program coordinator, a summer camp director, and a Teacher's Assistant working with English Language Learners as an AmeriCorps volunteer. After graduating from Western State Colorado University with a degree in Politics and Government, Elise was searching for an opportunity to continue to work with youth in the outdoors while also gaining experience with nonprofit management when she found SOS Outreach in Lake Tahoe.
Jacob Taddy, Youth Programs Coordinator - Eagle County
Jacob started with SOS in September of 2012. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison with a degree in Community and Non Profit Leadership. Jacob has an extensive background in missions where he developed his passion for working with youth. He is excited about the opportunity to be a part of how SOS is making a real impact in the lives of youth and pair that with his love for the outdoors.
Laura Turner, Youth Programs Coordinator - Front Range
Laura graduated from Colorado College in May 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History. While attending CC, Laura worked with under resourced youth through a mentoring group called North Boys Enrichment Program. Laura is passionate about outdoor education and has volunteered at various summer camps in Oregon, her home state. Laura joined SOS Outreach as an AmeriCorps VISTA member in August 2011 and is thrilled to combine her love of snowboarding with her commitment towards youth empowerment.
Joe Bishop, Youth Programs Director - Durango
Joe moved to Durango in 2007, fulfilling his lifelong dream of returning to the Rocky Mountains. He first became involved in SOS Outreach in 2008 through his son Matt, a Sherpa. In 2010 he became the Regional Program Director of the Durango program and, by doing so, started down the road to achieving one of his goals – working with the youth of Durango and making a difference in his new hometown.
Malee Lucas, Youth Programs Director - Portland
Malee is a Certified Medical Massage Therapist, Shamanic Practitioner, and Reiki Practitioner. The healing work she does as a practitioner complements the community building work she does through SOS Outreach. Spread the love!
Audra Snow, Youth Programs Manager - Durango
Audra became involved with SOS in 2010 when she was given the opportunity to complete her Master's of Social Work practicum hours with the program. Her role has grown from there. She has a bachelor's in psychology, a master's in social work, and has worked with at-risk youth (although she prefers the term “children on the brink of success”) for over 16 years. She has always recognized the huge significance the outdoor experience has on kids and is incredibly proud to be a part of the SOS magic!
Jeanne Weintraub, Youth Programs Manager - Steamboat Springs
Jeanne started with SOS in Steamboat during the winter of 2010. Her passion for serving youth has remained consistent, from being a therapeutic mentor for at-risk youth, kids ski instructor and director of the City of Steamboat summer camp. Having lived in Steamboat for five years she was interested in making a difference in her own community and SOS has proved to truly help local youth become more engaged in their community and experience the outdoors with support from great adult mentors.
Krista Wolfe, Bookkeeper
Krista's adventures began with SOS Outreach in January 2008. She moved to Vail to "live the ski bum dream" after college and had the opportunity to live here since… now 15 years. Most of her career path has included working with finances, so, as a "stay-at-home-Mom" of two amazing young boys, bookkeeping for SOS is a fantastic balance.
Lindsay Jones, Service Project Coordinator - Summit County
Originally from Northern California, Lindsay is now a full time student at Colorado Mountain College in Breckenridge. She is an avid snowboarder and also enjoys skating, mountain biking, and Crossfit.
Chelsea Chludzinksi, Youth Programs Intern - Front Range
Chelsea started with SOS in December 2012. Originally from Michigan, she moved to Colorado in 2010 to follow her enthusiasm for the outdoors. Chelsea graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s in Communication. She has followed her passion to mentor youth through camps, school programs, and non-profit organizations. She is excited to combine her love of snowboarding and mentoring with SOS!
Nicole Meyer, Youth Programs Intern - Front Range
Nicole started volunteering with SOS in 2012. After graduating from Adelphi University in 2007 with a BA in Communications, Nicole moved to Copper Mountain and then to Denver. As her love for snowboarding grew, she wanted to share her passion with others. Nicole is excited to help SOS and bring the thrill of the Rocky Mountains to a new generation!
Morgan Nyberg, Youth Programs Intern - Eagle County
Morgan is a senior at the University of Kansas graduating with a Health Sport and Exercise Science major with an emphasis in Community Health. She enjoys snowboarding, running, hiking, and swimming. She is doing a spring internship with SOS Outreach and is looking forward to learning about all the different programs and getting to know everyone who participates. She believes that having a positive support system that is constantly applying a fun and caring environment is crucial in young lives and is excited about being a part of this program that applies these fundamentals.
Latest Activity
Mikayla Curtis posted a group
Eagle County University Summer 2013
This webpage will house all information for Eagle County Summer programs including service information, packing lists, meeting locations and times, and everything families need to know during the summer.See More
© 2013
Created by SOS Outreach.
SOS Outreach | Main Office: P.O. Box 2020 Avon, Colorado 81620 | Phone: 970.926.9292 | Fax: 970.306.0269 | sos@sosoutreach.org | Tax ID #84-1332544
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