About

Educating, Empowering, and Giving Hope to Aspirational Individuals

About SOCARTES

Saving Our Communities At Risk Through Educational Services (SOCARTES) strongly believes that challenges (e.g., tuition, transportation, past experiences) should not be a factor in an individual's ability to receive a quality education. Moreover, SOCARTES is committed to providing individuals access to personal development opportunities, which can lead to these individuals reaching their career potential and goals.

During the 5-year partnership with the Arlington County Detention Facility (ACDF) in Arlington, VA (started in October 2013), S. L. Young has taught over 500 inmates with approximately 150 earning certificates of completion in either "Introduction to Business - Overview," "Introduction to Business - Soft Skills," or "Life Skills Management." Moreover, almost 40 inmates in the Addiction, Corrections, and Treatment (ACT) Program participated in a non-certificate curriculum.

Furthermore, Mr. Young has spoken to hundreds of at-risk high school and college students about overcoming educational challenges --- based on his long educational journey from barely graduating high school to excelling to earn multiple degrees. These experiences drove him to educate, uplift, and inspire others as an educator (professor/community influencer/thought-leader).

About the Founder

Mr. Young received the "2018 Distinguished County Service Award" from Volunteer Arlington (a program of the Leadership Center for Excellence). This award is given to an individual or a group (through volunteerism) who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and care to Arlington, VA citizens.
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Purpose

SOCARTES was created to increase individual knowledge about business, life, and soft skills within at-risk communities, while also developing skills:

  • Belief
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Interpersonal
  • Negotiation
  • Planning
  • Time Management
  • And More...​

Strategic Direction

Board of Directors
Vision
Mission
  • S. L. Young, Founder and President
  • Virginia Clay, Vice President, Administrative Services
  • Karen Turner, Treasurer
  • Carrie Markels, Secretary
  • Gary Jackson, Member
  • Edward Yeldell, Member​
  • Engage learners within their communities.
  • Provide access to materials representative of subject matter taught on college campuses to anyone who wants to learn.
  • Encourage learners to challenge themselves to advance their capabilities.
  • Create a pool of marketable resources who have sufficient business knowledge to obtain entry-level positions.
  • ​Provide a college-level educational experience to individuals in at-risk communities for a minimal cost or complementary, which will:
  • Enhance community knowledge.
  • Encourage educational pursuits.
  • Provide a positive educational role model.
  • Support community-based organizations (CBOs).
  • Bring excitement to the learning process.
  • Develop resources for entry-level salaried positions.
Goals
Differentiators
Non-Discrimination Statement
  • Educate anyone who wants to learn about business, life, and social skills.
  • Inspire others to pursue their educational goals --- even if it doesn't mean the attainment of a college degree.
  • Develop community relationships.
  • Assist learners to achieve their educational goals.
  • Transform doubts and fears into actionable plans.
  • Educate learners about business terminology and the way these concepts can be applied to daily lives.
  • Provide access to college-level material to individuals in at-risk and underserved communities.
  • Partner with local and national businesses to develop a resource pool to fill entry-level salaried positions.
  • Offering is mobile, available in the community, and can be delivered with minimal effort and equipment.
  • The founder has a proven record of overcoming (educational and personal) challenges to create opportunities.
  • A personalized approach to teaching
  • Collaborative learning environment is created and maintained from the first session.
  • Learners are expected to actively engage in the learning process and not be passive recipients.
  • Achievement is the sole focus and not momentary measures (e.g., grades).
  • SOCARTES believes and supports individuals' rights to be themselves and have an opportunity for self-expression and self-improvement.
  • SOCARTES doesn't discriminate in providing its services due to age, sex, religion, marital status, disability, national origin, sexual identity, sexual orientation, past challenges, pregnancy, race/color, or any other categories that prevent someone from being themself.​​

President's Message

SOCARTES in the Media

President's Lessons Learned

SOCARTES

Target Audience Are Learners:

  • Who are non-traditional and/or underrepresented learners
  • Who want to obtain knowledge
  • Who believe college may not be an option
  • With past academic challenges
  • Who cannot afford college
  • With transportation challenges
  • With scheduling challenges
  • Who want continuing education
  • Who have had challenges connecting with classroom material

Operating Model

SOCARTES is an educational non-profit organization incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

  • SOCARTES is not a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, which is strategically done to minimize overhead costs.
  • Overhead costs are kept low via a licensing agreement with the founder's for-profit company (Beyond SPRH, LLC), which develops and provides most training materials complementary or at a minimal user fee.
    • Any individuals, organizations, or corporations that would like to become a sponsor of Beyond SPRH's material development costs should contact, Mr. Young at: info (at) beyondsprh.com.
  • The founder volunteers personal time and resources to teach classes and reach at-risk individuals in underserved communities.
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