PARTICIPANT SPOTLIGHT

When Alan moved from New Mexico to Avon, Colorado in 3rd grade, the mountain town culture of the Vail Valley was a whole new world to him. After previously attending a Spanish-speaking school, he was enrolled at Homestake Peak School where he quickly learned English to keep up with his school work. Within a year, Alan joined SOS Outreach and was introduced to snowboarding (now one of his greatest passions) and found a sense of belonging in this new community he called home. 

Fast forward to today, Alan is all-in on SOS and the opportunities that come with it. This past summer, Alan began his first job at Vail Mountain through SOS’ Career Development Program, which teaches job skills and connects participants to paid jobs in the outdoor industry. Starting in the Lionshead Ticket Office, Alan learned the ins and outs of customer service and working for a mountain resort. When asked how this experience was for his first job he shared, “I couldn’t ask for anything better”. Alan is excited to see where new career experience and love for snowboarding will take him next.