SOS Outreach recently presented Mary Jo Tarallo, executive director of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard (Month)/Bring a Friend initiative, with the organization’s “Social Impact Award in Youth Development” for her efforts in motivating youths to learn how to ski or snowboard.

SOS Outreach announced the award at its annual Youth Summit during the 2015 SIA Snow Show in Denver.

The SOS Outreach Social Impact Award in Youth Development celebrates outstanding contributions to engaging youth in positive activities, particularly within the snow sports industry. Both SOS and LSS(M)/BAF are excited to continue sharing the joy of skiing and snowboarding with youth around the country.

Tarallo has worked with SOS over the years and was part of a team that organized the Active Youth Alliance, an affiliation of youth-oriented advocacy groups throughout the country. She has served as director for Learn to Ski and Snowboard (Month)/Bring a Friend since 2010. The focus of this snow sports industry initiative is to encourage youths and adults to learn by taking lessons from professionally trained ski and snowboard instructors, rather than try to teach themselves or rely on friends and family members.

Since its inception in 2009, LSS(M)/BAF partners have taught more than 500,000 newcomers the basics of skiing and snowboarding. The initiative is supported and funded by national, regional and local associations and businesses in the snow sports industry including the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), SnowSports Industries America (SIA), and Professional Ski Instructors of America-American Association of Snowboard Instructors.

“Mary Jo is tireless in promoting snow sports, echoing SOS’s own commitment to introducing at-risk youth to mountain activities,” said Interim SOS Executive Director Seth Ehrlich.

SOS Outreach is a national youth development 501(C)3 non-profit using year-round, adventure sports to engage at-risk students in long-term mentorship relationships. According to Ehrlich, by the end of this program year, SOS will have introduced nearly 5,000 youth to new adventure sports and helped them build connections with positive mentors and activities.”