This month’s Local Legend is Jessica Soles, who works at 4RKids, an organization that is dedicated to advancing opportunities for youth and adults with developmental disabilities right here in Enid. In her position, Jessica serves as Retail Manager for the Mini Golf and 2nd Story Gift Shop. Located on Overland Trail, the golf and gift shop raise much-needed funds for 4RKids, and Jessica oversees them both.
Originally hailing from the upper Midwest, Jessica has worked at 4RKids since 2021. Coming from a background in retail, working at 4RKids was a new avenue for Jessica. 4RKids has a unique mission, and the environment is one where Jessica’s talents and skills have been able to shine. According to Executive Director Rachel McVay, a large part of what drew Jessica to 4RKids was the mission and being able to help people. McVay said that Jessica “really enjoys working with the clients that we have.” Jessica excels at building relationships with the clients, always encouraging and helping them to “learn new job skills” and work to the very best of their capabilities.
Not only does Jessica manage the retail side of 4RKids, but she also represents the organization in the community. Jessica regularly appears at Enid Chamber of Commerce events, and she has also been invited to speak at the Enid AM Ambucs civic club. McVay said that Jessica “does networking for us…when new businesses come to town to help them know who we are and how we can maybe support them…she definitely has a charitable heart.”
Like everyone featured in this column, Jessica would never call herself a Local Legend. In truth, though, that sense of humility and genuine selfless nature are the qualities that make her one. McVay said, “Jessica is a workhorse. She will put in tons of hours to make sure something is completed, and she doesn’t ever ask for credit or want recognition. She just wants to do a really good job and then fly under the radar.”
When you take your kids (or just yourself!) to play mini golf, they might want to grab some popcorn or maybe a snow cone. When you visit the 2nd Story Gift Shop, you will see all the artfully arranged home décor items, shirts, and many other neat things. And when you eat that tasty snow cone or purchase that trendy tumbler, you can smile, knowing that everything is made possible thanks to a wonderful team of 4RKids clients and their phenomenal team leader, Jessica Soles. And that’s truly what makes her this month’s Local Legend.
