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Programs Benefiting Women and Girls
Soroptimist clubs identify the
individual needs of their communities and undertake local projects tailored to
meet those needs. Often, Soroptimist clubs unite — be it across state,
provincial or national boundaries — to work on joint projects that provide
direct assistance to women and girls.
International Projects
The Soroptimist International
2003 - 2007 Quadrennial Project
partners with
Women for Women International on Project Independence: Women
Survivors of War. The project provides direct aid to women in war-torn countries
such as Afghanistan, Bosnia and Rwanda and helps them meet basic needs for
themselves and their families.
December 10th SI President's
Appeal.
December 10th is United Nations Rights Day. Each year, in honour of
this day, the SI president invites all Soroptimists to join her in making a
personal sacrifice and donating the money to an international fund to help those
living in extreme poverty. The 2005 President's Appeal partners
Soroptimist International with the Roll Back Malaria Department of the World
Health Organization.
Federation Projects
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Making a Difference for Women Award - The purpose is to recognize and honour those
who work to improve the status of women in our society. view
information here
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Women’s Opportunity Awards - The Women's
Opportunity Awards program is Soroptimist's major service project. The
awards improve the lives of women by giving them the resources they need to
improve their education, skills and employment prospects. Each year,
more than $1million is dispersed through this program.
view information here
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Violet Richardson
Award - The Violet Richardson Award is a
recognition program for young women ages 14-17 engaged in volunteer action
within their communities or schools.
view information here
Preventing and eliminating
domestic violence is a Soroptimist focus. Each year, Soroptimist promotes
participation in an event on November 25 (the International Day for the
Elimination of Violence Against Women) that targets domestic violence as a
workplace concern. Since 1997, the Soroptimist Workplace Campaign to End
Domestic Violence has consisted of club members distributing cards in the
workplace that contain domestic violence hotline information. Clubs also
create awareness and work to end domestic violence by directly supporting
shelters, advocating for legal protections, and helping abuse survivors to
rebuild their lives.
View the PDF
about this campaign.
The organization awards
annually in Soroptimist Club Grants to Soroptimist clubs
that are initiating or continuing innovative projects that benefit women and
girls. Sample projects include providing job training and mentoring for
survivors of domestic violence; helping impoverished women to learn income-
generating skills; establishing health clinics for women and girls in
developing nations; hosting forums on the sexual trafficking of women and
girls; and teaching girls about careers in nontraditional fields.
The Soroptimist Disaster Relief Fund for Women and Girls
provides financial assistance to areas affected by natural disasters or acts
of war. Because relief efforts targeted to women are often overlooked during
a crisis, the fund supports projects that specifically assist women and
girls. The fund is replenished by voluntary donations from Soroptimist clubs
and members.
Club Projects
A
conference addressing the complexities of parenting teenagers including
substance abuse issues, teen depression
and internet safety.
Members of the Sewing
Committee sew warm blankets from old wool sweaters and cancer caps.
There are many
other kinds of hats, caps, toques, etc as well as choices of sewn, crochet
and knit. Each Soroptimist can choose the method
which suits them. View the PDF for making
the warm blankets -
written
and picture instructions.
View the PDF for
knitting a cancer
cap.
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