Service Projects
Mt. Carmel House:
This is a
transitional residence for 18-20 women that provide individualized case
management, substance abuse counseling, and program in career training
and life skills to assist women in finding permanent housing,
employment and personal stability. The club has worked
closely
with the staff and residences since 2002, and continues to provide
workshops, mentoring, and support to assist the residents in attaining
their goal to achieve independence.
On the fourth Saturday of each month, the club prepares and serves
meals at Mt. Carmel House for homeless women in the District of
Columbia.
To learn more or volunteer at Mt. Carmel with us, contact Celia
SAFE Emergency Toiletry Kits: Survivors and Advocates for Empowerment (SAFE) is a local non-profit that provides support to survivors of intimate partner violence as they navigate the initial crisis and the civil and criminal remedies available to them. The club is compiling emergency toiletry kits, which include basic essentials such as shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes and feminine hygiene products for these women while transitioning out of this crisis.
To learn more or volunteer with us, contact Heather
Violet Richardson Award:
Each
year the club recognizes and honors young women, 14 to 17 years of
age, whose volunteer activities
make the community
and world a better place. Named after the president of the
first
Soroptimist club, this program offers a cash grant of $750 to
award recipients
and the organizations for which they volunteer. Volunteer
projects may include those that address social problems such as
homelessness, illiteracy, discrimination, environmental issues, and
AIDS. Projects may assist any group including the elderly,
children, and the disabled; those that benefit women or girls are
especially valued.
To nominate someone for this award,
contact Debbie.
Applications must be received by December 1, 2007.
Women's Opportunity Award: Each
year the club recognizes a woman who has the primary financial
responsibility for her family and is seeking to improve her economic
status by gaining additional skills, training or education necessary to
enter or reenter the workforce. The award of $2000 is aimed
at
helping pay tuition, books, supplies, childcare or transportation costs
associated with undergraduate or vocational
training.
To nominate someone for this award, contact Debbie. Applications must be received by December 1, 2007.
Making a Difference for Women Award: The Making a Difference for Women Award program acknowledges women who, through their personal or professional activities, are working to improve the lives of other women and girls. The work of these women helps to promote the issues that are important to the Soroptimist organization. Honorees are women who have worked in extraordinary ways to benefit women and girls. Examples of the type of work honored include: spearheading an effort to open a domestic violence shelter, starting a mentoring program for at-risk girls, or lobbying companies to provide on-site childcare. Each year SIWDC recognizes a woman who meets this criteria, by donating $1,000 to the winner's favorite charity.
To nominate someone for this award, contact Diane. Applications must be received by December 1, 2007.
Military Mail Call: SIWDC
participates in the Military Mail Call Program
by sending Holiday Greetings to men and women in our Armed
Services who
are unable to be with their families during the Holiday
Season.
Members donate holiday greeting cards and write personal notes
to
service members. This year, members will prepare them for
shipment
to a location that will forward them on to troops overseas at
the
October Business Meeting.
Overseas Dispensary Kits: SIWDC
provides monetary contributions to purchase medical
kits, which
include over-the-counter medical supplies that are mailed to
hospitals
and clinics in developing and impoverished countries. The
kits contain
basic medical supplies such as aspirin, band-aids, antacid, and
antibiotic ointments. This project is coordinated by
SI-Howard County,
Maryland (a sister club of SIWDC) and the Interchurch Medical
Assistance, Inc.
Project Independence: SIWDC donates
funds to benefit Women Survivors of
War, in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina and
Rwanda. These women
will benefit from the direct aid, human rights awareness, education and
vocational skills training that Project Independence Funds will
provide. For more information, visit the Project
Independence website at
www.womenforwomen.org
and read more about successful events held by Soroptimists and women
around the world.
Founders Day Pennies: In October of each year clubs celebrate Founders Day and Founders Week. The Founders Week Fund was established in 1946 by convention action, which is financed by each member donating four pennies for each year of the life of the Soroptimist organization. These funds are used for international fellowships and grants-in-aid and are administered through Soroptimist International of the Americas.
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