Service We Do in the Community...

AWARDS

Women's Opportunity Award (WOA)

A cash award for a head of household woman in school to improve the lives of herself and her family.

Our winner last year received a $1,000 award to use toward her education at UTA.

The Women’s Opportunity Awards program is Soroptimist International of the Americas' 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, Soroptimist clubs in 19 countries and territories assist women in overcoming personal difficulties and improving their lives through education and skills training. The women, who provide the primary source of financial support for their families, may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, including books, childcare and transportation. Club recipients become eligible for additional cash awards at other levels of the organization, including three $10,000 finalist awards.

Many Women’s Opportunity Award recipients have overcome enormous obstacles in their quest for a better life, including poverty, domestic violence, and drug and alcohol abuse. Each year, more than $800,000 is disbursed through awards at various levels of the organization to help women achieve their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families. Since the Women’s Opportunity Awards program began in 1972, it is estimated that $15 million has been disbursed and more than 20,000 women have been assisted.

Violet Richardson Award

A cash award honoring a young woman active in community service.

Our Awardee last year received $1,000

Please contact us with your recommendations for worthy receipients.

PROGRAMS

Baskets of Hope

Laundry baskets filled to the brim with essential housekeeping goods.

Soroptimists custom make these baskets for the women transitioning from a domestic abuse shelter to their new lives! Our goal is to relieve just a little of the financial burden of setting up "home" from scratch and to let these women know they are not alone.

Last year we helped 34 women and their children!

Journey Of Hope (www.johgriefsupport.org)

Journey of Hope is a wonderful volunteer organization in Plano helping children, teens and their families recover from the death of a loved one through grief counseling. Soroptimist's outreach to Journey of Hope is to provide and serve meals on an "as needed" basis.

We served meals to over 200 children, their families, and Jouney of Hope volunteers last year!

Promising Partners

Soroptimists have chosen Promising Partners, a school-age-parent mentoring program, as a new community outreach.

How will Soroptimists assist Promising Partners?

Day Planners -- With a new baby, doctor's appointments, and school, the parents need a way to keep chaos at bay and organize their daily life.
Quarterly Baby Showers -- "Bundle of Joy" Baskets with essential baby items.
Car Seats -- Car Seat Drive, possibly with a manufacturer or insurance company or other sponsor.
Mentoring a Teen Parent -- Promising Partners is currently serving the Lewisville ISD and expanding to the Denton ISD.

For more information contact Brandy Schimmel at Brandybis123@aol.com or go to www.promisingpartners.org