[Soroptimist International]


SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL
OF
CLOVERDALE

-A WORLDWIDE SERVICE ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN-
Thinking Globally--Acting Locally

What's What's New in Cloverdale in Cloverdale

Our Vision

Our Mission
To be the voluntary service organization chosen by all business and professional women committed to improving the lives of women and girls
 Improving the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world

Soroptimist International of Cloverdale is part of the world's largest classified service organization for executive and professional women, Soroptimist International. Soroptimists provide assistance to communities through six programs of service:

  • ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
  • EDUCATION
  • ENVIRONMENT
  • HEALTH
  • HUMAN RIGHTS/STATUS OF WOMEN
  • INTERNATIONAL GOODWILL AND UNDERSTANDING

[SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF THE AMERICAS]

Sharing of our time, talents and financial resources, Soroptimists enrich our communities by:

-improving the lives of women and girls
-helping women achieve economic and political equality
-serving as a global voice for women
-providing outstanding leadership development opportunities for women
-working to enhance world peace and understanding

A Soroptimist is a leader in her community. She is actively engaged in a management or professional capacity, in the private or public sector, or in any occupation with comparable status or comparable responsibilities.

Soroptimists identify the needs of our community and establish projects that best address these needs. In addition to our commitment to the local community, Soroptimists are concerned with effecting change at national and international levels to improve the quality of life for people throughout the world, and particularly to advance the status of women.

ON A LOCAL LEVEL

Since its charter in 1981, Soroptimist International of Cloverdale has been actively engaged in providing service to our community. The Boy's and Girl's Club of Cloverdale was founded by the Soroptimists. As Soroptimists, we offer citizenship awards and vocational scholarships to teens as well as training awards to women in job market re entry programs. We sponsor the Blood Bank, contribute to Family Service, Ponytail League and the C.A.R.E. Foundation and supply books to Jefferson School for the Reading is Fundamental Program.

ON A REGIONAL LEVEL

Soroptimist International of Cloverdale belongs to Founder Region, so named because it was in this region that Soroptimist originated in 1921. Founder Region has a permanent identifying Fellowship program for women graduate students which is presented annually for the purpose of encouraging women students to prepare for careers in public service, international relations, political science, languages, medicine, sociology and other areas of study. The awards are granted to women working toward the doctoral degree, preferably those in their final year of study. They must be enrolled in a university within Founder Region.

ON A NATIONAL LEVEL

 Soroptimist International of the Americas, (SIA) support the following programs: 

    1. Women's Opportunity Awards-This program aids women who, as primary wage-earners for their families, must enter or             return to the workforce.
    2. Club Grants for Women and Girls- This program awards Soroptimist clubs capital for initiating or continuing innovative     community projects that benefit women and girls.
    3. Domestic Violence Initiatives-Preventing and eliminating domestic violence is a major SIA focus
    4. Violet Richardson Awards-This award recognizes young women who make the community and world a better place                 through volunteer efforts.
    5. Disaster Relief Fund for Women and Girls-This fund provides financial assistance to regions affected by natural disasters     or acts of war.
    6. Making a Difference for Women Award-This program acknowledges women who, through personal and professional             activities, work to improve the lives of other women and girls.

ON AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

SIA is one of four federations making up Soroptimist International, coordinating global projects such as Project Sierra: A Family and A Future, the 2007-2011 Quadrennial Project.  In partnership with Hope and Homes for Children, Soroptimist International hopes to raise over $2 million to transform the lives of some of the most deprived women and children in Sierra Leone, a country that has just celebrated the first year of peace in over a decade.  The partnership has three components:
    1.      Young Mother Support: The poverty and exploitation of women during war has contributed to an increase in teenage pregnancy.  The project aims to reintegrate these young with their families or empower them to be independent members of their communities.  School and vocational training will be provided, along with childcare, giving the  mothers a firm foundation for their futures.
    2.    Children Living Alone: This section will focus on children under the age of 12 living on the streets.  The project will provide children with individual counseling, access to healthcare and nutritious meals.
    3.      Integrated Child and Family Support: Community leaders will help identify the most vulnerable families for assistance.  Each child and family will receive an individually tailored support package, providing health care, safe and secure housing, education and access to income generation.

The project has its own web site, www.projectSierra.org. 


Soroptimist International of Cloverdale has brought together many dedicated volunteers to share their experiences and expertise through continued community service. We welcome all interested persons to attend one of our meetings and learn more about our role in this community.



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Last Updated:September 2008
WebMaster:Sydney Sciaini