Soroptimist International of the Conejo presents $8,000 in Service Awards to nine organizations

by Jacque Lockwood
Ventura County Star
July 2, 2010

 

 

 

Soroptimist International of the Conejo, a volunteer service organization, awarded $8,000 in service awards to non-profit organizations whose mission clearly melds with that of Soroptimist. The Soroptimist mission is “to improve the lives of women and girls in the local communities and through the world.”

 

The club presented the nine awards during its annual Service Awards Dinner on June 15, 2010, held at the Los Robles Golf Course. All of the recipients expressed their appreciation to the group and gave explanations of their organization’s activities and how the funds would be used.

 

In presenting the awards, Carole Blake, Service Committee Chair, said, "I'm grateful that our club was able to make awards to so many deserving organizations. More women and children are struggling to support themselves and their families, a situation that is clearly reflective of the economic climate”

 

This year's nine service award recipients are:

 

ASPIRAnet ($1,000) - Transitional Housing Program Plus is a transitional housing support program. It was developed to help youth, aged 18-24, moving from foster care to be self-sufficient. The goal of the program is to provide a safe living environment while helping youth to achieve self-sufficiency so that they can learn life skills. Represented by Robin Cruz-Bradley, Program Director.

 

Conejo Free Clinic ($1,000) - Funds will help to provide women with screening mammograms, diagnostic mammograms, routine lab work, breast ultrasounds, pelvic ultrasounds, abdominal ultrasounds, HIV and STD screening tests, pregnancy tests and counseling. Represented by Teresa Seeley, Executive Director.

 

Conejo Valley Women’s Resource Center ($1,000) - The grant will be used to provide educational materials to help improve the lives of women and girls. Such material equips clients with resources for additional parenting skills and preventative care information. Represented by Michelle Riethmayr, Executive Director.

 

Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast ($500) - Funds will be used to help provide scholarships and support programming dedicated to developing girls (grades K - 12) leadership, through Girl Scouts' troop program. This program links girls of similar ages with community-based volunteers who act as mentors, guiding and inspiring their troop through activities that build skills and traits associated with strong leadership such as social skills, decision-making techniques, teamwork, self confidence, and self awareness. Represented by Janet Rossi, Community Development Director

 

Hospice of the Conejo ($1,000) - Hospice provides comfort and dignity to those with a terminal illness and on-going support to loved ones. Funds will be used to support the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Program. Represented by Maria Prescott, Executive Director.

 

Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank ($500) - Funds will be used to help low income households with food needs (Thousand Oaks, Agoura, Westlake Village, Camarillo, Newbury Park). Represented by Julia Pauloo, Coordinator.

 

RAIN Project Transitional Living Center ($1,000) - Funds will be used for the "Moving Forward Program" which provides on-site crisis counseling to homeless residents of the RAIN Project. Represented by Issac Romeo, Coordinator.

 

Safe Passage ($1,000) - A transitional home in Sherman Oaks that helps women and children re-establish themselves into their own homes, new jobs, and new life within 3 months of services. Funds will be used for “Stepping Stones To A New Life” — helping women and their children one step at a time to a new life. Represented by Trish Steele, CEO.

 

Tanzania Nursing Scholarship Program ($1,000) - The mission of the Tanzanian Nursing Scholarship Program is to break young women out of the cycle of poverty, gain self respect, dignity and become a contributing member of their society by improving the lives of those around them. Funds will be used for sponsoring a limited number of students starting in the second year of their studies, which covers tuition and room and board, books and a personal allowance. 100% of the donation is applied to the assistance of students. Represented by SIOC member, Marie Noonan, accepting for Linda van Werkhooven, RN, Program Director.

 

For more information about Soroptimist International of the Conejo, please visit our web site at http://www.sioc.caminorealregion.org/

 

Read the article at vcstar.com.

 

This story is contributed by a member of the Ventura community and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with Ventura County Star