Founded in 1921, Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. Our years of experience working with women and girls has taught us that education is the key to unlocking economic empowerment of the world's women and girls. When women and girls are educated, they have opportunity, choice and power to make healthy decisions for themselves and their families.
Our core values of gender equality, empowerment, education, diversity and fellowship lead us to mentor girls, give single moms a boost, and fight sex trafficking through the following programs:
Our Live Your Dream Awards: Soroptimist's signature Live Your Dream Awards program is a grant for women who provide the primary financial support for their families. The Live Your Dream Awards give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects. More than half of our recipients are survivors of domestic violence, trafficking or sexual assault. Nearly all of the women and families we serve have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, teen pregnancy, and drug or alcohol addiction. Recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare, tuition and transportation. Recipients are matched with professional mentors to attain their goals.
Our Dream It, Be It: Career Support for High School Girls gives participants the tools they need to achieve their education and career goals, empowering them to break cycles of poverty, violence and abuse. Although most people face barriers, we prioritize working with those who have additional obstacles including poverty, unstable home lives, foster care or teen motherhood. We work in small groups to provide the information and resources our participants want and need to be successful.
Topics we cover:
- Career opportunities
- Setting and achieving goals
- Overcoming obstacles to success
- Moving forward after setbacks or failures
Soroptimist International of Davis is at the forefront of bringing awareness to the issue of human trafficking and collaborates with the Yolo County anti-trafficking task force and Commercially Sexually Exploited Children outreach program. This builds the capacity of our local law enforcement, health care organizations and community partners to prevent and address this form of modern human slavery. Our hygiene kits and hotel stay vouchers are tangible and compassionate means by which we support victims as they escape and begin their journey of recovery and healing.