Davis Soroptimists present community grants

A baby gets a checkup at a Communicare Health Center. A Soroptimist grant will fund a new postpartum group for moms in need. Courtesy photo.

(From press release) This spring, Soroptimist International of Davis awarded $6,500 in funds to like-minded nonprofits through its annual Community Grants program.

The following organizations received awards:

• Communicare Health Centers received $2,000, to supply a new postpartum group providing moms and babies with the best start possible through education, community support and health care.
• Thriving Pink earned $1,500 for educational workshops to support local breast cancer survivors.
• Yolo Diaper Bank received $1,000 to purchase the supplies needed to wrap and deliver 100,000 diapers over the year to agencies that distribute diapers to families that would otherwise not have enough.
• Yolo Children’s Fund was awarded $1,000 to meet the needs of girls and teens who are abused or disadvantaged. It funds special projects, needs or educational enrichment that would otherwise go unmet.
• Short-Term Emergency Aid Committee received $1,000 for legal documents to help individuals get housing, employment and aid, especially women who need to support their children or escape violence.

Thriving Pink beneficiary Elsa Feldman shows a mask from the bag of support materials. The nonprofit received a grant from Soroptimist International of Davis for workshops to support local breast cancer survivors. Courtesy photo.

The awards go to nonprofit organizations that align with the Soroptimist mission. Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. Applications are assessed for their alignment to Soroptimist goals, their community impact and feasibility. The grants were distributed to the organizations without the planned awards night, which was canceled due to COVID-19.

Funds for the grants came from SI Davis’ major fundraiser, selling local beer and wine at the Davis Farmers Market each Wednesday evening, April through October. That income disappeared when Picnic in the Park was canceled for the 2020 season. However, it recovered some of those losses with a successful Big Day of Giving fundraiser. The club thanks the community for its continued support.

Jill Moss, left, Becky Beaman, top, and Zora Fowler of Yolo Diaper Bank unload donated diapers. Soroptimist International of Davis gave the nonprofit a grant to purchase supplies for 100,000 diapers.

Soroptimist was founded in Oakland in 1921. Davis was chartered in 1954. A second Davis club, Greater Davis, formed in 1985. Local members join some 80,000 Soroptimists in 120 countries and territories to contribute time and financial support to community-based projects benefiting women and girls.

SI Davis volunteers have sold beer at the Davis Farmers Market for 25 years. It reinvests all profits back into its programs and projects. These include Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women, and Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls at King High School. It also funds high school scholarships, grants to nonprofits that align with the Soroptimist mission, and anti-trafficking efforts. For more information on the club, visit https://sidavis.org or like its Facebook or Instagram pages: @SoroptimistDavis.