Soroptimists award grants to three nonprofits

Yolo County teens Bella and Abby participate in Thriving Pink’s comfort bag making at its Volunteer Day. The bags contain breast cancer-specific wellness and support items to be given to patients at local infusion centers and healthcare offices. The nonprofit received a Soroptimist grant for its Youth Education and Support outreach project directed at teen girls. (Courtesy photo)

(From press release) Soroptimist International of Davis recently awarded grants to three local nonprofits: Thriving Pink, CommuniCare Mobile Medicine and Mutual Housing of California.

The club distributed $5,000 in Community Grants between the three organizations. “Our committee received high quality grant applications that aligned with the Soroptimist mission, vision and values,” said Lisa Adda, SI Davis president and chair of its Community Grants Committee. “Our core values are gender equality, empowerment, education, and diversity/fellowship, and our committee prioritized those in awarding these funds.”

Adda said this year’s grants help women and girls “with education as it relates to breast cancer, empowerment through emergency shelter, and diversity ­by reaching an important audience.”

Thriving Pink received $1,850 for its Youth Education and Support outreach project. Through this project, Soroptimist International of Davis will fund outreach to teenage girls. This includes education on breast cancer, cancer prevention and healthy lifestyles, opportunities for meaningful volunteerism, and resources and support for those diagnosed – and their families. The nonprofit gets many requests from high school clubs asking for speakers on the topic. After her diagnosis with breast cancer, Guillermina Perez said, “I hope to inspire others, including my two teenage girls, to understand that seeking help and giving back is a sign and source of strength.” 

CommuniCare physician Ian Kim, left, social worker Erika Chapman and registered nurse Laura Wrightwood pose in front of a Mobile Medicide van. The nonprofit received a Soroptimist grant to purchase motel vouchers for female-identified patients who need emergency shelter. (Courtesy photo)

CommuniCare Mobile Medicine received $1,600 to purchase motel vouchers for female-identified patients who need emergency shelter. According to the application, “The mobile medical team often encounters … patients who tolerate unsafe relationships in exchange for shelter. This program will allow the team to provide these patients with a respite from their circumstances. Together with behavioral and medical support, we hope that this respite may give patients the space and support they need to find safer shelter. … By removing the need for shelter from the patient’s list of priorities, we can empower them to make choices that support their health, safety and independence.”

Mutual Housing of California interns Humaira Hassanzada, Aisha Rahimi and Karima Osmani celebrate Eid on May 2 with youths in their program. Mutual Housing California received a Soroptimist grant for one of its projects for girls and young women. (Courtesy photo)

Mutual Housing California received $1,550 from SI Davis to support its Race Equity Diversity and Inclusion Youth Project at its Spring Lake complex. The program, part of its MVP Youth Empowerment Program, creates a space for girls ages 13-17 to address any mental health concerns, creates peer-to-peer relationships, and explores career opportunities. It reminds girls of their power and value. Participants go through an six-week series, learning social and emotional skills, college options, and career exploration.

SI Davis has several fundraisers a year, and reinvests all of its profits in its programs and projects. These include Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women; and Dream It, Be It: Career Support for High School Girls. It also funds high school scholarships, anti-trafficking efforts, and these Community Grants to like-minded nonprofits.

“As we prepare for our next year of fundraising with the theme ‘Building Community, Working Together,’ we have already seen the impact of these grants on our community,” Adda said. “During our May program meeting, we introduced the grant recipients to our club, and it was wonderful to see our recipients connecting with each other and exchanging contact information with the goal of planning colloaborative, community efforts.”

Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. The service club was founded in Oakland in October 1921. Soroptimist International of Davis was chartered in 1954. A second Davis club, SI Greater Davis, chartered in 1985. Local members join some 75,000 Soroptimists in 122 countries and territories to contribute time and financial support to community-based projects benefiting women and girls. For more information on the club, visit https://sidavis.org or like its Facebook or Instagram pages: @SoroptimistDavis.