Soroptimists award grants to two area nonprofits
May 20, 2023
(From press release) Soroptimist International of Davis recently awarded grants to two nonprofits, to improve the lives of women and girls in Yolo County.
The club distributed $3,000 in Community Grants between the two organizations. Make it Happen for Yolo County received $1,900, and Grace in Action received $1,100.
Make it Happen will use its Soroptimist funds to provide at least four young women in the UC Davis Guardian Scholars program with the furniture and appliances they need to furnish their apartments at the start of the school year. Guardian Scholars are students who have experienced foster care.
Grace in Action will use its Soroptimist grant money to provide stop-gap services for very low income individuals, and those without safe shelter. It will pay for motel rooms, hearty lunches, laundry vouchers, transportation passes and haircuts.
Jan Judson, board president for Make It Happen for Yolo County, said they are grateful to Soroptimist International of Davis for the grant.
“The National Women’s Law Center says women are at higher risk of being evicted than men, and we know that young renters with no resources to properly care for their apartments are much more likely to be evicted,” Judson said. “We also know that students with healthy living environments are more likely to continue their education. By providing these young women with tools to care for their home, we are setting them up to be safe, successful first-time renters who can succeed in school and career.”
Lorell Hardaker, board vice president for Grace in Action, echoed that sentiment. “Grace in Action is so grateful for our Community Grant, which will bring relief to our guests when they receive their laundry voucher or a bus pass for transportation to an appointment. The grant will spread joy to guests receiving a haircut or a motel room.”
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.
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.
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