"Get Out," a new featured column by the Tri-City News, is an opportunity for community, sports and arts groups to get the word out about their programs and activities.
Introducing.... Soroptimist International of the Tri-Cities.
Soroptimist International of the Tri-Cities is a vibrant group of more than 40 women working to improve the lives of women and girls, here in our own community and around the globe.
Soroptimists invest in the dreams of women and girls by investing in their education. In the past five years, our club has given more than $104,000 in educational awards to women and teen girls.
Many community members look forward to and support our annual Give Her Wings awards event. This year, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of our club.
As well as the educational awards, we contribute to the well-being of our community in numerous ways.
Here are just two of them:
Warm Place for Women, now in its 16th year, is a monthly event where we provide a safe and inviting place for local women and children in need to gather, share a complimentary meal and make new social connections or grow existing ones. We also provide a clothing table for our guests to choose lightly used/new clothing and accessories. Over the last 12 months we have served up more than 1,000 meals to women and children in our community. Providing clothing to our guests has been described by them as "a lifeline." Our guests have explained to us that the clothing provided not only can boost confidence but also frees up much-needed funds which can then be used for other basic requirements.
Bea's Kloset is a "free store" in a storage locker for women and young girls transitioning to life on their own. They are referred by agencies within our community. Using household items donated by downsizing seniors, friends of Soroptimists, and other donors, our recipients are able to transform their new apartments into functional and comfortable homes. In the past year, we have helped 379 women and children transition to their next step in life.
Would you like to join us?
We meet as a club the first Wednesday every month except for July and August. Meetings are in the Port Coquitlam Community Centre with the next being Sept. 4.
To learn more about the club and our numerous other projects, you can go to our website, Facebook, Instagram or email [email protected]. Annual membership dues are $195.
