Soroptimist International of the San Tans

The Soroptimist Ruby Award recognizes a woman in the community with wisdom, vitality, strengths, power and compassion.  This year’s Ruby Award went to the inspirational and fearless Monalou Callery, founder of the National Advocacy and Training Network and the Assistant Director of the Diane Halle Center for Family Justice at the ASU College of Law.  In 2002, Ms Callery helped found the National Advocacy and training Network with the mission of addressing the health, safety, economic and social justice issues related to domestic violence, sexual assault and substance abuse.  The agency’s premiere program, Support, Education, Empowerment & Directions (SEEDS), established in 2003, provides transitional housing and a comprehensive array of supportive services to the highly underserved and marginalized population of sexual assault and domestic violence survivors in recovery.

My Sister’s Place, a local domestic violence shelter, was recognized as the. The Soroptimist club helped great a Serenity Garden at one of the homes in the My Sister’s Place network to provide a place for reflection for women.

The signature Women’s Opportunity Award was granted to Claudio Andrade Franco.  Ms Franco is pursuing a Bachelors degree in Social Work at ASU, works for a local social services agency and also serves as a role model to her four children, ages 11 – 17.  The Women’s Opportunity Awards program includes cash grants for women seeking to improve their economic situation through additional training and/or education.   New this year, the Soroptimist Club gave three “San Tan Awards” to individuals at Helping Hands for Single Moms, Maggie’s Place and NATN/SEEDS Program to women who are working to overcome obstacles and still giving back to the community.

Please click on photos below to view.

The club recognized two local high school students – Alexis LaBenz and Samantha Bonar – honoring young women for volunteer action.  Miss LaBenz, a 18-year-old Perry High School senior, is an active volunteer with Girls Scouts and founded the GS GEMS (Girls Educating, Empowering and Mentoring with Support)  program, — their mission is to break the silence and bring awareness about human trafficking to other teens and adults.    Miss Bonar, of Basha High School, has created two volunteer groups to fill needs she found in the community.  Sew for Survivors creates cloth bags to help collect personal items from children being removed from abusive situations.  No Bear Left Behind helps match underclassmen in crisis with upperclassmen to help prevent teen suicide.

Chandler Soroptimists’ Award Over $9,000 to Local Women and Girls

With over 140 attendees, the luncheon was held on April 19^th at the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Resort and Hotel.  The Soroptimist local Chandler service club provided grants to young women for exemplary volunteer efforts and to single mothers working on bettering their education and careers.  The luncheon theme showed that “The Power of One” can truly impact and make a difference in the life of many.  President Deborah Arteaga shown in photo.

Local businesses that helped sponsor this event include:  MAXIMUS, Chandler Firefighters Charities Organization, Martinez & Shanken PLCC, Center Stage Communication, JA Associates, Sun Devil Auto, and Sunt Construction, as well as donations from many local residents.

See the latest issue at www.santansun.com on page 58 for an article about our upcoming awards luncheon.

It’s not too late to buy your ticket!  Buy tickets or donate online at this link

Join us at this year’s event to hear the compelling and inspirational stories shared by this year’s winners and to publicly acknowledge their achievements.

Saturday of Service: A total of 16 people (Soroptimist members and their family) descended upon the My Sister’s Place, local domestic violence center, to construct a Serenity Garden for the women and children living in the shelter. Members constructed 3 planting beds which were then filled with vegetables, flowers and herbs. The Garden can be used by the residents as a quiet place for meditation, relaxation and reflection. The gardens will provide color as well as herbs and vegetables that can be used in the house. The Director of My Sister’s Place, Peggy Dudinyak was thrilled with the final product and knew that the women and children would appreciate this special place.

Want to maximize your donation?  SI of San Tans participates in the Birdies for Charity program from Thunderbird Charities which offers a 10% bonus on the total donation.  Pledges are due by February 5, 2012.