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Soroptimist International of Idyllwild is seeking women who are head of household, and are attending a college or trade school. Scholarship winners will receive a cash scholarship valued between $750 to $1,000 to assist them in achieving their continued education goal. Applicants must live anywhere between Poppet Flats and Pinyon Pines, including Anza, to be eligible. Deadline for applying is Saturday, Jan. 27.
The Soroptimist Live Your Dream award assists eligible women by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills, and employment prospects. According to www.liveryourdream.org, education is the single-most effective intervention to help women, girls and their families lead better lives.
Since 1972, the international nonprofit has awarded about $30 million to tens of thousands of women through this program. The recipient for the Idyllwild Live Your Dream award not only receives a cash award, but the knowledge that she has an army of Soroptimist members behind her.
One winner of the Idyllwild award will have an opportunity to receive more cash awards at the regional level. Funds received may be used for books, tuition, babysitting or any other need that will assist the awardee in achieving their educational goals.
Originally called the Women’s Opportunity Award, the Idyllwild chapter has gifted more than $8,000 Live Your Dream Awards since 2012. This does not include the regular scholarships the Idyllwild chapter gives out annually. The 2017 award winners, Leslie Stevenson and Gabriela Vargas, received $1,000 each; both women are still taking classes. Past local recipients include women who are working as registered nurses, as well as nonprofit executive directors.
If eligible applicants from the local community don’t come forward before the Jan. 27 deadline, the Idyllwild club will be forced to reach out to another club to secure an award winner or winners. As shared by Theresa Teel, president of Soroptimist International of Idyllwild, “We are dedicated to supporting women and girls in and around Idyllwild, so our preference is to award a local applicant.”
To learn more about the program award or to apply, call Karen Doshier at 951-452-4599.
