SI of the Tri-Cities
Meeting Information
Date: First Wednesday of the month
Place: Port Coquitlam Community Centre
Social: 6:30 pm
Meeting: 7:00 pm
Email: sitricities@soroptimist.net
Website: www.soroptimisttricities.org
Chartered in 1999, Soroptimist International of the TriCities serves the communities of Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam. We are part of Soroptimist International, a global volunteer organization of over 75,000 women, working to transform the lives and status of women and girls, often at risk, through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities.
Our club has a membership of over 40 women, and our community impact has grown since its inception through dedicated volunteers, community sponsorships and grants. Our club is solely volunteer-driven, and we are honoured to be recognized as an integral service provider for women in the communities we serve.
With the mandate to educate, enable, and empower girls and women, Soroptimist of the Tri-Cities has adapted our programs to continue supporting these girls and women through the Covid19 pandemic and beyond.
Our programs include:
A Warm Place for Women – a monthly event providing freshly cooked meals, friendship, education, clothing and household items to 1000+ vulnerable women and their children annually. Throughout the pandemic, the club adapted to offer home delivery of food and food hampers to support those experiencing food insecurity.
Bea’s Kloset is a free “store” for girls and women who leave foster care and transition homes. Bea’s Kloset provides new or gently used household items such as linens, dishes, small appliances, etc., to assist in setting up their new home. During Covid, curbside delvers were offered to women and their social workers.
CABE Lunch and Learn – a monthly mentoring and educational program for at-risk teen girls attending this alternate school. Workshops include teen-sensitive topics like safe relationships, employment opportunities, nutrition, budgeting, stereotyping, body image, and self-esteem. This program paused during the Covid pandemic but is set to resume.
Suwa’lkh– a monthly educational, mentorship and friendship program for at-risk teen girls in the local school district. (on hold through Covid19)
Dream it Be It: Career Support for Girls– an educational conference and online career library for teen girls, exploring goals and careers, followed up by monthly workshops
Give Her Wings Awards and Grants for post-secondary education - over $150,000 awarded to vulnerable women returning to school or outstanding teen girls who volunteer in the community.
Walk a Mile – an educational “walk” with men to encourage a societal discussion on gender equity and issues facing women today (violence, discrimination, etc.…)
And many more – Annual Christmas hampers, monthly social evenings at a local recovery house, supporting refugees in our community, and the list could go on.