Human Trafficking Awareness

One type of slavery and exploitation that continues to proliferate at an alarming rate—and that has a particular relevance to women and girls—is sex trafficking/slavery.

Soroptimist International has a voice in the United Nations that has been heard. In the United States, the first National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness launched on January 11, 2008. Nationally, club members placed sex slavery awareness cards in visible locations throughout their communities.

Soroptimist International of Brea/La Habra is committed to working with the F.B.I., police stations, women's centers, hospitals, religious organizations and community leaders to raising public awareness that human trafficking happens in all locations and walks of life. No city or neighborhood is outside the realm of human trafficking.

If you suspect an incident of trafficking in the United States, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s 24-hour toll-free hotline number at 888-3737-888.

Visit these Soroptimist locations for more information on Human Trafficking Awareness.

www.soroptimist.org/trafficking/trafficking.html

www.soroptimist.org/trafficking/FAQ.html

www.soroptimist.org/trafficking/stopping.html

Local Scholarships

At Soroptimist International of Brea/La Habra we honor local students and award qualifying applicants with scholorships.

Educational Scholarships – four awards

Maxine Whisnant Scholarships – two awards

Memorial Scholarships – four awards

For more information, qualifications and application forms please contact us at info@soroptimistblh.org.

Making a Difference for Women

At Soroptimist International of Brea/La Habra, local women who have made an extraordinary impact on improving the lives of women and girls through their personal or professional activites, are honored with the Making a Difference for Women award. The honoree is then eligible for additional awards at other levels of Soroptimist International. One award winner is chosen for the finalist awards and a $5,000 contribution is made to the recipient's charity of choice.

Making a Difference for Women Award nomination form (.doc)

For more information, qualifications and application forms, please contact us at info@soroptimistblh.org.

Project Safe Date

Sponsored by Soroptimist International of Brea/La Habra in collaboration with STOP-GAP, Project Safe Date is a program of interactive play performances about inappropriate dating behavior. Each performance takes place in local junior high and high school classrooms.

STOP GAP is an award winning educational theater group that works with students through role playing and engaging students in interactive discussions.

Senior Fall Prevention

Conscious of the difficulties of people of all ages, Soroptimist International of Brea/La Habra sponsors a Senior Fall Prevention class that focuses on seniors and the daily threat of falling. This class offers information on being aware of what hazards contribute to falling and what to do in the event of falling. Planning for, and being able to access an emergency kit after a fall, are critical to the safety and well-being of seniors.

Violet Richardson Award

Named for the president of the first Soroptimist club, the Violet Richardson Award honors local girls, ages 14 to 17, for doing exceptional volunteer work in their communities. On behalf of the recipient, a donation is made to her chosen charity.

The Violet Richarson Award recipient is then eligible for additional awards at other levels of Soroptimist International. One winner is chosen for the finalist award and a $2,500 contibution is made to the recipient's charity of choice.

Violet Richardson Award club information (.pdf)

Application forms personally provided to nominees by club members.

For more information, qualifications and application forms, please contact us at info@soroptimistblh.org.

Women's Opportunity Award

At Soroptimist International of Brea/La Habra, we provide cash grants to head-of-household women who wish to obtain additional education or skills training. These women have overcome enormous personal obstacles, such as drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence and poverty. Eligible applicants must be women who provide the primary financial need to support their families, who are enrolled or accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program. They must show finanical need and not already have an undergraduate degree.

Women's Opportunity Award application (.pdf)

For more information and qualifications, please contact us at info@soroptimistblh.org.

Women's Self-Defense Class

Helping women and girls of all ages to put safety first, Soroptimist International of Brea/La Habra sponsors a yearly Women's Self-Defense class. Whether a first-time attendee or yearly regular, reinforcing skills, tips and interactive techniques are offered on how to prevent or react in attack situations.