SERVICE PROGRAMS

Walk with Me – ‘Journey to Freedom Gala’

The Soroptimist's of Stoney Creek-Niagara received a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ at the 3rd Annual Walk with Me ‘Journey to Freedom Gala’ on January 27th 2013 at Hamilton's Carmen's Banquet Center. The Certificate was in appreciation for Sponsoring the event with other Organizations and businesses. The Soroptimist's have continued to support ‘Walk With Me’ since the summer of 2012. ‘The Journey to Freedom Gala’ recognized key individuals who have supported the organization throughout the year, honoured survivors of human trafficking, and raised funds for the organization to continue supporting victims of human trafficking. Award recipients included Police agencies, community and international supporters. This fundraising event was very successful and inspirational with speeches by victims of human trafficking.

It is estimated that 12.3 to 27 million people globally are currently living in bonded labour, child labour, or sexual servitude. The majority are women and children. The Hamilton-Niagara area has had high profile trafficking cases.

The Soroptimist's raise awareness of this important issue with their "Stop Trafficking Card" and "Live Your Dream" campaign. They also support local organizations like "Walk With Me, who house victims and provide education to Law Enforcement Agencies.

The Soroptimist's continue to work to secure the passage of "Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act " at the US Congress and globally advocates for victims of trafficking. January 11th is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Pictured below are Stoney Creek-Niagara Soroptimist's with Walk With Me founder, Timea Nagy, and front line worker, Jennifer Lucking. Visit www.liveyourdream.org to learn more.

Economic and Social Development:

On March 5th, 2012, we held our Awards Dinner at a lovely restaurant in Winona, Ontario.

Women's Opportunity Award

Women’s Opportunity Award is a grant awarded to female heads of households who need additional skills, training and education to enable them to upgrade their employment status or re-enter the workforce so they can provide adequately for themselves and their families.

Due to confidentiality, our Women’s Opportunity Award recipient has asked that we do not publish her name and personal information. We know that through her determination, dedication and positive outlook, she will achieve her goals and realize her dreams.

Violet Richardson Award

Honoring Young Women for Volunteer Action. The Violet Richardson Award recognizes young women ages 14-17 engaged in volunteer action within their communities or schools. The award is given to young women whose volunteer activities make the community and world a better place. Applications go out to local High Schools and volunteer Agencies. The winner and her volunteer organization both receive a cheque and certificate.

Allison Fehrman received the club Violet Richardson Award, which recognizes young women between the ages of 14 and 17 who make the community a better place through volunteer efforts. Allison is pictured with President Carol French and Director Teresa Calligaro who are presenting the award for her work on the mayor's Youth Advisory Committee of St. Catharines. She has also initiated and organized many programs for Big Brothers, children's clubs, student action and Caravan of Character, to name just a few.

Ruby Award (formerly Making a Difference for Women Award)

This Award honours a woman who has worked to improve the lives of women and girls through her professional or volunteer work. Although not a Soroptimist (Soroptimists are not eligible), her efforts help to promote the issues that are important to our organization while offering an inspirational story about how to make a difference in the lives of women.

Congratulations to Sharon Pazzaglia, pictured here, receiving the Ruby Award that honours women who, through their professional or personal efforts, have inspired, encouraged and improved the lives of women and girls. Sharon is recognized for work with the Niagara Region Sexual Assault Centre for the past 21 years. Sharon is a certified Child Assault Prevention program facilitator and currently works with staff to deliver the program to elementary schools. Sharon's role in creating independence in women and children and her relentless effort to guide them through the healing process by mentoring and education victims and their families has been a calling that she has been happy to answer.

HUMAN RIGHTS/STATUS OF WOMEN:

We have been partnering with the YWCA of St. Catharines with hands-on projects and financial assistance.

We offer financial support to Hannah House Maternity Home, Niagara Region’s only maternity home sheltering and supporting mothers, 21 years and under. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a secure, nurturing environment for the purpose of empowering adolescent mothers as self-sufficient individuals, parents and citizens.

On the weekend before International Women's Day 2011, members of the club travelled to Niagara Falls as part of the Soroptimist Saturday of Service to paint the walls of two rooms at Hannah House.

Pictured here after the completion of the job, covered in spots of paint, but happy for a job well done are: Janet, Carolyn, Joan, Marg, Pat, Billie and Jean. A special thanks to our Mr. Soroptimist, Ray Thombs for "climbing the walls" and patching holes!

Throughout the year, members of our club visit a housing unit that is part of West Niagara Second Stage Housing, where we clean, paint and re-stock the cupboards for a mother and her children, who are coming out of a women's shelter. This unit is where she can live for up to a year while she receives counseling and gains the skills required to make her way independently in the world

Pictured from left to right are members Brenda Vanderlinden, Kathie Grosul, Deb McGhee,
Debbie Senft, Program Co-ordinator for Second Stage Housing, and member Carolyn Thombs.

Members participated in cleaning and stocking a transitional home for a woman and her two children who are taking up residency in our community after spending time in a shelter. The cupboards are stocked with food and gift cards are left for other grocery or sundry items. The Mom and her children stay in this safe house provided by West Niagara Second Stage Housing for up to a year while she receives counseling and training for her future independence.

Shown in order from left to right is Marg Scott, Dian Kuzyk our President Elect, Deborah McGhee and new member Laila Zvejniek.French & Director Teresa Calligaro.

We also supply Comfort Kits for sexual and domestic assault victims at three of our local hospitals – St. Catharines General Hospital, McMaster Medical Centre, Hamilton and Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, Burlington. Each Comfort Kit contains toiletries, tissue, a Guardian Angel Pin and Teddy Bear. We want to make them feel that they are not alone. If required, we also supply a change of clothing. Our club has received a number of ‘Making a Difference for Women’ grants over the years, totaling $13,000 US, which have been used, along with our own funds, to supply the Comfort Kits.

It was our second year in helping to supply Birthing Kits for the Committee of the Joy and Hope of Haiti. The Birthing Kits were sent to hospitals and medical clinics in Haiti. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 1 in every 17 women die each year from complications due to childbirth in Haiti. For every 100,000 births, between 500 and 1000 will result in death, putting Haiti as having one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. Factors attributing to this high rate have been linked to inadequate access to health care facilities, high birth rates, early age pregnancy, malaria, tuberculosis and lack of skilled birth attendants. It is estimated that 60 percent of all deliveries are unattended in Haiti. Unsafe delivery procedures caused by using unclean instruments have resulted in high rates of infection after birth for both the mother and the child. On average, mothers have eight children or more and in many cases, when a mother passes away as a consequence of improper maternal care, she leaves the rest of the family without any support. A "Birthing Kit" includes: 1 clean razor blade; 2 pieces of string; gauze pads; a birthing mat (1 piece of computer paper); disposable gloves; soap; and a belly band (made out of new white bed sheets, cut into strips). It costs $0.25 to make a kit. These "birthing kits" are making a big difference in infant mortality rate. In this picture several members of our club are busy assembling the kits knowing that they are making life for a Haitian mother safer, easier & just a little bit better. All in all - a fun night and a great feeling knowing we're making a difference!

INTERNATIONAL GOODWILL:

We provide financial support to the Soroptimist International Quadrennial Sierra Leone Project. This is a four year partnership with Hope and Homes for Children which aims to raise over $2,000,000 US to transform the lives of the most alienated and marginalized children and families. The 2007-2008 President’s Appeal for Obstetric Fistula. This is a degrading situation for women who are often ostracized. The cost for the surgical repair is $300 US.