Grants to help hardworking women achieve academic dreams.

Women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families and seek financial assistance to go back to school can now obtain applications for the Women’s Opportunity Awards, Soroptimist International of Santa Clarita Valley’s major service project.

Since 1972, the Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Award program has provided women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families with the financial resources to offset costs associated with their efforts to attain higher or additional skills and training. The award can be used for tuition, books, childcare, carfare, or any other education-related expense.  The Soroptimist International of Santa Clarita Valley will provide a $3,000 cast grant to its award recipient, who will then advance to the Soroptimist Region level, where one recipient will receive $5,000.  The program culminates with three finalist $10,000 awards.

Soroptimist International of Santa Clarita Valley is a volunteer service organization for business and professional women dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world.  Founded in 1974, the Santa Clarita Valley is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas.  Santa Clarita Valley members join with almost 100,000 Soroptimist in about 120 countries and territories to contribute time and financial support to community-based projects benefiting women.

In addition to participating in the Women’s Opportunity Awards program, Soroptimist International of Santa Clarita Valley helps women through their Women’s Outreach Program.  More information about how Soroptimist improves the lives of women and girls, and applications for the Awards are available by contacting Pamela Jaffke at (661) 255-9880.  Completed applications must be returned to P.O. Box 55826 , Valencia, CA   91385 by December 15.