Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley presented $7,000 in grants and scholarships at its May business meeting, dividing $6,500 between three non-profit organizations which share Zonta’s mission of improving the lives of women, and $500 to a high school student with a strong record of leadership and community service. The club will present another $500 in June to a young woman college student majoring in business.

The club’s non-profit Zonta Foundation received six qualifying applications for its Community Grants program and chose three recipients: the Boys and Girls Club of SCV for its “Sparkles” program, Carousel Ranch for its Go Girl Equestrian Therapy Scholarships, and the Single Mothers Outreach Case Management Program.

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The Boys & Girls Club Sparkles program is based on the nationally acclaimed Boys and Girls Club SMART Girls (Skills Mastery and Resistance Training) program that equips girls with basic life skills, problem-solving and decision making abilities, and communication skills to help them develop crucial lifestyles and attitudes necessary to become healthy, successful women. The local program will target approximately 40 girls between the ages of 7 and 9. Accepting the award was the club’s Chief Professional Officer, Jim Ventress (at right)

Heather Edwards of Carousel Ranch (left) accepted the award for the Go Girl program, which will enable two low-income girls of single mothers to receive scholarships to support weekly equestrian therapy sessions. The goal of the project is to improve the health and wellbeing of children with special needs, while providing a supportive peer environment and financial assistance with therapy to their mothers.

The Single Mothers Outreach program (represented by DaAnne Smith, right) provides individual case needs assessment and program development for single mother families. Objectives are to assist single mothers in developing benchmarks and goals for personal and economic stability, coordinate the myriad of services needed by these single parent households, and to monitor progress of all family members living in single-parent households.

“We were happy to have three outstanding applicants who fit Zonta’s mission well,” said Michelle Dow, Community Grants Committee chair. “Each of these grants will have a direct impact on the lives of women and girls in our community.”

Zonta awarded its Young Women in Public Affairs award to Josephine Romea (at left), a senior at West Ranch High School. The award recognizes young women for their commitment to volunteerism, leadership achievements and dedication to advancing the status of women. Josephine is active in both school and community service opportunities, serving as editor of the West Ranch newspaper, secretary of the West Ranch Key Club, co-founder of the SCV Girls’ Leadership club, and a member of her school’s girls’ varsity golf team and National Honor Society.

She participated in the UNIV Youth Congress in Rome, where she had the opportunity to learn more of varying cultures and social backgrounds throughout the world. In addition to her $500 local award, Josephine has been entered in the Zonta District 9 competition, which will select a winner to represent the district and local club on the Zonta International level.

“Zonta International believes young women are the key to women’s advancement in the field of public service,” explained Suzanne Alziebler, Zonta’s YWIPA Committee chair. “The YWIPA award encourages young women who have demonstrated leadership skills and interest in civic causes to continue pursuing their dreams.”

Christine Brungard, a student at Woodbury University pursuing a degree in Business Management and Communications, will receive Zonta’s Jane M. Klausman Women in Business award at the club’s June business meeting.