Eastern Canada Region of Soroptimist International of the America - SIA Stoney Creek

Economic and Social Development:

Women's Opportuntiy Award - Applications go out to Brock University, Niagara College, Mohawk College and McMaster University the winner receives a cheque and a certificate.
Violet Richardson Award - Applications go out to local High Schools and volunteer Agencies. The winner and her volunteer organization both receive a cheque, a certificate and are celebrated at a special dinner.

Education:

Bursaries available for a female secondary student two from Stoney Creek and one from Grimsby who is graduating and pursuing an education at college or university in a business or professional program.

Human Rights/Status of Women:

We have been partnering with the YWCA of St. Catharines with hands on projects such as redecorating various rooms within two of their buildings. We have also supported them with financial assistance. This is one of our ongoing projects.
Hannah House a shelter for women - we offer financial support.
Our Club has redecorated a large portion of Wesley Urban Ministries Centre on Queen St. in Hamilton.
We provide financial support to Women's Resource Centre of Beamsville/Smithville.
Our Club is involved with Second Stage Housing in Grimsby where we paint and clean, stock the cupboard, make sure the new family has enough dishes, towels, bedding etc. We try to make it a home. Our project was dubbed "Tender Loving Care" with a plaque in the apartment. We also support this family at Christmas donating food vouchers and gifts.
We are supplying St. Catharine's General Hospital, Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital and McMaster Medical Center with Comfort Kits to sexual and domestic assault victims. The Comfort Bags contain toiletries, kleenex, a Guardian Angel pin, Teddy Bear. If needed they are also supplied with a change of clothing. We want to make them feel like they are not alone. Our club has recently received a Making a Difference for Women grant valued at $3,000US which we are using, supplemented with our own funds, to supply "Comfort Kits" to three regional sexual and domestic assault centres. This third grant brings our total Making a Difference for Women grants received to $13,000US.

International Goodwill and Understanding:

We provide financial support to the SI Quadrennial Project 2007-2011: Project Sierra. This is a four year partnership with Hope and Homes for Children which aims to raise over $2,000,000.00 U.S. to transform the lives of the most alienated and marginalized children and families within Sierra Leone.
The 2007 President's Appeal: Obstetric Fistula. This is a degrading situation for women who are often ostracized and the cost for surgical repair is $300.00.