Soroptimist International of Laramie participates in the Rocky Mountain Region projects as well as in the Soroptimist International of the Americas and the Soroptimist International Projects.

Rocky Mountain Region Projects

Governor's Project

• Governor Barbara’s goal for the 2008-2010 biennium is $6000 to be divided between two worthwhile projects:

1. $1800 will go to support Hands of Hope Scholarships, a project of Into Your Hands... Your support will provide school tuition, school supplies and school lunches for 4 impoverished or orphaned girls so that they may attend St. Denis Secondary School in Makondo, Masaka District, Uganda.
2. $4200 will go to support the Little Rose Project, a project of Children of Peace... Your support will help girls in COPI’s rehabilitation shelter reclaim their lives after being caught in the web of human trafficking.

• Rocky Mountain Region offers a friendship grant to Soroptimists from another country each biennium to visit our Region.  Clubs may also form Friendship Links with other clubs around the world.

Soroptimist STOP Trafficking is a project that raises awareness about the sexual trafficking of women and girls, and seeks to encourage citizens, law makers and service providers to focus on this global problem.

Soroptimist Workplace Campaign to End Domestic Violence / Day of Unity - The workplace campaign takes place on November 25th (the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women), of each year.  Its aim is to assist victims of violence, and raise awareness of domestic violence as a workplace issue.

Soroptimist Club Grants for Women and Girls are awards given to Soroptimist clubs to start or continue projects in their communities that benefit women or girls, in accordance with the strategic plan of SIA.  Grant proposal instructions and forms can be requested from headquarters.

Soroptimist Disaster Relief Fund for Women and Girls provides funds for programs that assist women and girls after a man-made or natural disaster.  The Fund is replenished by club donations.  Club and Community Grants may be requested using a grant application available from headquarters.

Live Your Dream Campaign - Clubs also participate in the Live Your Dream campaign, which encourages all women to live their dreams while helping others to do the same.

Legislative Efforts

• SIA continues to advocate for ratification and monitoring of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), as it has since 1980, when the convention first opened for signature.  CEDAW is the most comprehensive international agreement which seeks the advancement of women throughout the world.  The United States is the only SIA country that has not ratified the Convention.
• SIA advocates for equal pay for equal work.  Women across the world are consistently paid less for the same work done by men.  Clubs are encouraged to advocate for equal pay in their communities and countries.

Soroptimist International (SI) Projects

Project Sierra: A Family and A Future partners with Hope and Homes for Children which aims to raise over $2 million to transform the lives of some of the most deprived women and children in the world.  The project will concentrate on the most alienated and marginalized children and families within Sierra Leonean society.  The project has three components: Young mother support - to reintegrate these girls with their families or empower them to be independent members of their communities through providing training and childcare; Children living alone - providing children under 12 living on the streets with counseling, access to health care and nutritious meals; and Integrated child and family support - helps families to become self-sufficient and care for their children and enable them to face their futures with confidence.

December 10th Appeal

Every year, SI recognizes the United Nation's Human Rights Day (which was first recognized in 1982), December 10th as a special day of remembrance and giving by raising funds for a project selected by the International President that will assist women in extreme poverty.

The 2008 project is Restoring Dignity. Soroptimist International is partnering with the Hamlin Fistula Relief and Aid Fund, a registered charity raises funds for the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital which is the only facility in the world exclusively dedicated to treating (obstetric) fistula.  The project will raise funds to help those women with fistulas who cannot be completely cured and need ongoing medical care and to encourage independence and improve the morale and self-esteem of the permanent residents of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital through the self-help rural village "Desta Mender".

Women’s Opportunity Award

Soroptimist International of Laramie sponsors a program titled the Women’s Opportunity Award.  Through the program, our club assists women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.  This year, $1500 will be disbursed through a cash award.  Recipients, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic violence, and drug and alcohol abuse, may use the award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain a higher education such as books, childcare and transportation.

Eligible applicants must be women who provide the primary financial support for their families and who are enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program.  Applicants must demonstrate a financial need and cannot have already earned an undergraduate degree.

Go to Download Forms to obtain an application and reference form.  If you have any questions contact Margie McDonald at (307)755-1518 or (307)760-2388, or Carmen Roth at (307)399-7281.  The application deadline is December 15, 2009.