#GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. While GivingTuesday happens every Tuesday, the annual celebration of generosity will happen on December 3, 2024. Soroptimist International of Huntington Beach‘s mission is to change the lives of women and girls who face obstacles to success, through the power of education.
In 2005, I found myself seeking an organization that spoke to me and my passion of helping women, girls and their families achieve economic independence. I met a woman in a short-lived Ladies Workout Express and she told me about Soroptimist. I joined the Huntington Beach club and although she was a member of the Long Beach club, I made a true friend for life. I’ve been blessed to meet and mentor so many amazing women whose journey’s towards self-sufficiency has been life-changing…. They are strong, intelligent, resilient and goal-oriented, and they know the impact that an education can have not only on their lives but also their families and communities.
It all begins with our belief in their journeys to achieve self-sufficiency.
“Soroptimist Huntington Beach has changed my life. I work full-time and attend school full-time. Financial assistance is great, however the beneficial takeaway I received was and still is the moral support. This support built up my confidence in every aspect of my life. I have been able to excel as a student, mother of 3 and an employee. I know that Soroptimist has my back, and they won’t ever let me fall.” –Allison Cuff, Live Your Dream honoree, 2016-17
Allison will be graduating with her bachelor’s degree in December and recently was promoted to Community Liaison at Jamboree Housing Corporation where she has worked full time for the past 5 years while completing her associate’s degree and continuing to work on obtaining her bachelor’s degree.
And…I have found a group of like-minded women whose passions are in making this local HB organization grow and thrive, so that we can continue our mission – which often means fundraising so we can uplift the next generation of single parent students.
Because of the generosity of our sponsors and donors last year, SIHB:Gave educational Live Your Dream cash grants of $1,500 (each) to 15 women;
Delivered 2 Dream It, Be It Mentoring Programs to girls, ages 11-18, who face obstacles to success;
Hosted 24 women to a Day of Empowerment in partnership with the Assistance League of Huntington Beach & Jersey Mike’s, where they received clothes, hair & makeup services, a thought-provoking workshop, lunch, a “swag” bag and offsite, licensed childcare services;
“Thank you for going out of your way to make us feel empowered and loved. It was such a great day and truly filled my cup. I was trepidatious about going. I struggle with my own feelings that I mentioned that day. I did consider not going. I’ve been in a bit of a depression lately and didn’t want to be “bothered” with being around anyone. I am glad that I didn’t. “
– Ashleigh, 2023 Day of Empowerment Guest
Gave scholarships to 3 women attending local community colleges,1 scholarhship to another woman in a like-minded nonprofit, and 1 scholarship to a Huntington Beach High School girl;
Adopted 4 moms for our Soroptimist year, assisting them with monthly essential non-food items, unexpected expenses, college admission fees and more. (And hosted an annual holiday party and graduation party for the moms and their kids – a highlight of the year!
From 2013 to 2023, we granted a total of 92 awards to women who are the financial heads of their households enrolled or accepted into an undergraduate program, a vocational or trade school or a certification program for a total of $136,000
Our challenge continues: Women and girls need our help now more than ever. Making a difference for the women and girls and their entire families by giving them a “hand up” on their journeys to living their dreams despite the obstacles they have faced in the past is my passion. Ask anyone who knows me!
100% of the proceeds we receive from GivingTuesday goes directly to our programs! To donate today, click on the donate button or the link below, send a check to Soroptimist Huntington Beach, PO Box 1306, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 or Zelle us at sihuntingtonbeach@soroptimist.net.
Thank you for your generosity!
Terry Rose, President