Community Groups & Individuals
We Support

Soroptimist International is a worldwide organization for women who work to advance human rights and the status of women and girls.

Soroptimist International of Oceanside-Carlsbad carries out this mission by providing scholarships for teens and single female heads of household who are re-entering the workforce (see more information in the right column), as well as volunteer service and fundraising for many local organizations that support women and girls. Some of the organizations we support or have supported in the past are: (click the link to see that organization's website):

• American Juvenile Arthritis Organization<
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Oceanside and Carlsbad
• Brother Benno Foundation
• Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA
• Canine Companions for Independence
• Casa de Amparo
• Hospice of the North Coast
• Ivey Ranch Park
• Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fund
• MHS Family Recovery Center
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
• North County Health Services
• North County Lifeline Inc.
• Ocean Shores Child Development Center
• Project CARE
• Straight From The Heart Inc.
• Trauma Intervention Programs
• Vista Community Clinic
• Vista/Oceanside Meals on Wheels
• Welcome Home Ministries
• Women's Resource Center

Members wrap presents at the Oceanside Women's Resource Center during the Center's holiday shopping event for its residents. This is just one example of how members do community hands-on service while having fun.

Women's Opportunity Award
Soroptimist International of Oceanside-Carlsbad is very proud to participate in Soroptimist International of the America's major project, the Women's Opportunity Awards (WOA).

This program assists women who are the head of their household and who want to go back to school or receive additional job training and who have financial need.

This year, SIO-C chose such a woman and awarded her a $1,500 grant. Her name and story are submitted for district recognition, and she will have the potential to advance to the regional and federation levels, with additional awards at each level. Annually, more than $1 million is given to deserving women at the club, district, regional and federation levels.

The application period is in the fall, with the deadline usually at the beginning of December. Those interested in applying can send a message to the club at sioceansidecarlsbad@yahoo.com

Violet Richardson Award
SIO-C also participates in another Soroptimist-wide awards program: the Violet Richardson Award, named for the first president of the organization.

The award is given to a young women between the ages of 14 and 17 for volunteer efforts in her school and/or community.

For 2008, Kaylee Weil was chosen for this award. On May 2 at a luncheon in her honor, Kaylee will receive $1,500 — $1,000 for herself, and $500 for the organization where she volunteers. Like the WOA, the Violet Richardson Award also is given at the district, regional and federation levels. Kaylee works with Kids for Peace and started the Student Peace Alliance for high school students.

The application period for the Violet Richardson Award is in the fall, with the deadline usually at the end of November. Those interested in applying can send a message to the club at sioceansidecarlsbad@yahoo.com

High School Art Scholarships
SIO-C awards several scholarships to art students who live in Oceanside or Carlsbad. For more information, please see the Wine For Art page of this Web site.