Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.
Live Your Dream Award
Each year, Soroptimist International of Novato recognizes and presents monetary awards to one or two women who have primary financial responsibility for their family and seek to improve their economic status by gaining additional skills, training or education. Live Your Dream winners receive award amounts from $1,500 to $5,000.
Eligibility requirements:
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Is a woman with primary financial responsibility for supporting her family (including children, spouse, siblings and/or parents)
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Attends or has been accepted to a vocational/skills training program, or an undergraduate college program
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Has demonstrated financial need
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Is motivated to achieve her educational and career goals
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Lives, goes to school or attends a skills training program in Novato
We believe education is the pathway to economically empowering women and girls. This unique program is helping women find their voice and purpose while offering the resources they need to succeed.
LIVE YOUR DREAM Education and Training Awards for Women assist 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. Soroptimists know that education is the key to unlocking economic empowerment of the world’s women and girls. When women and girls are educated, they have opportunity, choice, and power to make healthy decisions for themselves and their families. With the Live Your Dream Award we recognize and empower remarkable women who against staggering odds are taking control of their circumstances and working to get the education and training they need to improve their lives and the lives of their children.
Please note that previous recipients and Soroptimist members and their immediate family are not eligible.
We invite qualified women to apply for the LYD award by completing the Application and Reference Forms when available. Email the completed forms to sinovato@soroptimist.net by November 15 of each year.
If you need more information, obtain an application form, or need help with the application, you can contact Jane Gannon at sinovato@soroptimist.net.
NOTE; Live Your Dream cash grants qualify as gifts and therefore are not taxable income to the recipients. Soroptimist clubs in the U.S. do not issue 1099s to recipients or collect W-9 forms for an award amount.
PAST RECIPIENTS
2020-21 Award
Winner #1 received $5,000 from our local Soroptimist club! Keeping her identity anonymous, we are pleased to report that our recipient is a College of Marin student and is pursuing her bachelor's degree in social work. She is a single mom with a young boy. Her story is quite compelling and her passion for helping others is inspiring. Her application is so heart rendering that it will be forwarded to the Soroptimist regional level for additional regional funding.
Winner #2 received $1,000 from our local club. Also being anonymous, we are delighted to report that she is also a College of Marin student and entrepreneur. "My dream goal is to own my own business. Failing is not an option for me. My daughter's [two year old] future is counting on me to succeed."
2019-20 Award
This year, our club awarded four women with Live Your Dream Awards for a total of $7,000, which includes a generous gift of $1,000 from Marian Huntington, CEO of Novato Spirit. Each applicant shares a compelling story of a woman's courage, fortitude, persistence, and love.
Winner #1 immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico where she received her high school diploma. She is now enrolled at College of Marin to be a Medical Technician. She is 40 years old and is raising four children ages 15, 12, 11, and 10. She currently lives at Gilead House in one room with her four children. She said, "I have dreamed all my life to be able to go to school and study. I want to be a nurse someday. This is my first time going to school in the USA, and it is important to complete my education goals so I can have a better job to support my kids. I want to set a good example for my kids and show that education is the key for success that opens many doors on the life path. Thank you for this great opportunity."
Winner #2 is 31 with two children ages 1 and 7. Her goal is to be an Ultrasound Technician, and she is working on her AA degree at College of Marin. She intends to obtain a BS degree at Kaiser School for Allied Sciences. She was raised in a family with parents having addiction issues and moved frequently. Her children have experienced domestic violence, homelessness and more. She is determined never to have to experience any of that again.
Winner #3 is 29 and is a single mom raising two children ages 1 and 4. She is studying nursing at College of Marin and has aspirations to become a Registered Nurse. She said, "I aspire to become a successful global citizen by aligning myself in a positive work place with people who share similar core values."
Winner #4 has two children ages 16 and 13. She is enrolled in College of Marin in the early childhood education program. She came to the U.S. at age 18 and was involved in an abusive relationship. She also has several medical issues and physical limitations. She volunteers in the community at Center for Domestic Peace, Lady of Loretto, the Salvation Army, Marin Girls Chorus, and the Novato Police Department.