VISTA, California, May 16, 2020 – Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland handed out $18,000 in grants to six local women who are single moms supporting families while attending local colleges. “The Covid 19 pandemic forced us to cancel our April 3rd Awards ceremony, so in late March we decided to mail the awards and checks directly to the women and celebrate them at a later date. All the women were all extremely grateful to receive their checks at this uniquely challenging time,” said Live Your Dream Award chair Eden Weinberger.
2020 Awardees are: Rochelle Orozco-Vargas, Xochitl Dybbro, Jaimee Johnson, Stephanie Cagle, and two other women who asked that their names be kept private for security reasons.
The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards help women cover costs of education and training programs they need to improve their employment prospects. Orozco-Vargas is pursuing an Associates degree in Sociology at MiraCosta College. She hopes to transfer to Cal State San Marcos to earn a B .A. Her dream is to become a teacher. “To accept this award has forever changed my life… to reach my educational goal while helping support my family…meeting all my goals and dreams is starting to become reality! Thank you!,” wrote Rochelle upon receiving her award. Xiochitl Dybbro is pursuing an Associates degree from Palomar College as a first step towards entering a highly regarded Surgical Technician Program in Seattle. “Your club has made such an impact in my life and my daughter’s life during these hard times,” she wrote in her thank-you note after receiving her award. Stephanie Cagle is pursuing an AA in Psychology at Palomar College and hopes to eventually matriculate to a 4-year college and get a B.A., perhaps in business. Jaimee Johnson is taking Business Communications at San Diego Continuing Educations ECC Campus, connected with San Diego City College. She hopes to earn a B.A. and possibly an M.A. someday and expand her public advocacy and speaking. The other two awardees are attending Palomar College.
Through Soroptimist International each year, more than $1.6 million in education grants are awarded to more than 1,200 women, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles. Live Your Dream Awards recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their education or training including books, childcare, tuition and transportation.
In addition to providing the primary financial support for their families, eligible applicants must be enrolled in, or have been accepted to, a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program and must demonstrate financial need. Selected awardees from local clubs are then eligible to receive further grants from their Soroptimist Region and from Soroptimist International of the Americas.
“We are now raising money for next year’s Live Your Dream awards, but the pandemic makes this more difficult,” said Fundraising Chair Runa Gunnars. “The more money we raise, the more women we can help.” To donate, volunteer, or for more information about Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland, visit soroptimistvista.org or email the club at soroptimistinternationalvista@gmail.com.
