The ipad3, valued at $800, went to Joanna Joniec, and the lovely Coach bag & wallet, valued at $600, went to Kyle Kellough.

The Enchantment Project is a Tri-City initiative that was developed in 2010. It is a collaboration between PLEA Community Services and School District 43 that endeavors to provide high school graduates facing significant financial difficulties with formal attire so that they can attend their graduation festivities with pride. Without such assistance these students could not afford to participate in celebrating this important milestone.

Every spring the Enchantment Project hosts “One Enchanted Evening” for select Tri-City grad students in the Grand Hall at Heritage Woods Secondary in Port Moody. The evening begins with the girls being matched to an “ambassador”, a volunteer who guides and supports them through the night’s activities. The graduates start the evening by selecting a gown, shoes, purse and accessories. They are then off to get their hair and make up done by professional stylists and make-up artists. They enjoy music and refreshments throughout the evening and the event culminates with a professional photography session to capture their “enchanted experience”. Before they leave, our grads are given gift bags filled to the brim with make-up, toiletries and gift cards enabling them to get their hair and make up done on their actual graduation day.

While boys are not invited to participate in “One Enchanted Evening”, referrals are accepted for them as well and funds are raised so that every boy is afforded a tux rental for his graduation night.

The Enchantment Project is an invaluable initiative that depends on the generous support of Tri-City organizations and individuals.

school district – the  Enchantment Project, which provides high school graduates in need with formal attire so that they can attend their graduation festivities with pride. Without assistance these students could not afford to participate in celebrating this important milestone.

This year’s One Enchanted Evening is on March 8th, 2012.

We are hoping to have a wonderful variety of dresses, shawls, purses, jewellery, shoes, etc… to have available for these young women to select.  If you have bridesmaid dresses, new year’s gowns, cocktail outfits just sitting at the back of your closet  because you are now so fit and fabulous they are all too big for you, these items can go to a great cause!  All sizes are welcome; the only requirement is that items be in good shape.   Glittery gowns, shiny shoes, baubles and bangles…all items are welcome.

As well, if you know of a hairstylist or makeup artist or other business who would be interested in donating their services, please let us know.

If you can help us out, email us at info@soroptimisttricities.org

James, Tara & Amy at the 2011 Gala

Featuring rock & blues musician Al Foreman and strolling magician Alex Seaman.

Saturday, March 31, 2012
The Inlet Theatre – 100 Newport Drive, Port Moody
Cocktail Reception  6:30
Entertainment 7:30
Tickets only $55
No children please.
To purchase a ticket email us at sitricities@soroptimist.net

Featuring:

• Sumptuous appetizers from Design by Desire Catering
  

  Divine by Desire Catering

• Amazing auction items
• Presentation of the Soroptimist Ruby, Women’s Opportunity  & Violet Richardson Awards
• Raffle for the latest iPad
• Raffle for a Coach bag & wallet
• Fabulous entertainment

Proceeds to support:

• The “Give Her Wings” Girl Empowerment Workshops
• The Enchantment Project
• PoCoMo Youth Society Girls’ Sexual Health Kits
• The Soroptimist Ruby, Violet Richardson, and Women’s Opportunity Awards
• A Warm Place for Women

Councillors Diana Dilworth from Port Moody, Linda Reimer & Selina Robinson from Coquitlam and now mayor of Port Moody, Mike Clay

* Photos courtesy of Coquitlam Snap

Empowering our Teen Girls: A SafeTeen Workshop – Powerful Alternatives to Violence

This enlightening and educational workshop for teen girls and parents or adult figures in their lives will focus on developing useful skills to empower us to cope with verbal, emotional, social & physical challenges we are exposed to every day. (Adults and the teens will be in separate rooms.)

This workshop includes:

• Developing skills for teen girls and parents
• Keeping teens and adults safe
• Addressing issues facing teen girls
• Helping girls cope with verbal, emotional and physical threats
• An in-depth Q&A session

An afternoon drumming circle will be hosted by Rhythm Wellness following lunch.

When: Saturday, February 18 2012 – 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Where: Grade 7 & 8 Girls – Outlet Room, Leigh Square by City Hall on Shaughnessy Street.   Adults – Port Coquitlam Rec. Center Green Room (2150 Wilson Ave)

Lunch: Delicious and hot meals for everyone!

Entertainment: Rhythm Wellness Drumming Circle for all participants

Cost: Adults – $10, Teens – no cost

RSVP: To register, or for more information, contact Linda at Lindakozina@gmail.com or 604-942-9793.

Soroptimist International of the TriCities is a service organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls locally and around the world.  We are pleased to host this workshop featuring the skills of SafeTeen – a Canadian organization focused on building esteem and keeping kids safe.

www.soroptimisttricities.org
www.safeteen.ca

Funding partially provided by the Soroptimist Foundation of Canada

]]> http://www.soroptimisttricities.org/empowering-our-teen-girls-workshop/feed/ 0 http://www.soroptimisttricities.org/si-of-the-tricities-nominated-for-non-profit-of-the-year/ http://www.soroptimisttricities.org/si-of-the-tricities-nominated-for-non-profit-of-the-year/#comments Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:29:21 +0000 alisonf http://www.soroptimisttricities.org/?p=1544 Soroptimist International of the Tri-Cities has been nominated for the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce 2011 Business Excellence Awards in the category of Not for Profit of the Year.

Shortlisted nominees will be notified at the Nominees’ Luncheon, Thursday, October 27th, 2011 at the Westwood Plateau Country Club.

Congratulations to all of the nominees!

Short Version (4:15 min)

Long Version (9:59 min)

Soroptimist Ruby Award: For Women Helping Women

The Soroptimist Ruby Award honors women who, through their professional or personal efforts, are making extraordinary differences in the lives of women or girls. Honorees are women who have worked to improve the lives of other women or girls. Their work has had a significant impact, and also inspires and encourages other women.

Women may nominate themselves or another woman they feel is deserving of this honor.

Please complete the writable nomination form and the short essay, and return them to the address on the form by December 1, 2011.

If you’ve got any questions, contact our awards chair and she’ll be happy to help you.

Do you see challenges instead of obstacles? Hope instead of despair?

If you are a young woman who believes in the power of volunteer action, then you may be eligible to win a Soroptimist Violet Richardson Award. This award recognizes young women who make the community and world a better place through volunteer efforts such as: fighting drugs, crime and violence; cleaning up the environment; and working to end discrimination and poverty. Volunteer actions that benefit women or girls are of particular interest.

Soroptimist is an organization of women whose members volunteer in their communities, often working
on the same problems that you do. Although we realize that volunteering is its own reward, we also
know it feels good to be recognized for your actions. And that’s why we sponsor this award.

Please submit your Awards Application by December 1, 2011 to the address listed on the application.

If you’ve got any questions, contact our awards chair and she’ll be happy to help you.

Do you have financial need?

If  you’ve answered yes to these questions (and if you have not previously been the recipient of a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Award), then complete writeable application form to be considered for a financial bursary.  If you need help completing the application, contact our awards chair and she’ll be happy to help you.

The award can be used for tuition, books, childcare, carfare or any other education-related expense.  Since the program’s inception in 1972, approximately $15 million in Women’s Opportunity Awards has been disbursed to about 25,000 women throughout the countries served by Soroptimist International of the America’s.  Why not be one of these women?

We want to hear from you!

Applications are due by December 15, 2011.

Download Application Form (pdf)
Download Reference form (pdf)

Tuesday marked the 11th annual Spirit of Community Awards, held at the Red Robinson Show Theatre in Coquitlam. The event, held in conjunction with the Taste of the Tri-Cities, featured MC Wim VanderZalm and entertainment by Joyelle Brandt.

Award winners included Helen Daniels, executive director of Arts Connect (Arts and Culture category), Soroptimist International of the Tri-Cities (Community Action), Ron Curties (Community Volunteerism), Vanessa LeBourdais (Environment), Chrissy Duncan (Neighbour to Neighbour), Best Buddies (Youth) and Diane Thorne (Douglas College Lifetime of Achievement in Honour of Myrna Popove).

View the Coquitlam Now article