Local Projects

Warm Place for Women

This is a monthly social evening for women in need.  We provide  hot meals, beverages,

dessert, friendly faces, clothes, shoes, resource referrals, activities and door prizes.

This very successful evening has expanded to  two locations in the TriCities.  On the first Thursday of each month, the meal is held at the Kinsman Hall (2175 Coquitlam Ave. Port Coquitlam.)  On the third Thursday of each month, the event is hosted at the Legion Hall (1025 Ridgeway Ave, Coquitlam.  Doors open at 6pm, and dinner is served promptly at 6:15pm.  Doors close at 8pm.  Children are welcome.  Warm Place For Women is a drug and alcohol free event.

Teen Workshops

On February 18th, 2012, Soroptomist International of TriCities is proud to host our first teen workshop 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.)  We look forward hosting a variety of workshops each year.

Enchantment Project

This project 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.

Selected TriCities students (referred by their school counsellors and youth workers) will get to participate in the ‘One Enchanted Evening’ this March.  Escorted by Soroptimist “ambassadors”, the attendees will visit a variety of stations for :  dress selection, hair dressing,  make-up, chocolate fountain and appetizers.  As well,  Life Touch will be doing complimentary grad pictures.   A seamstress will be on site to coordinate alterations, and the participants will be leaving with their attire, gift bags of goodies and a certificate for hair styling on the night of their respective grads.

Awards Programs

Women’s Opportunity Award: The program helps women who, as the primary wage earners for their families, must improve their employment status by entering or returning to the work force. The applicants have faced severe hardships that have prevented them from pursuing and achieving their educational and professional goals. The winners receive a cash award to assist with furthering their efforts to attain higher education.  (Download application)

Violet Richardson Award: The program recognizes and honours young women between the ages of 14-17 who demonstrate that they make a difference in their community or school through Volunteer Action. Their action may encompass volunteer efforts in fighting drugs, crime and violence, cleaning up the enviroment or working to end discrimination or poverty. The winner receives a cash award to the charity of her choice and a cash award to herself for her future education pursuits.  (Download application)

Ruby Award: The program honours women who are making extraordinary differences in the lives of women in their personal or professional life. The winner receives a cash award to the charity of her choice as well as a cash award to herself  for her outstanding accomplishments. (Download application)

Habitat for Humanity

Periodically, we get together at the Habitat for Humanity building site in Burnaby to put in a hard days work. It not only gives us an opportunity to help out in the community but also to acquire new skills. As well as painting, stapling, and nailing, we have learned to work with power tools and have mastered jobs that have made us very proud!  Habitat for Humanity is always looking for volunteers whether it be on a group or an individual basis. We are sure that you would find it to be a rewarding experience and a great opportuntiy to give back.

Prevention of Domestic Violence Campaign

Each year on November 25th, in conjunction with the UN International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women, our members hand out Purple Cards at various high traffic areas through out the TriCities.  Our purple cards provide women at risk with the following  numbers:

- National Clearinghouse on Family Violence 1-800-267-1291
- Coquitlam Transition House 604-464-2020
- Cythera House 604-467-9966
- Monarch Transition House 604-521-1888
- TriCities Women’s Resource Centre 604-941-7111