Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Nonprofit Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Soroptimist International chapter outlines education and health programs for Calaveras County
Summary
Kelly, president of Soroptimist International for Calaveras County, described the club's scholarships, school outreach, health screenings and fundraising events, saying the 33-member chapter provides direct aid and programs for women and girls across the county.
Kelly, president of Soroptimist International for Calaveras County, told meeting attendees that the local chapter runs scholarships, school programs and health outreach across the county.
The Calaveras chapter, Kelly said, is 33 members strong and focuses on education for women and girls. "What Live Your Dream is, is it is a scholarship program for women that are, head of household," she said, adding that "this year was $10,000 we handed out to 3 different young ladies." The chapter selects a county winner who may advance to regional and international awards, she said.
The club also runs Dream It Be It, a career- and life-skills program for adolescent girls. Kelly described the most recent session as a multiweek program at local schools, saying the group met "every Wednesday" and that the program included vision-boarding and life skills exercises aimed at junior-high and high-school students. She said the chapter recently held the program at Calaveras High and plans work at Bret Harte.
Kelly described a separate literacy effort after a member proposed collecting books. She said members collected "over a hundred books" and delivered them to school libraries, including San Andreas Elementary, Copacapolla (as pronounced in the meeting) and Mark Twain, with titles focused on inspiring women and girls.
On health outreach, Kelly said Soroptimist partners with Dignity Health Mark Twain for "Take Women to Heart," which provides free lipid-panel tests to county residents who present a driver’s license during February. "You walk in, you hand them your license, and prove you live in this county, and they will do a free lipid panel test," she said, and noted that participation has fallen since COVID when a mobile van no longer operates.
Kelly also described smaller, immediate assistance the club provides under a program called Touching Lives—one-time help vetted by members for needs such as car repairs, rent, groceries or tires for people who cannot pay. She said the club coordinates with local service providers and with the county’s Resource Connection and Women's Crisis Center on donations and referrals.
On fundraising and public events, Kelly listed the chapter’s annual chili cook-off (typically the first Saturday in May; this year on May 3) and a Wine and Whimsy fundraiser (June 7 at Bakeside Wedding and Events on Dogtown Road). She named community partners including Murphy’s Hotel, Angel’s Market and Upcountry Caterers as supporters.
Kelly invited interested residents to meetings the first Wednesday of each month at the Miner’s Lounge in Angels Camp; the group calls to order at 6:00 p.m. She said membership and volunteer help support the chapter’s scholarships, school programs and direct assistance.
Kelly spoke for roughly 19 minutes during the public-comment portion of the meeting. Several audience members made brief interjections but the presentation and Q&A were led by Kelly.
