Oakland Soroptimists awards
community grants to
four women
By Carolyn Bolton
For
85 years, Soroptimists has been recognizing women
who make outstanding efforts to better themselves,
their families and their communities. On March
10, Oakland Soroptimsts hosted their annual Community
Grant Breakfast, where they honored four individuals
and seven community organizations.
Individual honorees included Sandra
Rodriquez, who returned to school as an adult and was awarded a $1,000 scholarship
to help her continue with her education; and Jennifer Phung and Susan Deung,
seniors at Oakland High School who have done extensive volunteer work during
their high school years.
Phung volunteers with the Asian Youth Promoting Advocacy
and Leadership (AYPAL). She and AYPALeach received $1,500 grants. Deung has served
as an advocate, prosecutor and judge for the McCullough Youth Court, which works
to turn around the lives of juvenile offenders. She and the McCullough Youth
Court each received $750 grants
Soroptimists presented Carolyn Thomas Russell
with the Woman Making a Difference in the Community Award. She received $1,000
for her favorite organization, A Safe Place. She will also be nominated to the
Women’s Hall of Fame.
In the 22 years Russell has served as director of
ASafe Place, a shelter for battered women, the organization has started offering
re-entry services, such as job training, housing, schooling and therapy for children
and other family members. Russell works with the Oakland Police Department, Social
Services and other government agencies to keep women and children safe and help
them rebuild their lives.
A Safe Place also received a $5,000 grant for its Emergency
Shelter Program. Additionally, it will be the beneficiary of the Soroptimists
annual candlelight tea and fashion show, a fundraiser that showcases fashions,
local entertainers and local entrepreneurs.
Several community organizations were
honored for their work with women and girls. The Korean Community Center of the
East Bay, the East Bay Agency for Children, the Women’s Cancer Resource
Center, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Visitation Center received $5,000
grants.
Two groups, Alzheimer’s Services of the East Bay and the Montclair
Soccer Club, received grants of $2,500.
Soroptimists was founded in Oakland in
1921 and is now an international organization with branches in over 70 countries.
Membership is open to anyone who wants to focus their energies on improving life
for women and girls.
For more information, visit www.soroptimistoakland.org or
call Carolyn Bolton
at (510) 501-5183.
Carolyn Bolton is
president of Soroptimist International of Oakland.
