Our club participates locally with several cornerstone programs of Soroptimist of the Americas (SIA), including Live Your Dream and Dream It, Be It. In addition, we sponsor club-level programs and provide support to local organizations.
Live Your Dream Award
Investing in Women. Changing Futures.
We proudly participate in the Live Your Dream Awards, a national program that provides cash grant awards to women who are the primary financial support for their families. These awards help recipients pursue higher education or vocational training, covering essential costs such as tuition, books, childcare, and transportation.
Each year, our club awards several local grants. Local recipients may then advance to receive additional awards at the regional and federation levels, amplifying the impact.
Many of our awardees are survivors of domestic violence, trafficking, or other significant hardships. Nearly all have faced barriers like poverty, homelessness, or substance abuse. Yet through determination—and with support from this program—they are building brighter, more stable futures for themselves and their families.
The impact is real and lasting. These awards don’t just change individual lives; they help transform communities by uplifting women who are working hard to create a better future.
For questions, please contact:
Justine Jephson at Info@SoroptimistPDX.org
Dream It, Be It
Empowering futures, one girl at a time.
Soroptimist International of Portland proudly supports Dream It, Be It, a transformative program designed to help secondary-school girls—especially those facing challenges like poverty, unstable housing, foster care, or teen pregnancy—build the confidence, skills, and resilience they need to thrive.
Through small-group workshops and mentoring led by Soroptimist members, girls explore careers, learn from role models, set achievable goals, and develop tools to overcome personal and systemic barriers.
Interested in learning more or partnering with us to support local youth? For inquiries, questions, or comments, please contact:
Beth Forsythe at Info@SoroptimistPDX.org.
Grow Every Dream (G.E.D.)
Helping Women Reclaim Their Education & Their Future
Our Grow Every Dream program supports women whose education was interrupted by life’s challenges, helping them earn their GED and take the next step toward a brighter future. A GED opens doors to better job opportunities, increased confidence, and further education.
We don’t teach—we coach. Volunteer mentors provide encouragement, accountability, and practical tools to help women stay focused, overcome obstacles, and celebrate their success.
Together, we’re helping women reclaim their education—and rediscover their dreams.
For questions, please contact:
Jaci Margenson at Info@SoroptimistPDX.org