Lake County >> Soroptimist International of Clear Lake (SICL) installed officers for the 2016-2017 term at its recent party at the home of Jim and Olga Martin Steele.
Fawn Williams was the installing officer for new officers including president Olga Martin Steele, vice president Brenda Crandall and secretary Ami Landrum, all serving a second term in their respective positions.
Other officers include Arlene Grimes, assistant treasurer; Wanda Harris, public relations director; and Sally Munger the immediate past president serving her second term as director.
One of the projects that SICL is currently supporting is The Nest, a long-term residential program for homeless pregnant and parenting youth ages 18-21. The services offered are designed to help people who are homeless make a successful transition to self-sufficient living and successful parenting. Redwood Community Services has primary oversight of The Nest.
Young parents face overwhelming challenges on the road to independence, according to Harris. “This is especially true in Lake County where a lack of affordable housing and jobs is reaching crisis proportions. Young parents must locate housing, find work, and sustain themselves as adults, all while trying to raise health and happy children.”
The youth in The Nest program receive life skills training, parenting education, community mentors and are encouraged to participate in service learning programs.
Staff provide case management, transportation and support to the parents and their children seven days a week.
Soroptimists have helped to re-establish a community garden and taught cooking skills, contributing cookware when needed.
The donation of a sewing machine was sought from the community and provided to The Nest, along with a sewing lesson. When residents give birth, Volunteers have made sure that the mothers and children had the necessary items, throwing them baby shower, there is one planned for a new mother later this month.
Soroptimist is an international organization for women who volunteer to work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities in the world.
More 80,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community based and international projects to benefit women and girls.
The SICL meets for lunch on the second and fourth Thursdays each month in Clearlake.
To learn more about SICL contact Harris at (707) 225-5800 or harriswc1@att.net.
