Supporting Communities - Soroptimist International of the Twin Cities

HomeSupporting Communities

Soroptimist of the Twin Cities launched a new Big Goal Accelerator Project (BGAP) in the Fall of 2023!

Soroptimist clubs and regions around the Americas are using BGAP Projects to decrease barriers and increase access to education for women and girls. It is part of working towards our 2021-2031 Big Goal - to invest in the dreams of half a million women and girls through access to education.

Our BGAP project is a collaboration with Sarah's an Oasis for Women, a home dedicated to the safety and dignity of a diverse community of women who have survived violence, abuse, torture, war, discrimination, and trauma. Sarah's connects its residents to social services, education opportunities, job preparedness training, and necessary medical care, so they can begin new and productive lives. Soroptimist of the Twin Cities is helping accelerate the educational journey of these women by providing free Chrome Book laptops, which they need to complete classes and coursework as they pursue higher education. Women who are interested fill out a simple, 2 page application to show that they are currently working towards advancing their education through programs including healthcare, financial and other technical degrees.

Since launching this initiative in February 2024, we have already awarded two chrome books, which will support these women as they work towards their educational goals, build confidence and advance their career.

Partnering with Sarah's Oasis for Women

Every year Soroptimist International of the Twin Cities (SITC) supports Sarah's Oasis, a home for women seeking safety, dignity, and healing. Sarah's is a long-term residence (1-3 years) for women who have experienced human trafficking, violence, abuse, torture, war, discrimination, and trauma.

In addition to a safe place to live, the women get a chance to empower themselves and start new lives in the country by being connected to social services, education opportunities, and job training. #SoroptimistUpliftHer

We provide welcome bags for new residents, including things like pots, pans, other cooking equipment, personal hygiene products, and unique tools like YakTrak (shoe clip-ons for walking on icy streets) that these women need to start their new lives in Minnesota.

We send each resident a birthday card and gift card, since many women have no family or contacts in the community. We want to ensure that no one is forgotten on their birthday.

SITC club members cook and share a meal with 2 dozen residents, sharing conversation and learning from one another.

welcome bag contents

Holiday Winter Gear Drives
Supporting local partners to keep people warm in the winter

In 2024 and 2023, SITC partnered with the Lewis House, which provides emergency housing and assistance to individuals and families escaping domestic or sexual violence. After consulting with the Lewis House about what they needed, we donated delivered 8 boxes of diapers, 6 grocery bags of wipes, requested shampoos and conditioners for specific hair types, hygiene products, and $170 in gas station gift cards to residents. Staff and residents were deeply appreciative that we took the time to ask what donations would be most needed and appreciated.

In 2022, we collected winter items for Sarah's Oasis, which provides housing and support for migrant women seeking asylum in the United States after experiencing trauma, trafficking, or abuse. SITC donated 7 bags of supplies including: jackets, sweaters, heavy socks, hats, scarves, leggings, and bath towels, all items requested by the center.

In 2018, we collected donations for the Rosemount Family Resource Center, which serves marginalized communities and low income families, who are especially vulnerable in the cold of winter. We collected and donated a total of: 2 winter jackets, 44 winter hats, 38 pairs of mittens, 2 winter scarves, 10 t-shirts, a dozen bottles of shampoo and conditioner, 20 tubes of toothpaste, 5 bottles of baby wash and wipes, 15 bars of soap, 35 tooth brushes, and feminine hygiene products.

In 2017, we collected 5 dozen pairs of new mittens and hats to donate to local resource shelters. Similar collections of hats, mittens, scarves, gloves, and winter coats have taken place every year in December for over a decade.

2024 Holiday Drive

Past Service Events and Community Partnerships

Days for Girls Kit Project and Partnership (2018 - 2020)

Twin Cities Soroptimist partner throughout the year with the New Hope, MN chapter of Days for Girls, an international organization that provides feminine hygiene kits for women and girls throughout the world. These kits are made with love by thousands of volunteers around the world or by local women filling the need for their own community. For more details check out Daysforgirls.org

Girl Rising Movie and Panel Discussion (2015)

SITC partnered with the Minnesota Air National Guard to host a movie and panel discussion on November 7 in 2015. We had 60+ attendees (women, men, girls and boys) participate in this inspirational event to continue efforts to raise awareness of issues facing women and girls. The movie highlighted the stories of nine girls and the obstacles they faced in order to get an education. Before the movie, Laura Jeffrey the Air National Guard gave tours of the C130-H planes, which are used to transport our troops and their equipment. Following the movie, we had a panel discussion with CM Sgt Kristin Von Eschen/UniteWomen.org, Tiffini Flynn Forslund and Allison Stapley from the Laura Jeffrey Academy, about the barriers women and girls face.

GirlRising_STD_card_.v02.jpg

Working with the Minnesota Food Network (2016 - 2016)

The Twin Cities Soroptimist Club members came out in force to pack boxes of fruit and vegetables for The Food Group, Minnesota’s food distribution center for the state’s food shelves to feed the hungry. In 2016 alone, they packed 420 boxes that will feed 1,680 people. Amazing! Sharon packed 5 lb. bags of potatoes, Karen packed onions and carrots. Mary packed apples, Ann grapefruit. Barb crushed boxes while the guys taped boxes together.