Distinguished Supporter Insider
November 2019
Soroptimist International North San Diego (SI NSD)
Live Your Dream
Thirteen Soroptimist clubs from all over San Diego County collaborated to perform workshops at the local colleges, including most of the community colleges, San Diego State University, and Cal State San Marcos. From those workshops, 98 applications were received. Our club has chosen 4 candidates to review and our Live Your Dream committee will be interviewing them in the coming months to determine awards and recognitions. We will be presenting the awards at our luncheon on March 20th.
A Blanket Project
SINSD member Cheryl Pappadackis organized a Community Project to support Growing Minds, an early education program located in four communities of North San Diego County. There, 2-5-year-olds from low- to middle-income families are prepped for entry into the formal education system. Using a child-centered, play-based curriculum, children’s skills are strengthened to help them succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
Cheryl learned Growing Minds was in need of new blankets for the kids at nap time and made an appeal to the club. Before long 350 blankets were bought, cut, stitched and delivered. Thanks to Cheryl and the SINSD members who assisted her, the children in five local Growing Mind centers now have new blankets for their naps!
Beyond Transitional Housing
One more woman achieved independence recently when she graduated from our Transitional Housing Program.
Graduation typically marks a profound change in the lives of these Moms. It is often the first time they are fully in control of, and responsible for, themselves and their children…. and, thus, it’s a time for celebration and for planning futures.
As single Moms, our graduates will need to continue their diligence. Fortunately, they are characteristically strong and resilient women who are thrilled with their independence… survivors with a new set of life skills who will fight to remain independent for the safety of their family.
Palomar Forensics Lab Field Trip
Last month SINSD members felt privileged to tour Palomar Health’s Forensics Lab, an organization we have supported for a few years.
The Lab performs forensic medical evaluations and evidentiary examinations for adult and child victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, strangulations, and other types of assault, county-wide. Evidence is captured in a way to ensure it is admissible in court and short-term mental health services provided as appropriate. Addressing the emotional trauma shortly after an attack has proven to diminish the distress of victims long-term.
Palomar Health’s modest site has the feel of being safe, efficient, and private. The personal nature of physical assault is acknowledged in a dignified approach, such as the use of comfortable robes and flip-flops, private showers and an offering of new underwear and bras. Toys and stuffed animals comfort younger children. Our club has been supporting the Palomar Forensics Lab in various ways for several years.
Hats & Heels
Although Hats and Heels 2020 is still months away, SINSD (with SI Poway) is working hard to make it our best event ever. The beautiful Fairmont Grand Del Mar has been secured as the venue once again, and both sponsorship and auction committees are in full swing. Other teams are actively working behind the scenes on defining the program, updating the web, and planning our communications.
Motivated by the strongly positive feedback from last year’s event on Floyd Smith’s performance we have decided to bring him back… this time with the backup of the full 5th Dimension!
Our Save the Date mailer has gone out to formally announce April 5th as the event date. If you did not receive it, please search your email for the subject line Hats and Heels 2020. It may have ended up in a SPAM, JUNK, or TRASH folder. If you still cannot find it, please let me know at neastman@san.rr.com.
Also, if you have friends who may like to receive our event notifications directly, I’ll add them to the mailing list if you provide me with their names and email addresses.
To get involved by donating an item for the auction, contributing a bottle of wine for our Wine Pull (value of $20 or more please), or exploring sponsorship opportunities, please contact me or the club at soroptimistnsd@gmail.com or any SI NSD member you might know!
Nan Eastman – Chairperson, Distinguished Supporters
neastman@san.rr.com; 858-775-4199
General SI North San Diego mailbox: soroptimistnsd@gmail.com