Programs

Local Programs

Recipients of SI Hamilton-Burlington awards are recognized during our April Awards Ceremony , which is open to the public. We also invite leaders of community organisations whom we support to talk about their programs.

What organisations and programs do the Soroptimists support in the Hamilton-Burlington region?

The ‘Young Women Empowered’ program (YWE)

Regina’s Place of the Good Shepherd in Hamilton is made possible solely through our funding. It caters to the needs of young mothers who face life challenges. In this transitional living arrangement they live in their own apartment, and have access to all the programs. The YWE program of workshops and discussions includes: healthy nutrition for mother and child; healthy relationships; empowerment and self esteem; personal safety; housing; child psychology, creative education; educational paths and opportunities; employment opportunities, career goals.

Link: https://www.goodshepherdcentres.ca/services/reginas-place/

‘Don’t give up’: Young Hamilton moms celebrate high school diplomas, by Cathie Coward, Wednesday, June 17 (Excerpt)

The Regina’s Place Jeanne Scott School is an alternative adult education centre for young mothers 18 and older, who are returning to school to earn their high school diplomas. The school is operated in partnership by the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board and the Good Shepherd Centres Hamilton.
Located next door to Regina’s Place residence, the school offers subsidized transitional housing for young mothers in conjunction with on-site support and programming. Both the school and the residence support young mothers in breaking the cycle of poverty through life skills, goal setting, child development training, and bettering their chances of employment and independence.
https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilton-region/2020/06/18/the-best-reason-to-succeed.html

Out Of the Cold Program: Monday Meals

SI Hamilton-Burlington members participate in serving hot dinners to the guests on a weekly basis from November to March. Financial assistance is provided as required. We also organize a Winter “Sock and mitten drive”.

https://hamiltonoutofthecold.ca/

Out Of the Cold Program: YWCA Carole Anne’s Place

SI Hamilton-Burlington provides financial support to the Carol Anne’s Place program.

“YWCA Carole Anne’s Place is a low-barrier overnight drop-in centre that offers women a safe, warm place to rest when shelters are full, during Hamilton’s coldest winter months. Services like Carole Anne’s Place are critical as emergency shelters and transitional housing programs for women in Hamilton are consistently full and even operating at overcapacity. In addition to providing a safe place to sleep, Carole Anne’s Place also provides access to withdrawal management services, meals, shelter placement assistance, and winter clothing to women who would otherwise be at risk of freezing to death outside on the coldest nights of the year”.
https://www.ywcahamilton.org/womens-housing-services/#1542650509693-18adca5a-81e0

Summer Reading Program, Hamilton Public Library

Financial support of Children’s Summer Reading Programs.

2020 “An e-World of Fun For Everyone

“That little ‘e’ means Summer Reading Club is all online this year but don’t underestimate that little ‘e’. It starts words such as explore, experiment, entertain and enjoy. HPL has this and more in store for you. Read and learn a new pastime in your downtime. Watch how-to demonstrations, track your reading, play games, watch performers and more on hpl.ca.”
http://www.hamiltonpubliclibrary.org/summer-reading-program.html

The McMaster Midwifery Program

It is a five year commitment (2015-2020), whereby SI Hamilton-Burlington makes a financial contribution towards the educational expenses of a midwifery student who faces challenges.

During their third and fourth year, Midwifery students have added expenses such as transportation, equipment, and often placement accommodation. They have study sessions through the Summer, making it impossible to access a Summer job.

https://midwifery.mcmaster.ca/

Testimony from a recipient of the award (Excerpt)

Being a mature student with a large family (7 children!) living month to month, I have had to fund my university education through OSAP. Having this bursary meant that I am able to lessen the amount of student debt that i am required to carry. I recall receiving the bursary at a time when I had all my university fees paid so the bursary was sent to me. Receiving that cheque in the mail at that moment was providence as I had several kids who needed things purchased (such mundane things as shoes and coats) .. There is no one single way in which being a recipient of this bursary has helped, but in a thousand little ways. I am doing this, going back to school as an adult and mother to 7 children, so that I may provide a better life for them, financially and otherwise. But being in school and having to live off of student loans brings with it another set of challenges in that I’m not always able to say yes to my children for things such as sports, or extra curricular, or sometimes even for necessities like new shoes.. Some of my children have part time jobs but some struggle enough with trying to maintain good grades in school and so don’t work part time jobs. lt is nice to be able to say yes sometimes… Thank you to the powers that be, for granting me this bursary. ..I hope to be able to contribute back to something like this in the future when I’m in a better place, financially. That I can pay it forward to someone else.

https://sihamiltonburlington.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Notes-from-Awards-Ceremony-and-40th-Anniversary-Event.docx

City Kidz

SI Hamilton-Burlington provide financial support for young girls to participate in the weekly City Kidz Programs.

City Kidz supports “ children living in low-income communities by providing inspirational experiences and nurturing personal relationships, one child at a time”.
https://citykidz.ca

International Programs

Stephen Lewis Foundation

SI Hamilton-Burlington contributes annually to the Umoyo Girls School in Zambia, Africa.

S. I. International Quadrennial Overseas Projects

The Club supports S.I. International Quadrennial Overseas Projects on a regular basis.

Soroptimist STOP Trafficking Project

The Club supports local and international projects.

Soroptimist Workplace Campaign to End Domestic Violence

SI Hamilton-Burlington supports both local and international campaigns to end domestic violence.

Member of the United Nations

Soroptimist International is a member of the United Nations. Club Program Focus Reports are regularly submitted through Soroptimist International to the United Nations.

Live Your Dream

We also participate in the Live Your Dream Campaign, which encourages all women to live their dreams while helping other to do the same.

http://www.liveyourdream.org