Our Projects
Teddy Bear Breakfast
Soroptimist International of Metropolitan Las Vegas®, a volunteer service organization for executive and professional women, hosts 'A Teddy Bear Breakfast' event to make the lives of children who must spend their Holidays in a shelter a little bit more “bearable”.
Each year we invite children (and parents when available) from SafeNest - Clark County’s oldest domestic violence shelter, Safe House – Henderson & Green Valley’s domestic violence shelter, Saint Jude’s Ranch – Clark County’s home for children located in Boulder City and Child Haven – Clark County’s home for abused and/or neglected children.
Unfortunately, many of these children do not have the fun, carefree memories of childhood such as exchanging presents, playing in the snow till out of breath, laughing so hard that your stomach hurt. For whatever reason, their families have been disrupted and the situation they are in is certainly not their fault. One moment in time, one childhood memory can change one’s perspective on life. To find out how you can suppor this event so that we can make sure the moment we give these children will be one that is celebrated and remembered for years to come email SI Metropolitan Las Vegas.
Green-Light Read
The Green-Light Read project is in partnership with Hollingsworth Elementary. Every semester teachers submit their "best improved" readers for recognition. Then at the next assembly SIMLV proudly presents the students with a certificate, a gift certificate to Borders, and a book with a "in honor of" plate inside it to the elementary library. This program encourages young readers, builds esteem and builds the elementary library.
Scholarships and Awards
The Violet Richardson Award recognizes and honors young women between the ages of 14 and
17 who make the community and world a better place through volunteer efforts such as:
fighting drugs, crime and violence; cleaning up the environment; and working to end
discrimination and poverty. Volunteer actions that benefit women or girls are of
particular interest. This award is administered by local, participating Soroptimist clubs
and is not available in all communities. Soroptimist headquarters does not distribute or
accept applications. Contact the local Soroptimist club for more information.
The "Making a Difference for Women" recognition program was established in 1986 to
acknowledge those who work to improve the status of women in society. The Making a
Difference for Women umbrella currently includes three official programs:
Adopt a Family
Every year SIMLV adopts a family that has just exited Safe Nest, a domestic violence shelter. These families usually consists of just the mother or father and their children. Because the families leave behind a domestic violence situation, they often have very little in the way of belongings. Most are just starting a new job and use all their resources to provide food and minimal clothing for themselves and their children. SIMLV makes their holiday season a magical one by buying gifts for the kids (most of their wish list is picked up along with some extra goodies) and parent, clothing that is needed and gift certificates to a grocery store so that they can make a holiday meal. The shocked expressions, tears, and thanks are what make this one of our favorite seasons.