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SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The goal of the Soroptimist International of Rancho Cordova & Gold River club is to empower women and girls to create their own path to success and a history to be proud of.

For the last several years, our club has stuffed holiday stockings which were distributed to female veterans receiving treatment at Mather’s VA Northern California Healthcare System (NCHCS). We learned that our stocking program saved the life of a veteran who received a stocking because she was severely depressed and considering suicide. When she received our stocking full of love, she changed her mind and decided to seek help. She took control of her future so she could continue making her own history.

Our club also stuffs Comfort Kits for domestic violence and trafficking survivors which are distributed by the Sacramento Family Justice Center (https://www.sacramentofjc.org/). We met the mother of a trafficking victim while collecting raffle prizes for a fundraiser. We referred the mother to SFJC, and her daughter was rescued within 24 hours and given one of our Comfort Kits. The rescued daughter told her mom how much receiving the Comfort Kit meant to her. The daughter is now taking control of her future so she can make her own history.

Now our club is embarking on teaching domestic violence and trafficking survivors goal setting, overcoming obstacles, preparing for success, and independent living skills at the Sacramento Family Justice Center and will later this year begin offering the same workshops to people receiving assistance at the new Cordova Community Food Hub to help empower their independence and give them more control over making their own history.

Soroptimist is an international 501(c)3 non-profit organization who seeks to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. The name, Soroptimist, means “best for women,” and that’s what the organization strives to achieve. Soroptimists are people at their best, working to help other women to be their best.

Email [email protected] to receive more information about Soroptimist International of Rancho Cordova & Gold River, how to become a member or just learn how you can volunteer with our club members, or visit http://www.soroptimistranchocordova.org/