SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL of OAKDALE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS

It was the 1992–93 SI of Oakdale president, Jeanne Brunk, who first wanted to do a project about Domestic Violence. It was two years later, during the time of the O.J. Simpson trial, that President Charlene Miceli decided that the club should have an ongoing project that would identify us in the community. The first contact made to the Haven Women’s Shelter in Modesto produced no results, and even though they presented a program about domestic violence and Haven’s programs two years in a row, the shelter’s board did not take us seriously. After receiving a phone call from our County Supervisor, Pat Paul, who was instrumental in starting Haven, we received a list of projects they thought would interest us. Among those projects was a half-way house where a woman and her children would be safe and could continue counseling, and begin the road to independence.

By this time, the gavel had been passed and Fran Krieger was president. A committee was formed to find a property to rent, perhaps a duplex. A four-plex was found for sale and a 0 percent loan secured through the Oakdale City Redevelopment Agency. After the sale was completed, a lot of work had to be done to the property. Bathrooms had to be completely redone, rugs and linoleum replaced, some new appliances purchased, along with complete repainting and refurnishing. The other service clubs were very cooperative, both with donations and physical labor. A flooring company donated and installed the carpet and linoleum. Families whose elderly parents had died donated whole housefuls of furnishings. We held rummage sales. Grants were applied for and received, including a $10,000 Making a Difference for Women Grant from Federation.

We continued to have all units occupied. Some women have completed upgrading skills or are enrolled in continuing education, a Haven requirement. They must adhere to a contract with Haven, pay rent on their unit and maintain it. Some are successful in finding decent employment and have moved on to an apartment of their own. Some have failed and had to leave. They all continue counseling, along with their children, through a cooperative program by Haven and Oak Valley Hospital Family Services.

Some other projects SI Oakdale is proud to support include; a donation of $1,000.00 to the Film Production Class at Oakdale High; $1,000.00 to Oakdale Youth Sports Association; $1,100.00 to AAUW for two Tech Trek Scholarships (science camp for 7th-grade girls), and $150.00 to sponsor an additional “S” Club team at the Relay for Life.

Revised October 7, 2007