by the Altadena/Pasadena Soroptimist Club
During one of the final meetings of its club year, Soroptimist International of Altadena/Pasadena honored two non-profit organizations with service award money at a luncheon held at the Women’s City Club in Pasadena. The Soroptimists gave The Women’s Room At Friends In Deed and The Door of Hope $2,000 each to help with their continuing efforts to assist the homeless and women in need in the Pasadena area.
The Women’s Room is a daytime refuge for women who are homeless or at risk. They serve lunch to these women several times a week, and offer services such as warm showers, free dentistry and counseling. The Rev. Pat O’Reilly, Executive Director of the Ecumenical Council Pasadena Area Congregations – which sponsors the Women’s Room - accepted the monetary award from Soroptimists.
The Door of Hope in Pasadena is a faith-based organization that offers transitional housing for homeless families and equips them with the means to rebuild their lives. Their goal is to help families with children to move from homelessness to self-sufficiency and permanent housing. Tim Peters, Door of Hope Executive Director, and Donna Arnds, Director of Development, were on hand to accept the award. Soroptimists specified that $1,000 of this money be slated for a room sponsored by the club.
During the spring of 2012, Soroptimists of Altadena/Pasadena honored Door of Hope’s case manager, Lonnene Vreede, with the Women’s Opportunity Award. This award is given annually to a woman who has overcome adversity and is supporting her family as head of household. The mission of Soroptimist International is to help women and girls in their local communities and around the world.
