Soroptimist International of Abbotsford-Mission recently presented its annual awards to outstanding women and agencies in the area.
An awards tea was held April 16 at Cedarbrooke Chateau in Mission.
The Ruby Award – for women helping women – went to Pamela Willis, executive director of the Women’s Resource Society of the Fraser Valley.
The Violet Richardson Award, given to a young woman aged 14 to 17, was presented to Aaina Grover, who volunteers with the Living Room drop-in centre on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
Francis Sakina from Sudan was the recipient of the Women’s Opportunity Award, which provides $2,500 to a woman who is the main source of financial support for her family.
The funds enable her to improve education, skills and employment prospects.
Sakina will use the money to complete a bachelor of general studies at the University of the Fraser Valley.
The Soroptimist Club also distributed a total of $16,000 to six local organizations: Impact Youth Addiction, Peardonville House Treatment Centre, the New Beginnings program for young parents, Fraser Valley Child Development Centre, the Women’s Resource Society, and Mission Hospice.