Our 2009 recipients of the Women's Opportunity Award are Rachel Burnett and Rachel DeRose. They are both current students of Rogue Community College and we were pleased to award both of these young women, $1,000 each, to help them afford the opportunity to continue their education and thus improve the possibilities of each to better the future of there families. We commend them both Rachel and Rachel on the hard work they have and will put into furthering their education.Our hopes that they achieve the goal ahead go with them.
A program to honor local women who help improve the lives of Women and Children in our local community.
Betty Frederick has selflessly dedicated her life for over 15 years to women in the Rogue Valley seeking help to stay sober and get their lives productive.
February 9, 1988 was a day that changed her life forever. On Vilas Rd. in Central Point, a drunk driver crashed head on into Betty’s car. Heather, her fifteen month old granddaughter, was killed and Betty was put in a wheel chair not knowing if she would ever walk normally again.
Betty wanted to have an impact to prevent others from suffering the same fate. Putting people away after they harmed other people was not her idea of solving the drunk driving problem. She thought that if she could save just one family from experiencing the same tragedy, her life would have real meaning. In November 1993, after much soul searching, research, and a miraculous recovery, Betty opened Heathers Haven on 4th Street in Medford. This was the first clean and sober housing for women in the state of Oregon. Under her direction and personal hard work and sacrifice, Heathers Haven continues to serve the women of our community.
Betty, Diana and Max
Now, over 20 years after the day that changed her and her families lives forever, hundreds of women are clean, sober and productive citizens of our community due to the existence of Heathers Haven. Betty works tirelessly to provide a safe environment and to inspire women to remain clean and sober. She takes no pay for these services, Betty and her husband have used their own funds to keep this home open
For Betty's family to see women start over and learn to live wholesome lives free from addiction has been their reward.
$300 was donated to her charity of choice. (Heathers Haven)
The Wine Walk for Women's Health is a joint project of Soroptimist of the Rogue Valley. Held in September, it began at the Wooldridge Creek Winery. Participants walked to Bridgeview Vineyard, where they enjoyed lunch in a lovely shady garden, then continued to the Troon Vineyard. Wine tasting was offered at all three of these Applegate vintners and participants could pick up their wine at the last one before boarding buses back to parking in Jacksonville.
The proceeds of $12,200 from our 2008 walk were distributed as follows:
$6,000 to the Community Health Center for its "Every Woman can have a Medical Home" program;
$3,700 to La Clinica to purchase diagnostic equipment for its women's clinic;
$2,500 to Oregon Advanced Imaging for a financial assistance program for MRIs for low-income women.
The KidSpree program, initially known as ChildSpree and sponsored by Mervyn's, started in 1992 with about 30 kids from the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program, said Kathy Garrett-Canape, co-chairwoman of the KidSpree committee.
Four Rogue Valley Soroptimist clubs now coordinate the event, which operates under the umbrella of the Jackson County Community Services Consortium. Businesses, individuals, churches and clubs donated about $30,000 this year to make sure needy kids would have new school clothes, a backpack full of school supplies and breakfast on their big shopping day.
Sixteen schools that serve low-income neighborhoods recommended students entering first through sixth grades. The state Department of Human Services also nominates some children to participate.
Our signature project to help women on probation in our community, is designed to equip these women with additional tools and frienship outside the sytem to help make a stronger transition. Working with the Jackson County and On-Track, Kathy's dream of helping women in transition feel connected and learn to trust other women lead us to our current plan of action. Currently we help women who are interested in finding the career that best fits their abilities and personality. Several women have been encouraged by figuring out what career they can excell in and enjoy. Several of our women have become aware of the Women's Opportunity Award, have applied and been recipients of the awards. How rewarding it is to see these women in their desire to succeed and be able to help them along the way.
E-mail us if you are interested in making a contribution to this project in Kathy's memory.
Improving the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world.
