Our Work
Soroptimist International of Three Rivers is dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in the Mid-Columbia region through educational awards and scholarships, esteem building programs, skills workshops, attending to emerging community needs and more. When women and girls are educated, they have opportunity, choice and power to make healthy decisions for themselves and their families.
Live Your Dream - Education & Training Awards for Women
A signature Dream Program for Soroptimists worldwide, the Live Your Dream Education and Training Awards for Women are a unique education award for a woman who provides the primary financial support for their families. SI of Three Rivers gives cash awards each year to women in our community pursuing higher education in an effort to make their dreams come true. Recipients of our club-level award are eligible to receive an additional Live Your Dream Award at the regional and international levels through the Soroptimist International organization. Learn more

Educational Scholarships
SI of Three Rivers is committed to empowering women and girls by supporting their educational pursuits. In 2015, we established an annual education fund to award scholarships to students attending local colleges and universities and help pay for their tuition. Women attending schools such as Columbia Basin College, Heritage University or Washington State University Tri Cities and others can apply for an SI3R scholarship each year. To learn how you, or someone you know, can apply for our scholarships, please contact the school's financial aid office. You can also contact SI3R by email at sithreerivers@soroptimist.net to inquire about our scholarship qualifications and other details.​

Dream It, Be It Career Support for Girls
Another signature Dream Program for Soroptimists worldwide, Dream It, Be It Career Support for Girls gives girls the tools they need to achieve their education and career goals, empowering them to break cycles of poverty, violence, and abuse. Free for local girls in grades 9 thru 12, the event helps them explore how they can live their dreams, including education planning and mentoring by professional role models.
Since Soroptimist launched Dream It, Be It in 2015, more than 98,000 girls around the world have participated. Locally, the one-day conference is organized by SI of Three Rivers in partnership with SI of Pasco-Kennewick. The curriculum covers areas such as Discovering Your Dreams, Exploring Careers, Creating Achievable Goals, Rising Above Obstacles, Turning Failure into Success and Putting Dreams into Action. Learn more

EMERGING COMMUNITY NEEDS
Annual Diaper Rally
Diaper need is a growing concern in the U.S. It affects families of all incomes and impacts daily life, forcing parents to miss work, causing stress over lost wages and cutbacks on other essential necessities including food.​
Diaper need is why SI of Three Rivers gives to local outreach programs that support families in the growing Mid-Columbia region. With support from the community at large plus grants and donated funds from area businesses and banks, SI3R distributes diapers to help local Moms and their kids during our annual Diaper Rally.​ Learn more

Tools for Success
​SI of Three Rivers has been working diligently and joyfully on outreach that strengthens and deepens our commitment to the local community. Our Tools for Success project helps remove barriers to education for economically challenged girls.
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Recently, in partnership with school counselors the Kiona-Benton City (Ki-Be) School District, SI3R chose seven high school seniors who met the economic and academic criteria to benefit from Tools for Success and awarded each of the graduates a new computer to support their pursuit of opportunities in higher education or the trades that lead to economic empowerment. Learn more

WSU Tri-Cities Women's Lounge
SI of Three Rivers funded a women’s wellness lounge at Washington State University Tri-Cities that offers privacy, comfort and support for WSU Tri-Cities students, faculty and staff. Dedicated in September of 2022, the lounge is located in the East building and is equipped with supplies that support women in their various roles, such as a rocking chair, footstool, refrigerator, storage shelves, lamps, table and changing station with diapers, baby wipes, women’s hygiene products, soap, antiseptic lotion, tissues and paper towels.
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We think of the women’s wellness lounge as a physical demonstration of our partnership with WSU Tri-Cities. Our mission to improve the lives of women and girls deeply aligns with WSU’s goal to foster student success through providing a safe and welcoming environment and offering holistic support. It’s a great legacy for SI3R and a perfect representation of Soroptimists.​ Learn more and see pictures

Tri-Cities Soroptimist Against Trafficking
Human trafficking is a worldwide crisis that impacts many communities, including our own. In 2011, SI3R partnered with Soroptimist International of Pasco-Kennewick to form Tri-Cities Soroptimist Against Trafficking (TCSAT). TCSAT has worked with local legislators, state officials and other concerned groups to build awareness of human trafficking in the Tri-Cities. This effort led to the formation of Tri-Cities Coalition Against Trafficking (TC-CAT), a coalition of first responders and community groups that is still active today.
Now spearheaded by SIPK, TCSAT also educates the public on red flags to watch for so that law enforcement can be alerted. SI3R continues to be involved, helping to create and distribute safety and awareness information for teens and others in the community, with the intention of starting conversations about what to do when someone suspects a person is being trafficked.

FriendBuilder Events
A friendbuilder is a chance for our club to get more people involved in our good works. SI of Three Rivers hosts several friendbuilders each year, such as our popular Dinner & Auction. Guests feel a connection with our mission of providing opportunities for Mid-Columbia women and girls so they are empowered to shape their future. ​Other select friendbuilders include the SI3R Walk for Women, SI3R Poker Night and the SI3R Birthday Challenge, which runs throughout the year.
Donations to all our fundraising efforts benefit local recipients of our educational awards, scholarships and programs.​
