Our Work
and Impact
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, anti-trafficking campaigns 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 initiative for clubs worldwide, the Live Your Dream Education and Training Awards for Women is celebrating 50 years of investing in women’s education in 2022. SI3R gives the award each year to women in our community who provide the primary financial support for their families and are pursuing higher education in an effort to make her dreams come true. Recipients of our club-level award are eligible to receive Live Your Dream Awards at the regional and international levels through the larger Soroptimist International organization. Learn more here.
Local Educational Scholarships
SI3R is committed to empowering women and girls by supporting their educational pursuits. In 2015, we instituted an annual scholarship fund to award to students attending Washington State University Tri-Cities and Columbia Basin College. Women attending these institutions can now apply for an SI3R scholarship each year through their financial aid office that will help pay for their tuition.
To learn how you, or someone you know, can apply for our scholarships, please visit these financial aid websites:*
WSU Tri-Cities:
https://tricities.wsu.edu/finaid/scholarships/
Columbia Basin College:
http://www.columbiabasin.edu/index.aspx?page=106
*Please note: scholarships are posted as they are received. If you are unable to find our SI3R scholarships, please check again at a later date. You may also consider visiting the financial aid office on campus.
You may also contact us at sithreerivers@soroptimist.net to inquire about our scholarship qualifications and other details.
SI3R is a proud supporter of WSU TC & CBC!
Dream It, Be It
Career Support for Girls
Dream It, Be It is a free program that connects young girls in 9th through 12th grades with the resources to live their dreams. This includes education planning and mentoring by professional role models to help them develop their long-term career goals.
Since soroptimist launched the Dream It, Be It curriculum in 2015, more than 84,000 girls around the world have participated. Locally, the one-day conference is organized by Soroptimist International of Three Rivers in partnership with Soroptimist International of Pasco-Kennewick. The curriculum covers areas where girls need knowledge and skills to realize their dreams. They can apply what they learn to any goals they identify throughout their education and careers. The conference covers topics such as Discovering Your Dreams, Exploring Careers, Creating Achievable Goals, Rising Above Obstacles, Turning Failure into Success and Putting Dreams into Action. Learn more here.
Tri-Cities Soroptimist Against Trafficking
Human trafficking is a world-wide crisis that impacts many communities, including our own. Tri Cities Soroptimist Against Trafficking (TCSAT) works at the local level, along with the efforts of foreign governments, international organizations, anti-trafficking entities, law enforcement officials, survivor advocates, communities of faith, businesses, and private citizens all around the world to raise awareness about human trafficking. Together with our neighboring club, Soroptimist International of Pasco-Kennewick ,we work in Washington’s Mid-Columbia region by educating the public, teaching prevention and supporting local survivors. To learn more or schedule a presentation for your group, contact us. TCSAT social media: https://www.facebook.com/3TCSAT, https://www.instagram.com/tcsat_tricitieswa/
Fundraising Events
SI3R hosts two major fundraising events each year. Held in the spring and fall, our events are always popular with the community, whether it’s an in-person dinner-and-auction gala or an online auction that takes place virtually. Guests feel a connection with our mission of improving the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. Financial donations from all our fundraising efforts benefit local recipients of our educational awards, scholarships and programs.
SI3R also adds select fundraising opportunities throughout each year such as these:
WSU Tri-Cities Women's Lounge
Soroptimist International of Three Rivers funds 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.
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.
