Three Single Moms Earn Capitola Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards
Our Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea club has selected three single moms as their 2022 Live Your Dream award recipients. At their request and for their protection, the women have asked that only their first names be used.
Winners are Silvia and Mary both of Santa Cruz, and Gigi of Hollister. The women will be honored at a ceremony on March 22. In winning the award, each receives a check for $2,000 that can be used for any purpose that enables them to continue their education such as rent, medical bills, childcare and car repairs.
Women who are enrolled in or have been accepted into a bachelor’s or technical training program, are the heads of their households and have a demonstrated need are eligible to apply for a Live Your Dream award.
Mother of a 5 and a 7-year-old, Silvia works full-time while going to school to pursue a degree in psychology. A former foster child herself, she wants to work with troubled teens, minorities and foster youth when she completes her studies
“Being a young mother of two and a former foster youth has driven me to want to help children all over that are in need of love, support and help,” she wrote in her application essay. “Obtaining my B.A in psychology will help me meet the California requirements needed in order to become a youth counselor.”
Similarly, Mary is a single mother of three—one who is now an adult, another who is 10 and the youngest a two-year-old. She also is studying psychology and for a human services certificate. Her goal is to work with those who have suffered from domestic violence and drug and alcohol issues.
“Not only do I hope to be able to find placement in the workforce to help others in need like myself, I also hope to teach my children that through dedication and hard work they can achieve dreams and goals of their own later in life,” she wrote. “Ultimately, I plan to take my education goals and put them to work in the psychology field and serve the community in any way that I can by obtaining these degrees.”
Gigi, the mother of a 6-year-old, has set her sights on a career as an Xray or Echo technician when she completes her studies. Meanwhile, she’s working 50 hours a week and going full-time to her classes in health and science.
“I am so excited to continue learning and growing in radiology,” she wrote. “I never give up on anything I do and that is the biggest lesson I am trying to teach my son.”