“Live Your Dream Award” Winner Announced

Soroptimist International of Bend recently announced the winner of the annual “Live Your Dream Award” grant underwritten by Central Electric Cooperative. The winner received $2,000 that she can use to further her educational pursuits. The recipients are chosen with much thought given to their circumstances, challenges, intended goals and financial needs.

Jasmine, a single mother of two, moved to Central Oregon after accepting a position as a Community Engagement Coordinator for a non profit organization that deals with childhood trauma. During her time with the organization, she coordinated and managed awareness events around ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma Informed) approaches. She is currently training to become a certified Peer Support Specialist in order to use her lived experiences with domestic violence, racial trauma, and adverse childhood experiences to be of support and empo wer others who are dealing with those issues with patience and compassion. She is also studying to become certified in the field of human services in order to work as an advocate to be of support to those who are facing homelessness due to leaving domestic and other adverse experiences. She is enrolled at Portland Community College.

LYDA applications are available each fall online at www.sibend.org . Women who are pursuing their
education, financially needy, head of household and enrolled in a certificated educational pr ogram are encouraged to apply.