Application for SI-NMI Women’s Opportunity Awards still open

Soroptimist International Northern Mariana Islands is accepting applications for its Women’s Opportunity Awards until this Sunday, Dec.15, 2013.

The grant gives $1,000 to the winning applicant and is open to women who want to improve their job skills through education and training.

The local organization’s president, Jill Arenovski, said those interested must accomplish an application form and provide two references and email it to sinorthernmarianaislands@soroptimist.net. So far, the club has received 12 applications but would like to get more.

Arenovski said the group already distributed flyers and some application forms during the recent Cash for College event of the Northern Marianas College.

She said they received a lot of inquiries at the event and phone calls asking about the Women’s Opportunity Awards in the days since then.

“We want to entice more applicants to submit their applications. Hopefully we’ll get a lot of applicants because it’s a great opportunity for women here. We’re really thrilled to have this grant here on Saipan,” said Arenovski.

The Women’s Opportunity Awards is a program that helps women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills, and employment prospects.

The award may be used to offset any costs associated with efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare, and transportation.

Chartered last Oct. 27, Soroptimist International Northern Mariana Islands currently has 18 members. Arenovski serves as president, while the other officers are Shelly Scott, vice president; Roxanne Torres, secretary; and Tania David, treasurer.

The group meets every month and its next meeting is tomorrow, Dec. 12, 12pm at Coco’s Restaurant in Garapan.

The group also recently held its first Thanksgiving pie and dessert sale and Arenovski is happy to report that it was an unqualified success, raising between $500 and $700.

Soroptimist International is a global women’s organization whose members volunteer to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.

For more information about Soroptimist International Northern Mariana Islands and the Women’s Opportunity Awards, contact Arenovski at 287-9395 or sinorthernmarianaislands@soroptimist.net.