Our Work
What We Do
SITM supports women and children locally and throughout the world. Through scholarships, education, community partnerships, and volunteer service, Soroptimist International of Truckee Meadows empowers women and girls to achieve their full potential.
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Women’s Scholarships
Dreams Moving Forward Scholarship Program
The Dreams Moving Forward Scholarship Program embodies Soroptimist International of Truckee Meadows’ commitment to expanding educational opportunities for women and girls. Since 1980, SITM has awarded more than $1.3 million in scholarships to over 480 women, helping them pursue their academic, professional, and personal goals.
Since 1980
$1.3+
million awarded
480+
women supported
“This is a profound moment for me. It has turned grief into purpose and makes it possible for me to keep going.”
Bethany
Scholarship Recipient
Dreams Moving Forward Scholarship – Undergraduate
Supporting women returning to education
Designed for women who have interrupted their education and are ready to begin or continue pursuing an undergraduate degree. This scholarship honors Nancy Gomes, Mary Gojack, and Sue Camp, whose dedication reflected SITM’s mission to improve the lives of women and girls.
Dreams Moving Forward Scholarship – Graduate
Helping women advance their careers
Established in memory of Jack Simon, an honorary member and devoted supporter of SITM, this scholarship assists women pursuing graduate studies at the University of Nevada, Reno as they continue their educational and professional journeys.
Dreams Moving Forward Scholarship – Education
Honoring future educators
Created in honor of DeeAnn Roberts and Jo Ann Roberts, this scholarship supports undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in education while celebrating two women whose lives embodied leadership, service, and a lifelong commitment to learning.
Live Your Dream Award
Helping women create brighter futures
The Live Your Dream Awards help women who are the primary financial providers for their families overcome barriers to education and build a more secure future through vocational training or undergraduate study.
Youth Programs
Thanks to Youth
Thanks to Youth is an annual awards luncheon that celebrates exceptional young people in our community. As one of SITM’s signature events, it reflects our mission of supporting women and children by recognizing youth whose character and compassion make a meaningful difference.
The program began in May 1987 to honor the “Unsung Heroes” among our community’s youth. These are not necessarily students recognized for academic achievement or athletic success, but ordinary young people doing extraordinary things for their families, schools, churches, and communities.
In the 1990s, SITM expanded the program to include scholarships for graduating high school seniors pursuing vocational or technical education. Initially funded through donations from local businesses, the scholarship program has grown thanks to the generous support of the Executive Offices of Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. Their continued donation of the luncheon, event space, and service staff allows every dollar raised through sponsorships, ticket sales, and raffle sales to go directly toward funding the following year’s Unsung Hero awards and scholarships.
An Unsung Hero is an elementary or middle school student in Washoe County who demonstrates qualities such as kindness, generosity, humility, courage, perseverance, compassion, and resilience. These students inspire others through their actions and make a positive impact on those around them.
Scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors from our community who plan to attend vocational or technical schools. Recipients are selected based on their community involvement, commitment to their future goals, and the personal challenges they have overcome. Scholarship funds are distributed directly to the educational institution in two installments.
Youth Scholarships
Helping local students continue their education
Each year, graduating high school seniors in Washoe County are recognized through SITM’s annual Thanks to Youth celebration and awarded scholarships to support their educational goals.
Unsung Heroes
Recognizing young people who make a difference
The Unsung Heroes program celebrates students whose kindness, courage, and service have made a positive impact in their schools and communities.
Help the Next Student Succeed
Your gift helps local students pursue education, recognize Unsung Heroes, and create new opportunities through Thanks to Youth.
Congratulations to This Year’s Recipients
More than 200 parents, teachers, friends, community members, and Soroptimists gathered at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa on May 14, 2026 for SITM’s annual Thanks to Youth Celebration. The event recognizes outstanding young people who are making a difference in their schools, families, and communities.
Thanks to Youth 2026 Recipients
Unsung Heroes
Unsung heroes are not necessarily student scholars or athletes, but are students doing extraordinary things in their schools, churches and for families.
Nathan Magadia
O’Brien Middle School
Mila Youngquist
Mount Rose K-8
Jaden Calderon
Traner Middle School
Itzel Chagolla Lira
Sparks Middle School
Isabella Mello
Desert Heights Elementary
Hasley Butler
Mount Rose K-8
Hayes Kramer
Doral Academy
Anthony Figueroa Ruiz
Traner Middle School
Alia Jed
Incline Middle School
Luis Lopez
Sparks Middle School
Thanks to Youth 2026 Recipients
Youth Scholarship Recipients
Scholarship recipients are awarded to graduating high school seniors from our community who will be attending vocational or technical schools. Students were evaluated on community involvement, dedication to future goals and personal challenges they’ve overcome.
Benjamin Monson
Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology
Tyson Timmons
Reed High School
What We Do
STEAM Education
SITM partners with the Washoe County School District to bring STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering Arts and Math) programs to underserved elementary school girls in the Truckee Meadows. We conduct sessions throughout the school year to girls at Hunter Lake Elementary School. The project works to build self-esteem, promote STEM, and reinforce the school’s growth mindset language to empower students. The girls develop skills in observation and data analysis through science journaling among other things. Their exposure to women in STEM sparks interest and expands their horizons to the possibilities available to them. Exposing the girls to the sciences, art, and engineering processes in STEAM gives them the confidence to study and eventually pursue a STEM career regardless of ethnicity or socioeconomics.
What We Do
Community Outreach
The Community Outreach Committee acts as a bridge between Soroptimist International of Truckee Meadows and our local community. Our primary goal is to build relationships, increase visibility, and ensure that our organization is helping to meet needs in the Reno/Sparks communities. We establish relationships with other local nonprofits to assist with their projects. Currently we work closely with Project 150 Reno who provides basic needs to homeless, displaced and disadvantaged high school students allowing them to focus on education and graduate from high school. We volunteer at their boutique sorting and organizing clothing and supplies prior to their distribution to the students. Our members crochet and donate150-200 afghan blankets per year to variety of local nonprofits. This committee also coordinates requests for support from other organizations, such as product drives, or members’ volunteer time.
What We Do
Global Projects
SITM, through the headquarters of Soroptimist International, advocates for empowering women and girls worldwide through the United Nations and its Sustainable Development Goals, fostering human rights, gender equality, education opportunities, and economic sustainability, among others.
Annual Impact Snapshot
Every year, Soroptimist International of Truckee Meadows invests thousands of volunteer hours and dollars to empower women and girls throughout our community and beyond. Here’s a snapshot of what we accomplished this year.
$110,711
Invested in the community & Soroptimist projects
6,326
Volunteer hours
$48,500
Women’s scholarships awarded
$13,500
Youth scholarships & recognitions
17
Women’s scholarships awarded
10
Unsung Hero recognitions
32
Girls supported in Nepal
18
STEAM sessions delivered
“Thank you for believing in me and your incredible support. Education represents freedom and has allowed me to reclaim my life.”
Alexis
Scholarship Recipient
“This is a profound moment for me. It has turned grief into purpose and makes it possible for me to keep going.”
Bethany
Scholarship Recipient
“Your generosity has created opportunities for me far beyond the classroom.”
Justine
Scholarship Recipient
“Thank you for paving the way for moms like me and making our dreams happen.”
Jomailyn
Scholarship Recipient
“This scholarship has had a dramatic impact on me. And I don’t have to take out as many loans and worry about paying them back in the future.”
Ashley
Scholarship Recipient
“This scholarship gives me the ability to concentrate on my studies and research instead of worrying about finances.”
Giulia
Scholarship Recipient
“Thank you for investing in me and my future. I plan to return the investment and practice in northern Nevada.”
Sierra
Scholarship Recipient
“I’m so grateful to be one of the women impacted by this award. It gives me encouragement and hope.”
Stephany
Scholarship Recipient
“This is an opportunity to give me courage to dare.”
Lilith
Scholarship Recipient
“Believing in me and supporting me in this scholarship means everything to me.”
Bella
Scholarship Recipient
“It is going very well. I passed all my classes with A’s and really enjoyed my first semester of welding, really loving the trade and the whole learning experience!”
Javier
Thanks to Youth Recipient
“TMCC has been amazing thanks to the awesome opportunity you guys have given me! Thank you so much god bless!”
Berenice
Thanks to Youth Recipient