Marlene Capra of Soroptimist International of Marin County was part of the PROTECT Team that provided training to 100 San Rafael High School teachers on Tuesday, August 20, 2019. PROTECT is a human trafficking prevention education program that was developed in 2015 through a coalition of three nonprofits (3Strands Global Foundation, Love Never Fails, and Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives), in partnership with the Office of the Attorney General for the State of California, the California Department of Education, Cisco Systems, and the Institute for Social Research at Sacramento State University. Through this program, teachers and students are learning about red flags, protocols, and ways to prevent exploitation through an online curriculum that provides all classroom materials necessary.

SIMC donated $5000 to the Marin County Office of Education to partially fund PROTECT training for schools in Marin County. Mary Jane Burke, Marin County Superintendent of Schools, has been involved in every step of getting this training provided.

Marlene is a member of SIMC and also a PROTECT Liaison. She and her Soroptimist Sisters are dedicated to educating teachers, students, and the entire community about how to recognize and prevent human trafficking. Marlene says that providing this training to teachers in Marin County brings us "...steps closer to equipping our students in becoming less a victim in this generation and having this information reach the community so everyone is empowered."

Great job, Marlene! 

Our SIMC President Linda Witong Abrahm and VP Nicole Pantaleo were in NYC for a week in July as delegates to the United Nations for Soroptimist International at the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Linda and Nicole had a busy week attending forums, preparing reports, and participating in leadership discussions. We're so proud to have them representing us on these vital global issues.

Additional information about the UN forum can be found at https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/high-level-political-forum-2018/.

At the club's June meeting, Linda Witong was installed as SIMC President for 2018-2019. Linda's theme for the year is "Be the change...empower a new tomorrow." District IV Director Barbara Young presided over the installation, which also included Vice President Nicole Pantaleo, Corresponding Secretary Kimberly Bell, Treasurer Margie Lehnen-Holtz, One Year Directors Daria Sievers and Diana Smith, and Two Year Directors Jill Brown Hardy and Rev. Jan Heglund. Recording Secretary Gina Vucci was unable to be at the meeting.

In addition to installation of officers, the evening included recognition of outstanding achievement by club members. Nicole Pantaleo was presented with the 2018 Shining Star award in recognition of her stellar organization and leadership of the club's 2018 fundraising event. Margie Lehnen-Holtz was honored as the 2018 recipeint of the club Fellow for her consistent efforts above and beyond the call of duty.

The evening also included recognition of programs and organization supported by SIMC, including Community Violence Solutions and the Jeannette Prandi Children's Center. Outgoing President Jill Brown Hardy presented $12,000 to First Responder Support Network's Significant Others and Spouses (SOS) as ongoing support for scholarships to cover the cost of the program for partners of first responders so they have access to healing, education, and support. Outgoing President Jill also presented $5000 to the Marin County Office of Education to partially fund presentation of the PROTECT curriculum to students in Marin County. PROTECT is a human trafficking prevention education program developed in 2015 to educate teachers and students about red flags, protocols, and ways to prevent exploitation.

Find additional information about First Responder Support Network and SOS at http://www.frsn.org./ Additional information about PROTECT can be found at https://protectnow.org./