Women shared how they overcame obstacles and reached for financial independence through education at the Soroptimist International of Poway’s Live Your Dream Awards celebration.
The Soroptimist club awarded 14 women a total of $23,500 they can spend for education and training at the March 15 event. Eleven of the honorees spoke before accepting a check, certificate and flower during the luncheon at The Heights Golf Club in Rancho Bernardo.
Among them was Clairemont resident Lorena Altamirano Molina, 35, who plans to spend her award money to help her complete an associate’s degree in computer science and information technology at San Diego City College in May. Her goal is to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in cybersecurity forensics.
“I’m very excited about the award,” Molina said before her speech. “This will enable me to attend security certification courses and take the $500 exam.”
Molina, a single mother of two children, is a project manager at a nonprofit supporting Latin American missions. She also works 30 hours a week at City and Miramar colleges as a network assistant in the IT Department and is president of a college Cyber Club.
During her speech, Molina told roughly 80 attendees that she immigrated from Nicaragua five years ago. Although some days are difficult, Molina said she wants to be a role model for her kids.
“This represents more than a check,” she said. “It’s empowerment. There’s a future and hope.”
Molina said she appreciated the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of herself and the other award recipients.
“We are here together,” she said. “Life is tough, but it’s easier when we are connected in the community.”
Diondria Harrison of Rancho San Diego, another awardee, shared her story of pursuing an associate’s degree in sociology and a bachelor’s in criminal justice. The 39-year-old is attending San Diego Mesa College but intends to transfer to Point Loma Nazarene University in 2027 with a goal of working in the juvenile justice system, she said.
Harrison said she plans to spend the Live Your Dream money to help pay for gas, books and supplies along with saving a portion for unexpected emergencies.
“Thank you for this opportunity,” said the mother of a 9-year-old son and caregiver for her father. “The lesson I’ve learned is to trust the struggle and trust in the Lord. He will give you the strength to keep going.”
A reference for Harrison describes her as a role model who brings people together and creates a space of empowerment.
“Diondria is an active member in many programs offered at Mesa College and provides feedback, which has strengthened those programs and helped other students,” the unnamed reference wrote for Harrison’s Live Your Dream application. “She actively participates in efforts for students who are parents, such as the Parent Cafes and Parent Healing Circles.”
The Live Your Dream Awards support Soroptimist International of the America’s mission of helping women and girls gain access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment and self-sufficiency.
Since 1972, Soroptimist International of Poway has given approximately 107 Training Awards, Women’s Opportunity Awards and Live Your Dream Awards totaling more than $132,000, according to the club.
Many award recipients have experienced homelessness, poverty, domestic abuse or substance abuse, according to the global volunteer organization. The annual awards are intended to give women the resources to get a higher level of skills training, improve their lives and live their dreams.
A few of the women at the awards ceremony told of their struggles in overcoming substance abuse and domestic violence and how they are reshaping their lives to help others in similar situations.
“I was raised to not value education or value myself,” said Jaimie Hoffman, an awardee who is pursuing a bachelor’s in organizational leadership. “I was told I was not good enough and I would not amount to anything or be loved. Standing up here today with these women is inspiring. This gives me the confidence boost to succeed.”
