Soroptimist International of Kawartha Lakes Offers Cash Grant to Women Seeking Financial Assistance for Educational or Training Expenses
Kawartha Lakes — Women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families and need financial assistance to continue their education or receive training can apply for the Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women (LYDA). Applications are made online at the LYDA portal at https://apply.soroptimist.org/. The application portal is open until November 15, 2025.
Soroptimist International of Kawartha Lakes will provide up to 3 awards, depending on available funds. The first-place recipient will receive $2,000 and will advance to the Soroptimist Eastern Canada Region level, where a recipient from clubs in the region could receive up to an additional $5,000. The program culminates at the Soroptimist International of the Americas Federation level with three finalist awards of $10,000 USD. The club awards will be presented in March 2026.
2025 LYDA recipients Hannah Mason and Shannon Tindall with Soroptimist LYDA Chair Carolyn Laporte
Recipients can use the LYDA funds to offset costs associated with achieving their educational goals. This includes tuition, books, childcare, transportation or any other expense that supports their participation in education and training.
An eligible applicant is a woman who:
Provides the primary financial support for herself and her dependents. Dependents can include children, spouse, partner, siblings and/or parents.
Has financial need.
Is enrolled in or has been accepted to a vocational/skills training program, high school equivalency or an undergraduate degree program.
Resides in Ontario.
Has not previously been the recipient of a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity or Live Your Dream Education and Training Award.
Does not have a graduate degree.
Is not a Soroptimist member, an employee of Soroptimist International of the Americas or immediate family of either.
Additional information is available at www.sikawarthalakes.org or by contacting Carolyn LaPorte, LYDA Chair at soroptimist.kawarthalakes@gmail.com.
