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Live Your Dream – Volunteer Organization for Women and Girls

Live Your Dream: Education & Training Awards for Women

Apply for a Live Your Dream Award

Ready to begin a new life? You can do it!

Apply Now

Learn more about eligibility and application instructions

The Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education & Training Awards for Women assist 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.

$2.8 Million in Education Grants Per Year

Each year, more than $2.8 million in education grants are disbursed through the Live Your Dream Awards program to over 1,700 women, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic violence, the death of a spouse, and/or substance abuse.

$35 Million since 1972

Since 1972, about $35 million has been awarded to tens of thousands of deserving women through our program, which has been recognized for its effectiveness and long-term impact.

Our Impact:

We’ve found that in every measure, women's lives are better with help from the Live Your Dream Awards program.

  • 81%
    completed their education and improved their standard of living
  • 93%
    report an increase in self-esteem after receiving the award
  • 96%
    who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, trafficking, and/or prostitution—report now living in a safe environment

Download the 2021-2022 LYDA Impact Infographic

  • Securing higher-paying employment
  • Improving the standard of living for themselves and their families
  • Enjoying a renewed sense of confidence and hope
  • Serving as a positive role model for their children and other struggling women
  • Paying it forward by entering the helping professions

Make a Lasting Impact

The Live Your Dream Awards is Soroptimist's flagship program. We invest in women, focusing on the one area that has the most impact on transforming lives and communities—education.

The [Live Your Dream Awards] will give me security that I’m not going further into debt while trying to prosper. I will use the award to further my education, and provide safer transportation and living conditions for my family.

Christina Valadez, Live Your Dream Awards Recipient

Read Christina's Story

This unique award often functions as the only source of support for women where no other granting organizations exist or are accessible. The Live Your Dream Awards gives women the resources to realize their educational goals, and agency to use the funds in whatever way that helps them most: books, tuition, daycare, rent, groceries and transportation.

Each grant season, we receive countless applications of incredibly inspiring survivor stories. Our goal is to increase our capacity to give more awards to reach all of the women who could potentially benefit from the Live Your Dream Awards.

And that’s why we need your help in supporting and delivering this life-changing program.

Our Dream

  • Opportunity Through Education
    • Education and Training Awards
  • Preparing Girls for Success
  • Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
  • Extraordinary Stories

Take Action

Here's What You Can Do To Help

Give the Gift of an Education

Make a donation today to help women and girls achieve their educational goals.

  • Donate Now

Join the Movement

Start here: take the Shero Quiz

  • FIND YOUR SHERO

Get Connected

You can find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@LYDorg). Connect with this awesome community of movers and shakers.

  • FOLLOW US

Read What Women Have to Say

Check out our Your Dream blog, featuring newsworthy articles and survivor stories from our community.

  • READ MORE

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Live Your Dream – Volunteer Organization for Women and Girls
1709 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6103
  • info@liveyourdream.org
  • Phone: 215-893-9000
 
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