The LIVING HER DREAM AWARD was established in 2006 by SIFC to honor and support a local women who is actively pursuing a dream. Living Her Dream Award applicants hold a high school diploma or GED, identify a dream, take steps to achieve that dream, demonstrate a passion and plan to live that dream, and work for the betterment of women and/or girls.
Jennifer Jone’s dream is to serve as the executive director for a nonprofit agency offering violence prevention and intervention services to women and girls. As with many of today’s young women, Jennifer’s dream has been side-lined from time to time; She has encountered barriers, yet has never given up hope. Jennifer has purpose, commitment, experience, empathy and passion.
One of her references sums it up quite nicely. “There is something about Jennifer that makes you want to be a better person. Maybe it is her passion for human rights, or maybe it is her rare combination of beauty, intellect and eloquence that brings out a person’s best, but I know that just sharing an office with her, I found myself striving to push my potential, take pride in what I do, and ultimately find the courage to finally quit making excuses and pursue my dreams,” writes Kimi Marin.
Jennifer earned a GED and began working toward her goal by pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work degree, volunteering as a sexual assault victim advocate, and interning for a domestic violence shelter. Upon graduation, she became a women’s advocate for Crossroads Safehouse. After six months she was offered the role of shelter director for the agency and served in that capacity for three years before accepting her current position as Director of Development and Sustainability. Currently, Jennifer is a single mom, enrolled as a full-time MBA student at Colorado State University, and is working full-time for a domestic violence victim advocacy agency.
Jennifer has been active in issues involving women and girls since 2004. She volunteered as a sexual assault victim advocate and as a mentor for a seven-year-old girl who had been abused by her father and exposed to domestic violence against her mother. As an intern with Crossroads Safehouse, she responded to the scene of domestic violence crimes to offer support and information to victims and volunteered as a legal advocate to accompany victims during court hearings and explain the criminal justice process. Since graduation, she has engaged in activities ranging from providing teen dating violence prevention education in schools and engaging faith groups in the response to domestic violence to helping to complete a capital campaign to establish a new Safehouse in Larimer County.
In addition to her academic and professional activities, one of Jennifer’s most significant commitments is working toward the betterment of women and girls through parenting her son. Jennifer states, “I know that to be successful in our work to improve the quality of life for females, we cannot disenfranchise or exclude men and boys. By fostering empathy among boys and modeling respect for all genders, we create a united effort in ending violence against women.”
Jennifer Jones could easily be a poster child for SIFC’s Living Her Dream Award. “Jennifer’s passion has been and continues to be the improvement in quality of life for women and girls. Her ability to overcome obstacles to pursue her passion and to model independence and self-sufficiency allow her to relate to women who need encouragement and inspiration,” adds Vicki Lutz. Fort Collins Soroptimists look forward to her success. As the 2011 recipient, she receives a check in the amount of $1,000 to help her Live Her Dream.
