Two Honored for Making a Difference for Women

Fort Collins Soroptimist is pleased to announce their 2014 Making a Difference for Women Awards. The Soroptimist Making a Difference for Women recognition honors ordinary women, who through their professional and personal efforts are making extraordinary differences in the lives of women and girls. This year’s awardees are Jennifer Jones, Executive Director of SAVA (Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center) and Melissa Schaefer, program chair for the Poudre School District Teen Parent Program.

Jennifer Jones is a constant force for equality and empowerment in northern Colorado. Her professional and volunteer efforts focus on prevention of and recovery from domestic violence and sexual assault. Hundreds of northern Colorado women and girls have been touched by Jennifer’s efforts at Crossroads SafeHouse, and SAVA. 

Melissa Schaefer, the program chair for the Poudre School District Teen Parent Program, has been making an impact on the lives of teen parents for the past six years.  Melissa is the sole teacher of the teen parenting classes and teaches, assists and mentors students through some pretty difficult situations to prepare them for life after high school. Through her professional and personal efforts Melissa makes extraordinary differences in the lives of teen mothers.

Soroptimist of Fort Collins has recognized numerous outstanding women in the past.  Some of our past honorees include: Dr. Stace Scharfe, LouAnn DeCoursey, Sister Mary Alice Murphy, Victoria Lutz--Past Executive Director of Crossroads Safehouse, Julie Field, Mary Carraher and Nicole Gawronski of Project Self-Sufficiency, Wendy Stine of Harmony Foundation, Dr. Sue Ellen Charlton from CSU, Wendy Cohen of 2Hearts4Lacy, former State Senator Peggy Reeves, and Past Fort Collins Mayor Nancy Gray.