Human Trafficking Awareness Walk Jan. 10
Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland will hold its 20th annual Human Trafficking Awareness Walk and Event on January 10 at the United Methodist Church of Vista, 490 S. Melrose Drive, Vista. Keynote speaker will be Vista Mayor John Franklin. All are welcome.
Read Tom Robertson’s excellent article in the North County Daily Star here:
https://northcountydailystar.com/hundreds-take-part-in-19th-annual-human-trafficking-awareness-walk/
See’s Candies Fundraiser
We’re Fundraising with See’s Candies!
With the Holidays coming up, this should make your gift-giving easy!
Starting NOW members and supporters can order See’s Candy online shipped to their friends and relatives anywhere in the USA using the QR code or visiting our special fundraising page:
https://www.yumraising.com/store/winter-2025-soroptimist-of-vista-north-county-inland-8e5e/Thotho4388
QuarterMania! Fundraiser to be held November 22
QuarterMania is a cross between an auction and a raffle where people ‘bid’ to win a product/prize of brand new goods donated from multiple vendors participating in the event. Bids on these new items are from 1 to 3 quarters. When you arrive at a QM, you will register and select a paddle with a number, which is used for your bidding on the items you want to win.
The QuarterMania auctioneer begins by holding up a product and telling a little bit about the highlights, and then tells everyone how much the item is going for – between 1 and 3 quarters! If you would like to bid on that item, you put the corresponding number of quarters in the collection pot, then hold up your paddle(s) and wait for your number to be called!
Once all the bids are in, the auctioneer shuffles the chips with the corresponding numbers on them and pulls out a number!
If your lucky paddle number is called and you HAVE placed a bid, you WIN that item – and you only paid 1, 2, or 3 quarters!!
Protecting Our Youth Town Hall Nov. 17
November 2025, Vista, CA—The City of Vista is partnering with Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland and the Vista Unified School District to hold a Youth Digital Safety Town Hall on Monday, November 17 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Morris B. Vance Community Room, 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista, CA 92084. The event, “Protecting Our Youth in an Age of AI and Apps” is free to the public, and complimentary water and snacks will be provided. Guest panelists include San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan, Deputy DA’s Ryan Karkenny and Claudia Grasso, trafficking survivor/advocates, and representatives from One Safe Place, Generate Hope and VUSD. The purpose is to educate the community—especially parents, educators, and youth—about the digital threats facing our young people, and to foster collaboration among the public safety, education, and social sectors.
For more information email allison.5858@yahoo.com or contact VUSD Student Services at 760-726-2170 Ext. 92180.
Lawyer to Speak at October 9 Collaborative Meeting
Please mark your calendars and join us Thursday, October 9th at 9:00 am. for our next San Diego North County Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative Meeting at United Methodist Church Community Room, at 490 S. Melrose, Vista, CA in their upper level community room. The event is free to the public and complimentary coffee and pastries will be available.
Guest Speaker will be Rebecca Womelsdorf of the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, Inc. (SDVLP). She will speak about the work they do to help trafficking victims clear their record.
The North County Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative is a diverse group of citizens and community organizations committed to raising awareness about human trafficking, sharing information, improving victim services, educating the public, and advocating for related policy and legislation.
The Collaborative meets quarterly at 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Vista at 490 S. Melrose Drive, Vista, California. The event is free to the public, and coffee and pastries are served. Schedule is usually posted online at http://www.soroptimistvista.org/calendar/
For more information email Allison Temples at allison.5858@yahoo.com or Nelly Jarrous at nellynmj@gmail.com (or call 760-758-1910 or 951-764-3719).
Applicants Sought for Live Your Dream Award
Women who are the primary wage earners for their families can now apply for financial assistance through the Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women. The awards, which provide cash grants to help women continue their education or training, are open for applications until November 15. Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland will award recipients cash awards of varying amounts to be determined. These local winners may also advance to the Soroptimist Region level, where they could receive up to an additional $5,000. The program culminates with three finalists each receiving $10,000.
Recipients of the Live Your Dream Award can use the funds to cover various education-related expenses, including tuition, books, childcare, and transportation. Each year, the Live Your Dream Award program distributes over $2.8 million in cash grants to women who serve as the head of their households. Since its inception in 1972, the program has provided more than $40 million, helping tens of thousands of women improve their lives and those of their families.
Founded in 1953, the Vista club is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas, a global volunteer organization dedicated to providing women and girls with access to education and training for economic empowerment. The organization also runs LiveYourDream.org, an online community offering volunteer opportunities to support women and girls. For more information on the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards and to apply, visit here.
Soroptimists Honored by County
VISTA, California, July 2025–Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland was honored on July 21 with a proclamation from the San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond’s office recognizing the club’s efforts to fight human trafficking. July 30th marks the annual observance of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Members of the club gathered at the Vista Courthouse to receive the Proclamation from Alyssa Formolo, Supervisor Desmond’s Policy Advisor and Community Liaison.
For 20 years the local Soroptimists have worked to raise awareness and seek solutions through an annual Human Trafficking Awareness Walk held in Vista each January and by holding regular North County Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative meetings, where community partners and volunteers brainstorm solutions and hear guest speakers. The next meeting of the Collaborative will be on October 9th and the 20th Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Walk will be held January 10, 2026.
Soroptimist International is a worldwide volunteer service organization for women working to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and worldwide.
For more information see soroptimistvista.org or contact Allison Temples (allison.5858@yahoo.com).
CAPTION: Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland with Proclamation from County Supervisor Jim Desmond’s office. L-R: Soroptimists Jennifer Luz-Olson, Susan Roncone, Kaye Van Nevel, Sherry Luz, Nelly Jarrous, Allison Temples, Runa Gunnars, and Donna DiBella. Photo by Alyssa Formolo. (Permission granted for use.)
PHOTO: Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland with Proclamation from County Supervisor Jim Desmond’s office. L-R: Soroptimists Jennifer Luz-Olson, Susan Roncone, Kaye Van Nevel, Sherry Luz, Nelly Jarrous, Allison Temples, Runa Gunnars, and Donna DiBella. Photo by Alyssa Formolo.
Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative Update
Allison Temples and Nelly Jarrous opened the meeting by welcoming all attendees and thanking them for coming. She asked attendees to stand up and introduce themselves.
She then introduced our legislative analyst, Penny Harrington, who referred us to a one page summary of 4 bills in the State Legislature (see attached)* and updated us on the history and status AB 379 which establishes a fund for community-based organizations supporting victims of sex trafficking, makes it a misdemeanor to loiter with the intent to purchase sex ($1000 fine to fund the support portion), and ensures that the crime of purchasing a minor for sex applies in any case where the victim is under 18. She urged attendees to contact their representatives to ask them to support the bill.
Allison then introduced our guest speaker, Marjorie Saylor, Care Coordinator at One Safe Place in San Marcos. Marjorie (herself a survivor of trafficking) talked about the need to crack down on the buyers. She said there is now growing support for the push to finally address the demand side of sex trafficking. She pointed out that research has shown that decriminalizing sex buying just results in demand going up, and the buyers are primarily white men with disposable income, while the victims are primarily poor, black and brown and LGBT.
Marjorie talked about her job at One Safe Place in San Marcos, which provides no cost support services all under one roof to anyone who has experienced child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, hate crime, elder abuse, human trafficking, violent loss, family violence, or other abuse or victimization.
After a question and answer period, the meeting adjourned at 1 pm
Next meeting is October 9 (Guest Speaker will be Rebecca Womelsdorf, Atty, San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program)
Soroptimists Install Incoming Board
Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland 2025-2026 Board (l-r): Aleta Dirdo (Treasurer), Delegates Sherry Luz, Thoralinda Soyland, and Eden Weinberger, Dyana Preti (Director), Jennifer Luz-Olson (President), Delegate Nancy Schaedler, Runa Gunnars (Vice President) and Special Guest Pat Whitacre (Past Region Governor). Missing from photo: Karen Thompson (Secretary). Photo by Jackie Piro Huyck.
VISTA, California, July 2, 2025–Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland held its 72nd Installation of Officers at a brunch held Saturday, June 21 at Brickman’s Restaurant at Lake San Marcos. The brunch began with the introduction of special invited guests Jasmine Craft, a recent recipient of the club’s Live Your Dream award, Region Secretary Lynn Flanagan and past Region Governor Pat Whitacre. Outgoing President Susan Roncone recapped the club accomplishments under her tenre. Installed for the coming year were Jennifer Luz-Olson (President), Runa Gunnars (Vice President), Karen Thompson (Secretary), Aleta Dirdo (Treasurer) and Dyana Preti (Director). Delegates Nancy Schaedler, Eden Weinberger, Sherry Luz and Thoralinda Soyland were also installed. The club is part of a global women’s organization that seeks to educate and empower women and girls. Members come from Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, Fallbrook, and Bonsall. New members always welcome. Visit soroptimistvista.org.
OFFICERS ELECT 2025-2026
President: Jennifer Luz-Olson
Vice President: Runa Gunnars
Secretary: Karen Thompson
Treasurer: Aleta Dirdo
Director of Programs: Dyana Preti
Delegates:
President of the Club, Jennifer Luz-Olson
One Year: Nancy Schaedler
Alternate: Eden Weinberger
Two Year: Sherry Luz
Alternate: Thoralinda Soyland
Anti-Trafficking Collaborative July Meeting
Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative Meeting to be held July 10
Contact: Allison Temples at allison.5858@yahoo.com or Nelly Jarrous at nellynmj@gmail.com
May 12, 2025, Vista, CA—Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland will host the North County Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative meeting on Thursday, July 10, 9 a.m., at United Methodist Church of Vista, 490 S. Melrose Ave., Vista in their upper level community room. The event is free to the public, and complimentary coffee and pastries will be provided. Topic will be One Safe Place/Family Justice Center in San Marcos. “Marjorie Saylor, Care Coordinator and Director of Human Trafficking Services and Awareness, will give us a virtual tour of One Safe Place and talk about the wonderful work they accomplish for all those in compromising situations,” said Collaborative Co-Chair Allison Temples. “She will also present a history and update on State Assembly Bill 379 (Survivor Support and Demand Reduction Act).” For more information email allison.5858@yahoo.com or nellynmj@gmail.com or call 760-758-1910 or 951-764-3719.
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ABOUT SOROPTIMISTS OF VISTA and NORTH COUNTY INLAND:
Soroptimist of Vista and North County Inland (SI Vista NCI) was chartered on March 23, 1953. We are a dynamic group of women who seek to make a difference in our community through offering scholarships and grants to local women in need and by raising awareness and educating the public about issues affecting women and girls, such as domestic violence and human trafficking. Funds are raised through our club fundraisers and personal projects. For over 70 years in service, we have been committed to women’s education, leadership development, fellowship and diversity, and protecting the environment. SI Vista NCI holds meetings the first and third Friday of each month as well as evening meet and greets every 4th Friday. For more information see our website at soroptimistvista.org or email us at soroptimistinternationalvista@gmail.com.
ABOUT NORTH COUNTY ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING COLLABORATIVE
The North County San Diego Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative is a diverse group of individuals and community organizations committed to eliminate human trafficking and modern day slavery. Our mission is to raise awareness of human trafficking, provide a platform to share information, improve victim services, educate ourselves and the public, and advocate for policy and legislation related to human trafficking.
Marjorie Saylor of One Safe Place
