LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Clear Lake Soroptimist Club has awarded $3,500 to local women.

Live Your Dream Awards help women who have faced economic and personal hardships to achieve their educational, vocational and career goals.

“It’s a favorite program in our club,” says Fawn Williams, who spearheaded the search for applicants this year.

Two awards were presented to Kailyn Profitt ($2,000) and Corrie Cole ($1,000).

In addition, Justine Schneider, a nursing student, received a community award of $500.

The first-place winner is a single mother of two young children working toward her dream to become a family nurse practitioner.

“Kailyn’s commitment to pursue her educational goals while overcoming health challenges and despite an unsupportive home environment, is impressive” said Club Director Olga Steele, one of the judges in the Live Your Dream program.

Profitt recently received an AA degree. Her long-term educational goals are to achieve bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing.

“Growing up I had little family support and by age 16 I was on my own,” said Profitt. “I was that kid that slept in class and high school was a struggle. I didn’t realize then that my problems staying awake were related to a medical condition. But I made it, graduating in 2014. Six months later I was working as a Certified Nursing Assistant and attending local community college to pursue nursing.”

Profitt’s health struggles continued and it took another five years before discovering the cause of her constant sleepiness was narcolepsy with cataplexy, a rare condition.

“I was that 1 in 2000 afflicted,” she said. “Once I got on the right treatment regimen, my life substantially improved.”

She added, “Nursing is my passion. I want to deliver babies and my ultimate goal is to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.”

Club President Sally Munger, herself a retired nurse, said that Profitt is an extraordinary young woman who did not let her upbringing or health challenges dash her hopes and dreams.

“We are so pleased to support her and we’re here to cheer her on and to offer our advice and comfort as she continues her career path,” Munger said.

Corrie Cole received the second-place award of $1,000. Also, a single mom, Cole is working towards an AA degree in criminal justice.

Steele said Cole’s determination to finish school was a factor in selecting her for the award. “Corrie has faced many challenges which impacted her ability to finish High School and stay in college. But she didn’t give up on her dreams and we’re happy to support her in achieving her plans,” Steele said.

“I have been a single mom for 20 years,” Cole said. “I had my daughter at a very young age and kept running into childcare and health issues. I moved often, trying to find affordable housing while working grave-yard shifts and extra hours to make ends meet. Without a support network the challenges were overwhelming.”

Through independent study Cole was able to finish high school and intermittently attend college.
“Now that my daughter is older and doesn’t require around the clock supervision, I am able to focus on my studies,” she said. “My goal is to help people struggling with mental illness. Ultimately, I want to obtain a degree in counseling.”

The club’s mission is to help women and girls achieve economic empowerment through education and training.

In addition to Live Your Dream, the club supports “The Nest,” a local residential program for new moms and their families.

Dinner meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at The Ripe Choice in Lakeport. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Contact President Sally Munger at 707-485-2132 to make a reservation or for more information about what it means to be a Soroptimist.