Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley supports women and youth through service and leadership initiatives

The Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley, USA, recently completed several initiatives supporting women and girls in the community.

Nearly 20 Zontians, Z Club and Golden Z members gathered at the Child and Family Center for a Purple Purse Packing Party.

Participants packed 31 purses with donated toiletries for women living at Bridge to Home. Each purse, donated by a local Lean In group, was filled with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a loofah sponge, cotton swabs, a hairbrush and a handwritten note of encouragement featuring messages such as “You are enough.”

In addition, members donated 40 emergency hygiene and essentials bags to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station to support survivors of domestic violence as they transition to safer living situations.

On 13 September, Z Club members from Golden Valley High School, Canyon High School, Castaic High School and West Ranch High School, along with advisors and Z Club Committee members, met at West Ranch High School for the third annual Z Club Fall Retreat.

The retreat began with an icebreaker activity led by committee member Jen Abbott, followed by an overview of Zonta and the work of Z Clubs across the district presented by committee member Jenny Ketchepaw. Advocacy Chair Dinh Montane later delivered an Advocacy 101 presentation that introduced collaborative partnership opportunities for students.

Working in mixed school groups, participants brainstormed and prioritized three potential joint advocacy projects: a purse donation and packing activity, a color run and a Denim Day activity.

Club President Cherise Moore then led a session focused on personal and club values. The day concluded with participants sharing words that reflected their experience, including “empowered,” “excited,” “impactful” and “inspired.”

Continuing the club's service work, the Zonta Service Committee also donated 40 emergency hygiene and essentials bags to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station to support survivors of domestic violence.

Under the leadership of Jackie Howarth and Maria Slotsve, the committee prepared and delivered the bags filled with daily necessities. The reusable carriers were sewn by the Solidarity Sewing Workshop using fabric donated by Zontian Cathy Gundy.

Each bag included shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes donated by Zontian Carolina Orozco Hernandez, a comb and hairbrush, a cosmetic bag, a hand towel and feminine hygiene products.

This initiative reflects Zonta’s ongoing partnership with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station to help survivors access immediate necessities and begin their transition to a safer and more secure future.