Kayleigh Cameron is an example of the 15 women who are juggling school and caregiving who were recognized with Live Your Dream awards totaling $25,000 at a recent Soroptimist International of Poway luncheon.
Cameron is completing the rigorous prerequisites to apply to the competitive cardiovascular technology program at Grossmont College while caring for her daughter.
One of Cameron’s professors described her as “one of the most admirable students” they have taught, adding that “she is a leader with extraordinary discipline, and has a commitment to helping others succeed.”
Despite her struggles, Cameron said her daughter has inspired her to keep pursuing her goals.
“My daughter has been my purpose and the savior of my life,” she said at the March 14 event at The Heights Golf Club in Rancho Bernardo. “I’ve been able to completely transform my life. I’m truly working on being the change I want to see in myself.”
The awards of $1,000 to $4,000 each were provided by Soroptimist International of Poway. The volunteer organization is part of a global network that provides women and girls with access to education and training needed to achieve economic empowerment.
The awards help the women pursue their educational goals in the face of adversity, said Poway Soroptimist member Janice Takade. They encourage women to be resilient and to believe in their future, she said.
“We believe in your dreams,” Takade told the women gathered at the event at The Heights Golf Club in Rancho Bernardo. “We are honored to support you.”
Soroptimist International of Poway raised funds for the Live Your Dream awards during a Celebration of Courage fundraiser. The luncheon, silent auction and games were coordinated with the North San Diego Soroptimists club in May 2025, said Shanie Laflamme, public awareness chair for Soroptimist of Poway. This year the fundraiser, which also supports transitional housing for women, is set for Oct. 4.
Live Your Dream was a much-needed boost for Donica Carabajal, 47, who lives in Chula Vista but was born and raised in Poway. The single mom of two boys ages 11 and 17 years old said during the Soroptimist event that she is in recovery from drug addiction.
Carabajal plans to spend her award funds on continuing her education at San Diego City College this year and at San Diego State University starting in fall 2027. She is pursuing associates degrees in alcohol and other drug studies and also social work in addition to a certificate in mental health.
“My goal is to get a master’s in social work,” she said. “I’ll get my bachelor’s in two years and then my masters in one year after that.
“My ultimate goal is to work for Child Welfare Services and I’m hoping to go to law school and work in the juvenile court system,” she added.
Julie Gallant
Donica Carabajal, 47, received a $3,000 Live Your Dream award to pursue an education in social work. (Julie Gallant)
Carabajal is already gaining experience as an intern at an outpatient drug treatment center for the Union of Pan Asian Communities that offers health and human services support in San Diego County.
She said she was motivated to turn her life around because of her children. She’s said she’s celebrating being “clean” for over three years.
“I’m in recovery myself,” said Carabajal. “I lived that lifestyle for the majority of my life. Now I’m on a great journey.”
Jamie Depaul, a 38-year-old resident of the Mountain View community in San Diego, also received a Live Your Dream award.
Depaul said during the event the funds will help her transfer from San Diego City College to San Diego State University where she plans to pursue a bachelor’s and then a master’s degree in social work.
“This is my last semester at San Diego City College,” Depaul said. “I feel like I turned something negative into a positive. Through education I found a community.”
Julie Gallant
Jamie Depaul, 38, received a $1,000 Live Your Dream award to pursue a degree in social work. (Julie Gallant)
Now Depaul is considering various pathways for her social work, among them helping homeless people, children or military veterans.
Depaul said she turned her life around after realizing there were consequences to her actions.
“Ultimately, I see myself as someone who can do better instead of victimizing myself,” she said. “My problems are good problems. Things are getting better and better.”
Live Your Dream education and training awards for women is one of Soroptimist International’s signature programs. In 2024-25, Soroptimist International of the Americas distributed more than $3.4 million in education awards to more than 2,300 inspiring women globally, according to the organization.
At the March 14 event, each woman received a certificate and yellow rose along with their Soroptimist check.
“We believe that when women and girls receive an education, they gain the opportunity, choice and power to make positive, healthy decisions for themselves and their families,” organizers said. “Education is not simply access to learning – it is the most powerful pathway to empowerment.”