Dream It Be It Program - Soroptimist International of Las Cruces

HomeDream It Be It for High School Girls

Soroptimist International of Las Cruces works in partnership with The New America School in Las Cruces where each month girls take part in a hands-on Dream It, Be It workshop led by Soroptimist mentors and guest professionals. Together, the sessions build confidence, career awareness, and practical life skills.

This local initiative is part of the Dream It, Be It Career Support for Girls program created by Soroptimist International of the Americas and adapted by 1300 community-based Soroptimist clubs in 20 countries and territories to meet the needs of the girls they serve. The curriculum modules were developed in response to Soroptimist-led focus groups and polls of adolescent girls that confirmed the thesis that adolescent girls need guidance, training and resources if they are to succeed in their lives and achieve their career goals. Far too many girls face barriers on the pathway to achieving their dreams. Obstacles such as poverty, teen dating violence, unstable home lives, or teen motherhood can get in the way of a girl's ability to make her dreams a reality. By reaching girls while they are still young, we not only can help them stay healthy and safe in the short term, but we can reduce the number of women in crisis in the future.

Girls who complete 5 of 9 workshops in an academic year are eligible to apply for a $500 scholarship when they graduate. Scholarship awardees are further eligible to apply for emergency assistance, if needed, during their post-high school education. The additional funding, through our S.A.F.E. Program is intended to cover unexpected expenses that could derail or completely halt their progress toward their educational goals.

2026-2027 School Year

August: Getting to Know You

Every year begins with connection. Through shared activities, girls and their Soroptimist mentors build the trust and rapport that long-term mentoring relationships grow from.

September: Discovering Your Dreams

Girls create a personal Dream Box, a hands-on project that invites them to reflect on their values, interests, and aspirations and to picture the future they want to build.

October: Exploring Careers, Part 1

Girls meet professional women at different stages of their careers and ask the questions that matter: What does a typical workday look like? What education or training is required? What obstacles did you face, and what do you love most about your work?

November: Exploring Careers, Part 2 – Building Trades

This session opens girls' eyes to careers in the building trades, paths women often don't consider, and which may be reached through training and preparation other than college.

December: Professional Etiquette

During a festive holiday celebration, girls learn and practice business etiquette, building the poise to make a strong impression in interviews and in the workplace.

January: Rising Above Obstacles

Girls learn to recognize the gender-based obstacles that can stand in the way of success and develop practical strategies for overcoming them.

February: Financial Success

Girls build a foundation for financial independence by learning to budget, compare checking and savings accounts, understand simple versus compound interest, and weigh college scholarships against student loans.

April: Turning Failure into Success

Many girls learn early in life to fear failure. This workshop explores the role mistakes play in growth and learning, helping girls build resilience and reframe setbacks as stepping stones.

May: Balancing Stress

Adolescents are reporting rising levels of stress, which can affect both physical and mental health. Girls identify the sources of stress in their own lives and learn new techniques for managing it and taking care of themselves.

2027-28 School Year

August: Getting to Know You

Every year begins with connection. Through shared activities, girls and their Soroptimist mentors build the trust and rapport that long-term mentoring relationships grow from.

September: The Elevator Speech

Girls learn to craft a 30- to 60-second speech they can use to introduce themselves with confidence, whether pitching themselves for a job or scholarship interview or asking for support for a project.

October: Aligning Your Career with Your Values

Through a self-assessment of their interests and values, girls identify what matters most to them and explore careers that fit. Understanding what they care about now helps point the way to a fulfilling future, and girls leave with greater self-confidence and a practical approach to career decisions.

November: Creating Achievable Goals

Girls practice the essential skill of goal setting. Each develops a clear, reasonable goal and maps out the small action steps that will get her there.

December: Dressing for Success

This entertaining fashion presentation shows what to wear for a range of professional occasions and workplaces, and how to build a professional wardrobe on a small budget.

January: Introduction to Community College

A representative from Doña Ana Community College (DACC) walks girls through the college application process, how academic advisers are assigned, how to register for classes, and the many resources available to help students succeed.

February: Healthy Relationships and Dating Safety

Girls explore what healthy communication, mutual respect, and trust look like in dating relationships, and the importance of setting and respecting boundaries.

April: Putting Dreams into Action

This workshop bridges the gap between dreams and action. Girls combine their personal vision with the skills they've built throughout the year to create a concrete action plan, and identify the people in their community who can help them carry it out.

May: Reflection and Celebration

The year closes with a look back at what girls have learned and an end-of-year celebration of their growth and accomplishments.

The 2026-27 Dream It Be It Program is sponsored by

Interested in becoming a mentor to high school girls?
Email Toni or Margo at silascruces@soroptimist.net.