Each biennium non-profit organizations that are interested may present their programs to Zonta Club of Kankakee for consideration of funding.  Presentations considered for service projects are voted on by club members and must meet the criteria of Zonta’s mission.

The Zonta International Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarships, first awarded in 1998, are open to women pursuing an undergraduate degree in business leading to a business management career.  The program is designed to encourage undergraduate women to enter careers and to seek leadership positions in business related fields.  The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship looks to the women of today to be the leaders of tomorrow. Applications are due to:  Vickie Romein, 106 Julie Drive, Kankakee, IL  60901, by April 20, 2007.

Harbor House - Zonta Club of Kankakee, and Harbor House together sponsor an “Empowerment Walk” in October to bring awareness of domestic violence to the community.  Harbor House’s mission is to eliminate domestic abuse mainly for women and children.  They offer emergency shelter for victims of domestic abuse.  Also, offered is 24-hour crisis hotline, adult, child and group counseling, court advocacy, victim advocacy and referrals, domestic violence education classes, transitional housing, and community education.

 KC-Casa – Zonta Club of Kankakee and KC-CASA hold a “Take Back the Night” rally in April.  KC-Casa’s mission is to improve the quality of services for survivors of sexual assault/abuse to assist in their recovery.  They provide public education, professional training, counseling and psychological support for adult and children survivors and significant assistance throughout the medical and criminal justice process, 24-hour telephone and in-person response and partnership with community agencies to improve response to the crime of sexual violence.

Zonta is partnering with the River Valley Pregnancy Resource Center to underwrite the costs associated with the development of the "Earn While You Learn" program for Spanish-speaking clients.  The program offers parenting classes where young mothers can learn parenting skills as well as earn vouchers which they can exchange for needed baby items.  Each client is individually mentored by staff and volunteers.  Additionally, the River Valley Pregnancy Resource Center offers free on-site pregnancy tests, a broad range of counseling and support services, and adoption referrals.

Zonta has made a donation of $250 to Global Health Outreach for the purchase of transmission jelly to use in third world countries.  Pregnant women in these countries are more likely to agree to HIV/AIDS testing and treatment if they can have an ultrasound look of their unborn child.  The ultrasound also makes doctors aware of dangerous birth situations, which, if known early, can save the lives of both mother and child.

Other projects that we participate in are ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, running
in the Jingle Bell Run for the Arthritis Foundation and entering a tree in the Gallery of Trees.