Camas — Julie Hanke, founder and president of Vida’s Ark, was presented the Ruby Award by Soroptimist International of Camas-Washougal on Oct. 18 “for her extraordinary work helping teen mothers and their babies.”
Vida’s Ark is a homegrown nonprofit that provides a safe, supportive home environment where young mothers learn “life and parenting skills to become self-sufficient, educated, healthy parents,” according to a statement from SICW.
Hanke is the case manager for the Vancouver Public Schools Teen Parent Program. Vida’s Ark was opened in March 2006.
The Soroptimist Ruby Award “acknowledges ordinary women who, through their personal or professional activities, have worked in extraordinary ways to improve the lives of women and girls,” SICW said. The award presentation was held at Camas’ Zion Lutheran Church.
