Royal Neighbors of America's Nation of Neighbors Program Awards $100,000

DALLAS - Dec. 8, 2015 - PRLog -- Being a member of Royal Neighbors of America, one of the oldest, women-led life insurers in the U.S., has significant benefits. One of them is to provide an opportunity to help women in a unique way. Each year, Royal Neighbors members and sales agents nationwide are invited to nominate someone they know who could benefit from its Nation of NeighborsProgram

Nation of Neighborsprovides financial support to empower women to achieve their full potential, realize a sense of renewed personal growth, or give back to their communities. More than $1.7 million has been awarded since it launched in 2007. Financial assistance has been awarded to over 1,200 families and individuals to achieve their dreams and reshape their lives.

“For 120 years Royal Neighbors has recognized that we are more than a nation of individuals, we are a nation of neighbors,” said Cynthia Tidwell, president/CEO of Royal Neighbors of America. “Through our Nation of Neighbors grants we and our members have the opportunity to empower women who are doing extraordinary things within their own neighborhoods. This continues Royal Neighbors’ legacy of building stronger communities – one neighbor at a time.”

Frommore than 140 nominations, 10 grants of $10,000 each were awarded to women making a difference in their communities.The recipients spanned the continent from Oakland, CA, to Fort Lauderdale, FL. They include:

Loredia Nunn-Dixon from Rock Island, IL, will use the grant funds to expand a community-wide movement that brings volunteer “navigators” together with “neighbors” in poverty.

Jane Morse-Swett from Clearwater, FL, founder of Women With Purpose which helps cancer patients with non-medical financial assistance, has designated her grant funds to further efforts to support women who are undergoing cancer treatment.

Kristy Knapp, a prevention specialist for a women’s shelter in Ottumwa, IA will expand her outreach to help educate young teens about dating violence prevention.

Lisa Shannon,an internationally known women’s advocate and author from Portland, OR, will achieve her dream to create a UN Treaty to reduce violence against women and girls.

Taumi Donovan from Perry, UT will use her grant money to create a business to provide employment for former female inmates (particularly single mothers) so they can work and care for their families and avoid going on public assistance.

Bernice Bates from Oakland, CA, will increase her efforts to help underserved and low-income women in the Bay Area become educated, economically empowered, and self-confident.

Deborah Logan from San Leandro, CA, will realize her dream to start “Pathways,” a non-profit that will provide a safe and nurturing environment where domestic violence victims can receive support and feel empowered enough to leave their abusive environments.

Minta Moore from Corpus Christi, TX, willbreak ground to provide a home-like setting where underage survivors of sex trafficking can live, get help, and heal from their traumatic experiences.

Angela Benefield-McNair from Fort Lauderdale, FL, established ayouth mentorship program, Sisters Empowering Sisters (SES). With her Nation of Neighborsgrant SES will have a meeting place and new computers for a technology center.

Sonya (Frankie) Young from Cincinnati, OH,establishedthe community garden, Produce to the People! Thanks to the $10,000 Nation of Neighborsgrant her projects (and garden) will flourish.

Royal Neighbors was founded in 1895 and is headquartered in Rock Island, IL with a branch office in Mesa, AZ. Royal Neighbors, empowers women to meet the needs of their families with annuities and life insurance products such as whole life, simplified issue, and universal life. The organization has a long history of supporting women’s issues and grassroots philanthropy, including support for women’s right to vote in the 1920s. In 2014 Royal Neighbors members volunteered 113,000 hours on community improvement projects.

Royal Neighbors is licensed in 43 states and the District of Columbia and not all products are available in all states.

For more information, visit www.royalneighbors.org or call Sally Marks at (480) 970-2521.