History

The name "ZONTA" is a Sioux Indian word meaning:

• honest & trustworthy
• inspiring
• banding together for the purpose of loyalty
• shelter
  

Zonta International was founded in Buffalo, New York in 1919. Currently, there are 1,254 clubs located in 68 countries around the world. The Zonta Club of Kitchener-Waterloo was chartered in 1978. We celebrated our 25th anniversary of service in 2003.  Zonta International has Consultative Status with:

Chartering members at the 25th Anniversary Celebration, November 2003.

• The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF)
• The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
• The International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Council or Europe
• General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
• Operational Relations with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO).

For the 2006-2008 biennium, Zonta International Service Projects are as follows:

1. Niger
   CARE International Micro Credit and Health Education for HIV/AIDS-Affected Women in Niger - US$307,000
2. Afghanistan
   Afghan Institute of Learning – Developing Community Based Efforts to Educate Afghan Women & Girls - US$100,000
3. Bosnia
   Access to Education and Health Care: Education & Leadership US$250,000
4. Sri Lanka
   UNIDO Support for Revival of Rural Community-Based Self-Help Initiatives US$250,000

Community Service

Local beneficiaries of Zonta service funds:

• Focus for Ethnic Women
• Community Justice Initiatives
• Mood Disorders Association Waterloo Region (Canadian Mental Health)
• Eating Disorders Awareness Coalition
• Hospice Waterloo Region
• Catholic Family Counselling
• The Literacy Council of Waterloo Region
• Family and Children's Services
• KidsLink
• K-W Counselling Services Inc.
• Volunteer Action Centre
• Betty Thompson Youth Centre-Lutherwood Family & Children's Centre
• Big Brothers-Big Sisters of KW & Area
• Alzheimer Society of K-W
• Planned Parenthood of Waterloo Region
• Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region
• K-W Sexual Assault Centre
• Foodbank of Waterloo Region
• Mary's Place
• The Legal Education & Action Fund (L.E.A.F.)
• Salvation Army
• Parents Are People Too!
• Shalom Counselling Services
• The Working Centre

Some examples of the Club's "hands on" time projects: