LOUARN SORKIN

San Diego native Louarn Sorkin and her husband Alan, a transplant from Chicago, were very intrigued when they were first introduced to the concept of Social Venture Partners nearly a decade ago. That was the beginning of San Diego SVP, as the Sorkin’s helped to launch the group locally in 2001. Louarn and Alan remain deeply involved in San Diego philanthropy.

In addition to being one of the founding Partners of SVP, Sorkin also co-founded Just in Time For Foster Youth, a nonprofit organization that furnishes apartments and dorm rooms as well as many other programs for young adults who are transitioning from foster care to independent life on their own. After serving on their board for four years and organizing their fundraising events, Sorkin transitioned off the board to serve as one of their advisors.

Sorkin served on the Board of Directors of the La Jolla Guild for the San Diego Opera for nine years and was their Board President for two terms. She has been involved with many charitable organizations, such as St. Germaine Children’s Charity Board of Directors, the Salvation Army Woman’s Auxiliary Board of Directors since 2009, Country Friends, San Diego Opera Counsel of Guilds, San Diego Grantmakers, the Single Professional Society for the Performing Arts Board of Directors, Friends of Children Board of Directors and several groups working with abused children. She is also a member of the Village Garden Club of La Jolla and loves working in her two English and French style gardens.

In 2009, Sorkin was honored by being named a “Woman of Dedication” at the 44th Annual Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Luncheon.

Sorkin has many hobbies, including gardening, crocheting “Happy Hats” for children going through chemotherapy and rescuing rabbits.​ From 2005 until 2019, she crocheted more than 650 hats and scarves that were distributed through the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary for seniors and homeless programs and transitioning foster youth. In 2008, she institutionalized the practice by starting the “Creative Yarn Group” organization to crochet hats, scarves and baby items for local charities. The group goal each year is a minimum of 1000 knit and crocheted items for holiday distribution. In 2019 they donated 1242 items.

Sorkin loves traveling the world with her husband, Alan as well as commuting to Boise to visit her son and his family.