Great Lakes Region Chapter Programs
Dearborn, MI Undergraduate Chapter Hosts Program to Strengthen Family
Xi Phi, the AKA chapter at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, recently hosted a program titled, "Where Is the Love?" This event was designed to facilitate discussion between men and women on how to have better relationships. The discussion included relationship issues, as well as the current economic status of the Black family.
More than 40 students turned out for this discussion, which was facilitated by Derrick Davis, Minority Student Recruiter for the Admissions Office at University of Michigan-Dearborn.
"Where Is the Love" is part of a series of programs that address issues related to the African American family. One of these issues is financial stability, which falls under the Sorority's International Program Platform III – Economic Growth of the Black Family.
Undergraduates Apply ESP to Educate Parents
Pi Delta Chapter of Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI sponsored a workshop on "Parental Controls" at Birney Middle School. Thirty parents and school administrators attended the workshop, which covered the topics "What are Facebook and YouTube?" and "How to Monitor Your Children's Computer Use."
Focused on the Sorority's International Platform IV: Undergraduate Signature Program – Economic Educational Advancement Through Technology, the workshop was well received as the presenters were asked to return to present more on these topics.
Leadership Development Program – Creating Tomorrow’s Leaders Today
The members of Xi Epsilon Omega Chapter believe that we all have leadership capability. However, these qualities need to be nurtured and developed, especially in future leaders. That’s why, 26 years ago, the Chapter established its Leadership Development Program. Today, under the ESP mantle, the program has expanded and is embraced under Platform III -The Economic Growth of the Black Family.
Over the years, the Chapter has impacted the Buffalo and Erie County communities by awarding over $150,000 in scholarships, computers and incentive gifts. Hundreds of young people have completed the program and credit it with helping them acquire leadership skills. During the 2007-2008 program year, 15 participants—males and females—successfully completed the project.
The biannual 10-month program was first implemented in 1982 in Amherst, NY. Open to high school juniors and seniors, it provides young men and women with leadership skill-building experiences that develop their knowledge and abilities in:
- public speaking and debate;
- essay writing;
- organizational management (they campaign and hold elections for officer positions in the group) and parliamentary procedure;
- team-building and group collaboration;
- entrepreneurial skills development;
- money management and personal fiscal responsibility;
- community service;
- networking skills; and
- college admissions and financial aid.
Included in the curriculum are some fun activities, including icebreakers, theater and pizza parties and involvement in ethnic celebrations such as Kwanzaa. Participants also learn more about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s history and programs of service. In addition to learning firsthand about service through a community-project requirement, they are also given membership in the Buffalo Branch NAACP.
Two events culminate the months of workshops and group/individual projects: the college tour and the closing pageant.
The college tour is an informative and cultural experience that exposes the students to colleges in the Historically Black College community. This three-day trip is always fun-filled, but principally an experience that students say they will never forget and often influences their college-choice decision. At the end of the program, students help organize a pageant that showcases their talents and concludes with scholarship and incentive awards.
Graduates of the program have gone on to become leaders in health care, education, science, politics, banking, the art world and much, much more.
Columbus, OH Chapter Targets Extra Special People
Members of the Columbus, OH Chapter, Alpha Sigma Omega, are eagerly carrying out the Sorority's "service to all mankind" credo through an innovative partnership—the AKAdemy of Extra Special People.
This partnership with the Chapter, Junior Achievement of Central Ohio and Mentor Pathways, is a part of the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church Community Development Corporation.
The initiative provides economics education to young people. It also includes children who are members of three families the Chapter has adopted through its Alpha Sigma Omega Halo Project.
Members meet once a month with the elementary school students they mentor. The meetings encompass Junior Achievement training on economics, which includes career development, emphasis on education and examining economics of the home, city, region and state. It is in keeping with JA’s purpose "to prepare and inspire young people to succeed in the global economy."
The AKAdemy of Extra Special People epitomizes what can happen when chapters think outside the proverbial box and join forces with successful and existing community initiatives. Mentor Pathways financed training for all of the Chapter's mentors at the Mentoring Center of Central Ohio. This training assures that mentors can establish caring and committed relationships with the young people, with a goal of using those relationships for skill-building and exposure to a broadened view of the future.
Extra Special People in the AKAdemy also take part in special events, with transportation provided by Mentor Pathways partners. There will be four outings each year, including attending a theater production and trips to a professional hockey and soccer game.
In its inaugural year, ten members/mentors and ten students are in the AKAdemy of Extra Special People. Chapter members are excited about the project and looking forward to its growth and to expanding relationships with the larger Columbus community.
Detroit Metro Chapter is Making a Healthier Difference
The Sorority's Detroit metropolitan chapter is making Health Resource Management and Economics a serious matter by leading the charge within the community.
Members of the Lambda Pi Omega Chapter dedicated their resources to helping the Detroit metropolitan area become more physically and mentally fit. The Chapter's Health Committee committed to educating individuals on important topics that most individuals deal with on a daily basis. These issues include breast cancer, healthy eating, weight control and how to maintain a positive mental state of being.
The Chapter actively participated in several walks and made financial contributions to support such organizations as the Lupus Foundation, Relay for Life, Race for the Cure and The AIDS Society.
The Chapter served as an enabler to the community by informative programs such as "Keep Walkin" for our Health, Hustle for Your Heart, 1908 Centennial Walk, the Million Pound Challenge and Powerhouse Gym. At an Annual Health Awareness Day, informational tables were available that included a variety of information on cancer, high blood pressure, strokes and diabetes. Health screenings were also available (i.e. blood pressure and cholesterol checks) as was the Annual Salad Fest, which educates people on healthy eating, the importance of diet and exercise and emotional well-being. In addition, monthly articles and tips are provided to Chapter members via the Ivy Express newsletter.
Supporting cancer research is a priority for the Chapter, particularly since one of its members—Felicia McDaniel—was diagnosed with breast cancer. Felicia has emerged a role model and an encouragement to others who may be experiencing health issues. Her journey started with a self-examination. Fortunately, this story ended with hope and a testimony. Felicia has been in remission since 2006 and, during her radiation treatments, reactivated with the Chapter. Through prayer, the love of family, friends, church and Chapter members, she remained strong. Today, she is an active participant in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Race for the Cure and Relay for Life.
She tells her story because she knows that "through education, we can make breast cancer a disease of the past." She tells her story because she has a mother, daughters, sisters, relatives, Chapter members and friends who she wants to stay alive. She tells her story, she says, because it is "by God's grace that I am here to do so."
Lambda Pi Omega has worked very hard to meet the challenge of making a healthier difference in the Black community by equipping the community with Education, Service and dynamic Programs!
Adopt-A-Family Focuses on the African-American Family with Emphasis on the Black Male
The Rochester, NY chapter, Delta Nu Omega, put the ESP principles into action through help it provided to the Riley Family, a struggling family that had fallen on hard times.
Mr. Riley is a single father raising one son, Semaj, while struggling to maintain his current lifestyle. He was living in an apartment and did not have the financial knowledge nor the financial means to provide the things he and his son needed. Semaj was struggling in school and needed help.
The Chapter provided Mr. Riley with the tools necessary for better financial planning through money management workshops. It also provided tutoring for his son.
Through their intervention, Mr. Riley learned valuable money-management skills. Today, Mr. Riley owns a home, and Semaj is receiving additional tutoring and doing better in school.