International Region Chapter Programs
Bahamas Chapter Salutes ESP
AKA’s Bahamas Chapter, Eta Psi Omega, developed the Honors Day Program, which implements the Sorority's ESP Platforms. Students from all the islands in the Bahamas participate in an annual weekend of activities designed to motivate, promote and celebrate the accomplishments of the brightest graduates from schools throughout the archipelago. Activities include a tour of the local tertiary institution, a courtesy call with The College of the Bahamas president, a general knowledge test, community service workshop and a church service. The weekend culminates with a luncheon.
Over the years, the Sorority has impacted the Bahamian community by awarding over $90,000 in scholarships. The program has also exposed the honorees to many outstanding Bahamian females who are pioneers in their fields, including: Dame Joan Sawyer—the Bahamas’ first female judge, first female attorney general and now president of Court of Appeal; Justice Cheryl Albury—Honorary member of the Sorority and a sitting judge of the Supreme Court of The Bahamas; and Dame Ivy Dumont—former Minister of Education, the first female Governor General of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas and a cultural icon. This year’s speaker was Ida Poitier-Turnquest, the second female president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers.
Through 30 years, the Honors Day Program has been an integral part of Eta Psi Omega Chapter's service to its community.
Ontario, Canada Chapter Takes a Unique Twist on ESP
The Ontario, Canada chapter has taken a unique twist in implementing the Economic Keys to Success Platform of the Sorority's international program. Through the tri-annual Backpacks to Briefcases Business Clothing Drive (B2B), Psi Delta Omega has donated over 1,000 lbs of clothing to help disadvantaged people enter the workforce. B2B is designed to help young people, women and men who live in poor socioeconomic conditions enter the corporate world and become financially self-sufficient.
The program was inspired by the reality that one of the many roadblocks that prevent such individuals from looking for secure jobs and careers is not having the clothing needed to approach a company, network at career fairs or attend a job interview. In partnership with community organizations such as the YWCA, East Metro Youth Services and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, the drive distributes business attire to individuals who are actively seeking employment in a business setting but lack the resources to purchase the appropriate clothing. Chapter members also encourage affiliates of the community to donate gently-used business attire.
Motivated by the mission of the program, chapter members make donations to at-risk youth, battered women in shelters, and to disadvantaged men.
The contributions from this program have a synergistic effect. Not only does B2B empower the recipients to dress for success, but it also encourages community organizations to work together. Through this program, the Chapter has worked with some of the most effective Canadian organizations.
Based on the long-term benefits, this Economically Supportive Project works to provide individuals the keys to success.