Far Western Region Chapter Programs

Vallejo, CA Graduate Chapter Honors Cancer Heroes at Relay for Life

Chapter members Patricia Fortman and Geneva Watts participate in the ceremonial walk for cancer survivors.

The Sorority's Vallejo chapter, Kappa Beta Omega, provided 24 continuous hours of community service at the Relay for Life in August 2009. The graduate chapter was a co-sponsor of the event, organized by the American Cancer Society.

"Our chapter has several members who are cancer survivors or who succumbed after courageous battles with this disease," said Chapter President Lynette P. Henley. "We celebrate their lives and we support the efforts of the American Cancer Society to provide hope for those that are suffering that a cure will soon be found."

More than two dozen chapter members took laps around the school's outdoor track throughout the marathon event, while others served flavored ice treats to cancer survivors.

Chapter members and Debutantes created luminary bags, representing family members, friends and loved ones affected by cancer.

The event also provided an opportunity for members of the chapter's Debutante Court to earn community service hours. The Court registered youth participants, walked miles of laps around the track and prepared luminary bags for the candlelight vigil held in memory and celebration of cancer victims and survivors.

Kappa Beta Omega has been a co-sponsor of Relay for Life for many years and has contributed thousands of dollars to support its crusade to find a cure for cancer.

Sacramento, CA Chapter Members Bridge the Gap for Foster Care Youth

The stock market is down, and the overall economic picture continues to be bleak; however, the members of the Sacramento, CA Chapter (Eta Gamma Omega) are working hard to make their mark to improve the economic growth of the Black family.

Statistics show that parental imprisonment is one of the major threats to the economic growth of the Black family. It results in thousands of children ending up in the foster care system. Of the 500,000 children in foster care in the U.S., 35% are African American.

The Chapter implemented the Every Special Person (ESP) program, with a mission to break the cycle of inter-generation incarceration of African American children. The program matches African American foster care children with Chapter members who are trained Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and act as the eyes and ears of the juvenile court. Their sole responsibility is to advocate for the best interest of their assigned foster care child.

In partnerships with the EGEEO Foundation, Sacramento County CASA, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Heaven's Gate Enterprises, the Charles A. Jones Skills and Business Education Center and the Healthy Marriage Project - Greater Sacramento Region, the program holistically meets the needs of children in foster care, who have a parent in jail/prison or on probation/parole.

Members provide a minimum of 16 hours of services per month to their assigned child, which include monthly group meetings that provide academic enrichment, personal and life skills development training and recreational/social activities. Participants remain eligible for the ESP program until they graduate from high school or pass the GED examination.

Vallejo, CA Chapter Honors African American High School Class of 2009

In June, 2009, the Vallejo, CA Chapter (Kappa Beta Omega) honored more than 60 high school seniors at the 4th Annual African American Graduation Recognition Ceremony. Students from six area high schools participated in the event, attended by more than 100 family members, friends, school administrators and elected officials.

More than 60 Vallejo, CA students were honored at the 4th Annual African American Graduation Recognition Ceremony on June 7, 2009.

"When you consider the pressures and challenges facing African American youth today, graduating from high school is a significant achievement and these students deserve special recognition for reaching this milestone," said Chapter president Lynette Henley.

Dr. Jowell Laguerre, the newly elected president of Solano Community College, was formally introduced to the community at the ceremony. Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Laguerre told the graduating class that many opportunities are available to them if they would only reach out and take them. He gave the soon-to-be graduates three admonishments.

"Decide for yourself what's good for you and be ambitious about it. Be tough-minded, so you can achieve your dreams and, remember, there are people willing to help you."

Four students were awarded scholarships, and award certificates were presented to 17 students in honor of African Americans who have made historical achievements and significant contributions in service to the community.

Seattle Chapter Launches Calendar Project to Support the Black Male

Seattle's 2009 Young Black Professionals Calendar

Delta Upsilon Omega Chapter, of Seattle, WA, is working to strengthen the Black community in the Greater Seattle area. Unlike many other major metropolitan cities, Seattle's racial makeup only consists of 10% African Americans, according to the 2004 Census. The Chapter takes seriously the plight and challenge to nourish the family unit in its community. Platform 3—Economic Growth of the Black Family—focuses on strengthening the core structure of the Black family by paying particular attention to the Black male.

In 2008, the Chapter devised an innovative initiative to fulfill this mission: "Seattle's Finest Young Black Professional's Calendar." The purpose of this calendar is to raise awareness and money for The Royal Project, a non-profit organization whose mission is to "Change Minds & Change Lives" as they address the reality that African American males are disproportionately in the criminal justice system. Against these realities, the aim of The Royal Project is to challenge African American youth to achieve their goals.

The program is open to both males and females, but 75%-80% of the people in their program are males, due to the high incarceration rates. It has been in existence for 10 years and is in the process of becoming an "Evidence-based" program—a status for which only seven organizations nationwide have been approved. Due to the tough economic times, the organization is having difficulty sustaining funding for this program.

The secondary goal of the calendar initiative is to highlight the outstanding achievements of young professionals in their careers and in the community and to ultimately enlighten and uplift youth to reach their goals and pursue their passions.

The 2009 Seattle's Finest Young Black Professionals Calendar was available for sale in November, 2008 and will be sold until May 2009. All proceeds will be donated to The Royal Project.

This project also leveraged the skills and talents of "Non-Traditional" Entrepreneurs. Photographer Kimberley Ward owns her own company. In addition, the African American-owned LUCID Lounge hosted a calendar release event, where Chapter members provided The Royal Project a venue to discuss its mission and solicit young African American professionals to act as mentors for program participants. It was also an opportunity to discuss the plight of the Black male and how the Seattle community can get more involved with organizations that directly work to provide healthy outcomes for young African American men and women. In return for services, the Chapter promoted their businesses in the calendar.

Cerritos, CA Chapter Hosts Health Education Forum

Members of the Pi Sigma Omega Chapter (Cerritos, CA) co-hosted a Health Education Forum with The G.R.E.E.N. (Gathering Resources to Educate and Empower Networks) Foundation. The purpose of the forum was to gather resources and educate local community members on topics that are important to achieving a healthy well-being.

Over 35 women and men throughout the Orange County community gathered to receive information about breast cancer, diabetes and prostate cancer.

Participants were reminded by Ernesta Wright, a cancer survivor and executive director of The G.R.E.E.N. Foundation, that early detection, regular self examinations and yearly mammograms are essential to early detection and a cure for breast cancer. Dr. Ricardo Parker, cancer scientist, encouraged men over age 40 to be tested for prostate cancer and emphasized that early detection can save lives.

Margie Miles, Pi Sigma Omega president, and chapter members gather with members of The G.R.E.E.N. Foundation at 2009 Health Education Forum

Many attendees committed to sharing the information with their family and friends. They vowed to perform regular self exams and get annual mammograms or prostate exams. Participants were also given pamphlets on the various diseases.

This was the first in a series of forums that will be conducted throughout 2009 in the Orange County community. In partnership with The G.R.E.E.N. Foundation and other organizations, the Chapter has launched an effort to get the message out to men and women regarding these and other health issues.

Palo Alto, CA Chapters Partner with African Ancestry Firm to Identify Roots and Instill Pride in Heritage

Rho Delta Omega and Xi Beta Chapters of Palo Alto, CA recently partnered with African Ancestry, a company dedicated to helping people of African descent trace their DNA and identify their ancestral roots. This partnership furthers Alpha Kappa Alpha's commitment to strengthen the Black family by Expanding Self-Discovery and Pride through DNA and gain Emotional Empowerment. This initiative embraces Platform 3: Economic Growth of the Black Family.

The event was a huge success, drawing over 100 members from Stanford University and the local community. It featured discussion on the ramifications of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, important aspects of the Black experience in the U.S. and ways to transform how African Americans see themselves and Africa.

Gina Paige, genealogist and co-founder of African Ancestry (pictured 3rd from the right) with Stanford University DNA kit recipients.

According to Gina Paige, a renowned genealogist, co-founder of African Ancestry and Stanford University alum, "Knowing where you are from is a very central component to knowing who you are."

Paige also highlighted useful strategies and tools for sharing ancestry information with family members, as well as discussed her interest in and passion for DNA/Ancestry testing, and engaged attendees in discussion of its profound impact on shaping individual identity and personal potential.

Select participants received a DNA kit that included results revealing their ancestral lineage, a printout of their DNA sequence and a Certificate of Ancestry. They were excited and plan to discuss ways to assemble family and friends to unveil results and continue the legacy of scientific education and psychological empowerment.

Many Hands, Many Minds, One Goal-Stopping the Spread of HIV

On November 29, 2008, in recognition of World AIDS Day, the Magic Johnson Foundation teamed up with the Sorority's Mu Beta Omega Chapter and Lambda Omicron Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity to present "Stomping out HIV with Magic." The event provided free HIV testing to communities surrounding the Crenshaw District in Los Angeles, CA. According to the L.A. County Public Health Department, this general area of the city has a statistically high morbidity rate for HIV and STDs among African American and Hispanic citizens.

Mu Beta Omega successfully partnered with the Foundation on an HIV testing event in October 2008. Based on the success of that event, the two organizations decided to try a new and more innovative approach to the 2008 World AIDS Day event.

Throughout the 2008 World AIDS Day event, members of the nine historically black Greek-letter organizations participated in a classic step exhibition.

Mu Beta Omega and Lambda Omicron played a key role in the event. Both chapters gathered other graduate and undergraduate chapters to volunteer and assist with hosting, community outreach, set-up and encouraging African Americans and other people of color to get tested for HIV and other STDs. Each person that received a free HIV test was given the option of free incentives such as an AMC movie pass, Los Angeles Lakers tickets, CDs and t-shirts, courtesy of the Magic Johnson Foundation.

During the event, 112 people received a free HIV test. The success of the event helped demonstrate to the greater Los Angeles community the importance not only of getting tested, but also the important role and significant impact that historically black Greek-letter organizations can play when it comes to HIV prevention efforts.

San Francisco Chapter Establishes ESP Club for Third-Graders

Financial literacy requires an early start. To that end, Delta Zeta Omega Chapter, in San Francisco, CA, established an Earn Save Prosper (ESP) Club for the third-grade class at Daniel Webster School in Daly City. The club meets once a month and has a mascot, a pledge and a song—all related to economics.

Taught on a rotating basis by Chapter members, content for the program is adapted from Wells Fargo Bank and other online financial literacy programs and includes money and banking, earning money, budgeting, saving and uses of money.

The program also includes a field trip to Wells Fargo, a discussion by a bank officer, a tour of the bank and the opening of savings accounts funded by the Chapter.

Parents and caregivers are also invited to a culminating luncheon, followed by a program presented by the students to share their work.

The Grandparents Connection

The strength of the Black community hinges on the viability of the family. Alpha Kappa Alpha's Epsilon Xi Omega Chapter has worked diligently to provide activities that enable, support and provide access to the community to help achieve the economic growth of Black families in San Diego County.

The Chapter partnered with the Grandparent Connection to help provide resources and opportunities for those who are committed to ensuring that their grandchildren are successful. Members of the Grandparent Connection meet weekly at the Tubman-Chavez Center, where they are joined by members of the Chapter who provide mentoring and leadership.

Members of the Grandparent Connection also participated with Alpha Kappa Alpha by marching in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade. The Chapter also encouraged students and parents of College Bound San Diego to volunteer community service hours and make donations to help ensure that the Grandparent Connection received mentoring.

College Bound San Diego, another program, empowers engaged parents, families and students by providing learning opportunities about college readiness, Black history, public speaking, self esteem, community service, career exploration, financial management and the importance of education.