Zeta Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is a Greek sorority dedicated to service to all mankind. The national mission statement is “Global Leadership through Timeless Service.”
The chapter has six program initiatives that guide the members in service nationally and to the local community.
Emerging Young Leaders — The chapter works with about 20 young women at Rochelle Middle School to help them increase their leadership skills. Provided are workshops, such as Girls’ Horizons in Science and Engineering, and Embracing Healthy Living.
The EYL celebrated National Arbor Day by planting flowers and a tree. They participated in many community service activities, such as Grandparents Day and EYL Toys for Tots. They attended a National Science Center and N.C. A&T State University tour. One member was selected to attend the Regional Conference in Richmond, Va., to participate in an EYL Leadership Seminar. AKA had seven young women to graduate from the program this year as they entered high school.
Health — A “Foot Care Seminar for People with Diabetes” was presented in March. The sorority participated in Relay for Life by volunteering to serve at the Survival Banquet, giving a $1,000 donation and sponsoring a team to participate at South Lenoir High School. Sorority sisters were a part of the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon on June 1. In addition to pledging money from the sorority, members also contacted people at home and in other communities to pledge. The group also participated in American Diabetes Alert and Light Up Lenoir Healthy Living programs.
Global Poverty — Members of the sorority have volunteered more than 387 hours of service at Mary’s Kitchen with the Wednesday Crew. They also have donated food and funds. The sorority was involved in the Backpack Buddies program sponsored by First Baptist Church on Rouse Road by providing food and volunteer service hours. AKA provided funds to help serve food at the Friends of the Homeless Shelter as well.
Chapter members worked in their garden spot and the community garden most Saturdays as a part of the collaboration with the Common Ground program spearheaded by Lee Albritton. Produce was donated to the community. They also donated to Heifer, an international Hunger Program.
AKA supported The Gate Outreach Program by providing an HBCU Awareness Program and providing refreshments. The sorority participated in the Angel Tree Program by donating Christmas gifts to children of the incarcerated.
Economic Security — Three workshops have been provided to the community — “Home Ownership-Achieve the American Dream,” “Baby Steps to AKAnomics Securities” and “Girls’ Horizons in Science and Engineering.”
Social Justice and Human Rights — AKA collected donations of personal items during the sorority meetings to give to various groups. In partnership with the Lenoir County Department of Social Services, they donated a luggage set to a foster child in April. In May, they partnered with the Young Women’s Outreach Center and participated in their “Teen Fest.” Several members attended AKA Day at the Capital to present political views from our community. They participated in the cell phone donation program for the local Battered Women’s Shelter.
Internal Leadership Training for External Service — AKA members participated in leadership training so that they are better able to serve the community.
AKA participated in the Martin Luther King Birthday Celebration, sponsored by NAACP, working as hostesses and with voter registration. The group is part of the Adopted-A-Highway program.
These are the community services completed since January 2012. Many of the activities will be continued in the upcoming months and new ones will be implemented. AKA’s Zeta Omicron Omega Chapter is proud to serve the community in as many ways as possible.