Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

PROGRAMS

A3 for Life - ACT Against AIDS The Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative (AAALI) is a $16 million, six-year CDC partnership that harnesses the collective strength of some of the nation’s leading organizations to fight HIV in populations hardest hit. The effort brings together a wide range of organizations, including civic, social, civil rights and professional organizations, as well as those in government, education and media. While many AAALI partners have longstanding commitments to fighting HIV in their communities, the initiative provides the critical funding needed to allow each group to make HIV prevention a core component of its day-to-day activities. Each organization uses AAALI funds to support an HIV coordinator who works through the organization’s membership networks to disseminate Act Against AIDS campaign materials and HIV prevention services. AAALI is a key component of Act Against AIDS (AAA) – CDC’s five-year, $45 million campaign to re-engage every American in the fight against HIV by combating complacency, increasing testing, and raising awareness among communities at risk. Project Cradle Care A prenatal education fair and resource program that seeks to improve pregnancy outcomes by increasing the number of women of childbearing age who receive adequate prenatal education and prenatal care and who better understand proper infant care and child development. Project Reassurance As the signature international program for Sigma Gamma Rho, Project Reassurance was originally developed to provide health education, support and nurturing for expectant teen mothers and teens who are parents. The project has now evolved to focus more on Healthy Choices, Healthy Living and Healthy Generations (H3) to help reduce teen pregnancy through a comprehensive year round program addressing the factors that lead to teen pregnancy - low self-esteem, diet and economic issues - while also providing support and guidance when it does occur. Project Wee Savers Project Wee Savers is designed to develop an awareness of various banking facilities and their available services. The goal of Wee Savers is to allow participants to become knowledgeable of the real life skills of saving and buying stocks and bonds, ranging from ages 6 to 18 years. Participants experience the real life skills of basic investing, setting specific goals attainable through monitoring and mentoring of money and activities. OPERATION BigBookBag OPERATION BigBookBag makes available, to selected facilities across the nation, bookbags, notebooks, writing and drawing paper, pencils and pens, dictionaries, thesauri, rulers, glue, construction paper, textbooks, encyclopedia, typewriters, computers and many other needed school items. Made available also is a nation-wide tutoring and mentoring program designed for the benefit of the children housed at said facilities. The effective and overall implementation of OPERATION BigBookBag serves as an invaluable resource to the children by: 1. Affording children with quick and easy access to reference materials and other studying aids and tools that will help them in their educational endeavors 2. Providing the children with the means of completing their homework assignments in order that they may remain current and up -to -date on course projects and requirements 3. Assisting the shelters, centers, schools and hospitals in their efforts to meet some of the educational needs of the children and young adults housed at the facilities. Sigma Youth Symposium The Sigma Youth Symposium focuses on some of the prevalent concerns that negatively impact our youth: drugs, teen violence, abuse, low self-esteem, suicide, teen pregnancy, etc. This annual event is usually held on the second Saturday of March by each Alumnae Chapter. National Marrow Donor Program Established in 1992, this initiative was developed to address and reduce the number of African-American deaths due to a lack of sufficient numbers of race appropriate bone marrow donors. The program focuses on the education and recruitment of sorority member, affiliate and community donors. Usually booths are set up during regional and regional conferences. Hattie McDaniel Cancer Awareness and Health Program Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is cognizant that African-Americans make up a large proportion of cancer patients In addition African-Americans have the highest mortality rate of any ethnic group. As a result, the Sorority is committed to providing education on and active support of early detection as well as research for the prevention and cure of breast, prostate, ovarian, colon and other types of cancers. Buckle Up America A safety awareness program which educates citizens about the life saving importance of seatbelt and car seat use. Mwanamugimu Essay Contest Mwanamugimu (Mwah-nah-moo-gee-moo) Essay Contest The Mwanamugimu Essay contest's primary goal is to provide an opportunity for students to increase their knowledge of the historical and contemporary development of Africa. Its objectives are to provide the target population with opportunities that: 1. Allow structured ways to learn about Africa 2. Heighten awareness of African cultural heritage 3. Improve writing and research skills The project title, Mwanamugimu, is a proverb from the Republic of Uganda that means "from small acorns come mighty oaks." Chapters sponsor local essay contests that usually include awards programs. Regional contests are also held, with winning essays announced at regional conferences. The theme for this year is, “Africa, the foundation of many nations…from Creation to Infinity.” Program for Africa Working in partnership with Africare, for many years Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. has assisted in providing thousands of dollars to purchase grain grinders for African women to help alleviate their back-breaking work. The project focus has now evolved as have the needs to addressing through finances and education HIV/AIDS awareness, education and treatment.