Chapter Implementation of Program Initiatives

Through the years, Theta Epsilon Omega remains steadfast in its efforts to uphold the creed - to render service to all mankind - by sucessfully sponsoring meaningful service programs for the Greater New Haven community.  

Stay tuned for new programs we will implement under the new 2010-2014 International Program Theme - Global Leadership Through Timeless Service.  Theta Epsilon Omega will work SMART to accomplish each initiative:  Strategic planning and implementation, Measurable objectives, Attainable goals, Relevance to current needs, and Transferable for enhanced impact. 

Here are just some of the programs Theta Epsilon Omega Chapter has sponsored in previous years.  For a complete list of programs and for additional information, please e-mail programs@akanewhaven.org.

Emerging Young Leaders

The Emerging Young Leaders (EYL) program develops the skills and talents of middle school-aged girls (grades 6, 7 and 8) in the Greater New Haven area.  The increasing demands of the twenty-first century mandate our youth to be better leaders at a younger age, making smart choices with positive consequences.

Middle school is an incredibly crucial period as impressionable young girls deal with issues such as becoming a teenager, parental and peer relationships, hormonal changes, body development/image and the media.

Young women accepted into the EYL program already have the potential for becoming leaders in their community.  This signature program of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. strives to release that potential and develop life-long skills by providing small group workshops in:

Education

Each year, Theta Epsilon Omega gives substantially towards scholarships, book awards, and other educational services through the United Negro College Fund, the Dr. Susan M. Lincoln Nursing Scholarship at Gateway Community College, the Emma Ruff Short Story Contest at James Hillhouse High School, the Ivy AKAdemy at Wexler-Grant Community School, and the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Conference.

Also, each year, Theta Epsilon Omega awards four-year scholarships, totaling up to $4,000 per student, to high school graduates.  Scholarship applications are available by February of each year.  Click here to read more about our scholarship program.

Health

Theta Epsilon Omega attributes its first-rate health programs to the numerous chapter members in health services professions.  The Health Committee provides various health and emotional wellness programs for the community.

In 2005, Theta Epsilon Omega initiated the TEO-SPIRIT Health Initiative through a three-year Health Disparity Grant in the amount of $75,000 funded by the Connecticut Health Foundation.  This initiative explored health disparities among professional women of color and designed programs to address the unique needs of this community.  Though the funding ended in 2008, TEO-SPIRIT Health Initiative had a tremendous impact on the members of Theta Epsilon Omega and the Greater New Haven Community. 

Through the Healthy Diva Challenge, which was initiated by the TEO-SPIRIT Health Initiative, we lost pounds and inches, gained muscle, changed food choices, walked thousands of miles, lowered blood pressures, and diabetes became more manageable.  In addition to our physical health, we addressed our mental health and we are more insightful of the connection between exercise, food and our mental well-being.  We documented the positive changes in our attitudes and behaviors regarding health and fitness.  We also collaborated with many community and business partners like Balance Fitness Center for Women, Uzima Wellness Center, The New Haven Public Schools, Dixwell-Yale University Learning Center, and Dr. Ian Smith and "The 50 Million Pound Challenge." 

Economic Empowerment

In 2007, Theta Epsilon Omega launched Ivy Finance AKAdemy as a strategy to improve the financial literacy and education of the community.  Partnerships with various institutions such as People's United Bank and McCarter & English LLC brought subject matter experts to a series of workshops such as Estate Planning, Retirement Planning and Investments, Home Buyer Seminar, and Youth Financial Literacy.

AKA Connection

Theta Epsilon Omega is a nonpartisan organization, but individual members have actively participated in politics on all levels of government.  Each year, the chapter participates in AKA Day at the Capitol, various letter writing campaigns, a robust voter registration drive campaign, and various voter education workshops.

The Black Family

Theta Epsilon Omega engages in many activitities to uplift families.  The chapter delivers food and other necessary items during the Easter and Christmas seasons, sponsors an annual coat drive in the Fall, and participates in a National Family Volunteer Day community service project.

We honor and spend time with our seasoned saints at the Ella B. Scantlebury Senior Residence in New Haven with a fun night of BINGO.  Young men are reached through the Male Mentoring Program, which features workshops in basic manners, dining etiquette, how to tie a necktie, and an annual conference, Building and Empowering Powerful Men.

Theta Epsilon Omega Monetary Donations

Here are some of the organizations we proudly support:

• The Connecticut Food Bank
• AIDS InterFaith Network
• St. Andrew's Church
• Wexler-Grant Community School and the Drama Club
• Children in Placement
• AMISTAD America
• Local branches of the NAACP
• Emergency Shelter Management Services

Keeping the needs of our community in mind, each year, we carefully plan our program calendar.  Yet, we always take time to renew ourselves and re-energize our commitment to our sorority with regular sisterly activities that include an annual Retreat, Sunday worship, walking clubs, book clubs and game nights.  We attribute much of our chapter's growth in numbers over the years to our ability to balance serving others and ourselves.