| National Service Projects Commitment to the World Community GREATER SERVICE, GREATER PROGRESS |
 |
 |
|
| Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., gives leadership, service, and resources toward removing barriers and inequalities so that all people of America may develop their potential and exercise full citizenship. Through support of human rights legislation, service to and support of grass roots individual and community development activity, and through active participation in the programs of affiliate and other organizations, we are committed to working to improve the quality of our lives and the society we serve. Sigma Gamma Rho, in its quest to expand its area of service, actively participates in the sponsoring of national and international programs designed for the improved welfare of all people. These include, but are not limited to: |
| Project Reassurance The care and protection of children is, first and foremost, a family concern. But when teenagers have babies, the consequences are throughout society. Children born to teenage parents are more likely to be of low birth weight and to suffer from inadequate health care, more likely to leave High School without graduating and more likely to be poor, thus perpetuating a cycle of unrealized potential. Conducted in partnership with the March of Dimes, chapters sponsor Workshops and other activities that assist pregnant teens and educate teen mothers about the importance of pre-natal and post-natal care, and to better understand infant care and child development. |
 |
| Mwanamugimu (Wah-nah-moo-gee-moo) Project The Mwanamugimu Project is an essay contest. Its 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; and (3) improve writing and research skills. The project title, Mwanamugimu, is a proverb form 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. For more information about The Mwanamugimu Project in your area please contact the International Chairperson, Dianna Davis-Bailey at [email protected] |
| Program for Africa A program to provide African women -who produce more than 75% of the food grown on the continent- with grain grinders. Providing thousands of dollars to buy grain grinders for African women to alleviate their backbreaking work, this program is in conjunction with Africare. |
 |
| OPERATION BigBookBag A Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority International Project in Partnership with the A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc. It has been recognized that due to a limitation of capabilities, resources and manpower, some homeless shelters, crisis centers and extended care hospitals are not conducive to "studying and learning" on the part of school-aged children who are housed at the facilities. Thus, many of these young boys and girls experience educational problems, which may lead to an overall decline in their academic achievement. With this concern in mind, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., through its nation-wide thrust of OPERATION BigBookBag, entered into partnership with the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Inc., to address this issue. Sorority and Shrine members make 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 through the efforts of both memberships 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 and (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. |
| Project Wee Savers This project 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. |
| Sigma Youth Symposium Sponsored in conjunction with and in commemoration of Sigma Week, 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. Held on the second Saturday of March by each Alumnae Chapter, simultaneous Sigma Youth Symposiums address issues that affect teens today. |
 |
 |