Physical and Mental Health
The Amarillo Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
Inc. has been involved in breast health awareness programs for
several years. The chapter serves on various committees and boards
that provide education and outreach programs on breast cancer
education and awareness. Members serve on the board of the Amarillo
Unit of the American Cancer Society. Each year the Amarillo
Alumnae Chapter participates in the Susan G. Koeman Race for
the Cure. The chapter has also worked with the Amarillo Area
Breast Health Awareness Coalition in organizing outreach programs
for African American and other minority women. Amarillo Alumnae
members assisted the coalition with organizing luncheons and
style shows and in educating the community about breast cancer
and breast health issues. Experts in the field of breast cancer
present education and awareness workshops during the program.
The models were breast cancer survivors modeling the latest fashions
as their experience with cancer was shared with audience. In
2003, the Amarillo Alumnae Chapter began its own annual wellness
program. During the wellness program, experts present information
on health issues such as breast health awareness, hormonal therapy
replacement, depression, HIV/AIDS and diabetes. A brunch and
style show is presented and the event is held at our Black Historical
Cultural Center . Our theme is Celebrate Life…Looking Well – Feeling Well.
DELTA YOUTH GROUP
Over 20 years ago, the Amarillo Alumnae Chapter
organized the Delta Youth Group. The Delta Youth Group was created
to provide mentoring to youth in middle and high school. The
Delta Youth Group offers cultural enrichment, volunteer opportunities
and educational programs such as making choices that promote
a healthy lifestyle. The chapter promotes academic excellence
and offers tutoring in areas such as English, math and science
to help students improve their grade performances. The senior
students of the Delta Youth Group are provided an opportunity
to raise funds for academic scholarships. The seniors are also
presented in a beau and debutante program each spring. We also
take the seniors to visit a college campus such as Texas Tech
University during spring break.
The primary goal of the Delta Youth Group is to increase cultural enrichment, improve academic performance and to provide opportunities for leadership and service.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE
We support programs in our community on HIV and AIDS through AWARE, a local agency that provides assistance and outreach to individuals with HIV and AIDS. For our International Day of Service, we provide food and supplies for the AWARE food and non-food pantries. We entered into a letter of agreement with AWARE and we will be responsible for referring people who are HIV positive to AWARE for case management services. The letter of agreement will serve as a link to establish services for individuals who are HIV positive.
SOCIAL ACTION
Our Social Action Committee
is on the move and highly motivated. We are a chapter that takes
pride in networking with various social agencies within the Amarillo
community. Our Social Action Committee developed and designed
a pamphlet listing social agencies in our community that provide
assistance with housing, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, care giver
issues, food and clothing and recreation for youth, among many
other resources. We distribute the pamphlet in churches, shelters
and community centers to reach those who may be in of need social
services. The pamphlet also provides information on the 211 Texas
phone system, which provides access to federal, state, and local
agencies that provide social services.
