African-American sororities around the country are branching out into community services, tutoring African-American students to pass proficiency tests, providing cultural and social activities, becoming mentors and adopting families, schools and entire communities.

        Most of the interest has been generated by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.'s ONTRACK Program.

        ONTRACK stands for organizing, nurturing, team-building, respecting, achieving, which add up to knowledge.

        The program was started three years ago to reach 20,000 at-risk school kids by the end of 2002.

        At Xavier University, the 10 members of Rho Psi Chapter of AKA have adopted Winton Montessori school in Winton Place.

        “It is a great opportunity and very rewarding to be involved with a school,” said Sherese Warren, first vice president. “We go to the school two hours a week. Once we check in, we are assigned to ... different classrooms. We help in tutoring, help with projects and help the students to study for the proficiency test.

        “We involve them in some kind of activity at least twice a month,” she said. “Some of the children come from a background where they do not have role models. When we talk to them about high school and college, you can see their eyes light up. This is very rewarding.”

Danielle Goodwin, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, and Rochelle Johnson, a reading specialist, pass out pizza at Winton Montessori School. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

        The Phi Psi Omega Chapter of AKA, a graduate chapter, has adopted the Woodlawn, Forest Park and Lincoln Heights communities and a family in Lincoln Heights through the Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church. It has also adopted Cameron Park Elementary in Forest Park.

        “We looked at areas outside of the city of Cincinnati and saw that there was a sizable population of African-Americans,” said Kimberly Saxon, chapter president.

        The group was just chartered as an AKA chapter in January after providing services in its target area, which was a requirement.

        The 34 members operated as the Cultured Pearls Interest Group before receiving a sorority charter, Mrs. Saxon said.

        “A representative from the national chapter reviewed our work and approved us. We have now 43 members,” she said.

        She said the chapter will conduct its first fund-raiser, a jazz brunch and silent auction featuring the William Menefield Quartet, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 8 at the Marriott Hotel, West Chester.

        Funds will go to the Lincoln Heights Health Center Building Fund.

The chapter has provided book bags and educational supplies to children in Haiti, provided tutors at the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati's Center of Excellence at Quinn Chapel AME Church, and provided volunteers for an American Red Cross CPR training program.

        The group has assisted at Quinn Chapel's Minority Health Fair for two years, and sponsored a booth at the Annual Woodlawn Family Days Festival.

        “We donated clothing to Cincinnati's Dress for Success and participated in the AKA Coat Drive and Africare project,” Mrs. Saxon said. “We provide tutors and mentors at Cameron Park Elementary School as part of the ONTRACK Program. The main emphasis here is helping the students pass the proficiency test.”

        The Lambda Mu Chapter of AKA at Miami University adopted an entire family to help reach the goal.

        Kristel Herzog, first vice president, said the 19 memberstutor and mentor the six children of Brenda Churchman, a single mom.

       Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.
       
       

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