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. 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. Please visit our Project Reassurance website for more information on the program.
Mwanamugimu (Wah-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; 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 and national contests are also held, with winning essays announced at each respective level.
The theme for this year is, “A Portrayal of Little Giants: The Children of Africa.” Please contact your local chapter to participate in the Essay Contest.
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.
OPERATION BigBookBag
A Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority International Project in Partnership with the A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc. 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.
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. Please visit our Project Reassurance website for more information on the program.
Hattie McDaniel Cancer Awareness
Cognizant that African Americans bear a disproportionate burden of cancer — the highest mortality rate of any ethnic group — Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority is committed to providing education on and active support of early detection as well research for the prevention and cure of breast, prostate, ovarian, colon and other types of cancers.
Program for Africa
Working in partnership with Africare, for many years Sigma Gamma Rho 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.
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.
HIV/AIDS Grant Project A34Life
"A National Initiative of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc."
ASK
•For more information about the causes, risks, prevention and treatment for HIV/AIDS
•For the sexual history of your partner(s)
ACCEPT
•Responsibility for knowing your HIV status and reducing your risk
ACT
•Responsibly and in the best interest of yourself, your partner(s) and the needs of those living with HIV/AIDS
For more information about Sigma Gamma Rho National Programs, click here