Warner Robins Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. provides donations addressing community needs

WARNER ROBINS – The Warner Robins Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. donated various products to the Lindsey Student Support Center and the Houston County Board of Health to help address needs in the community.

During the Houston County Board of Health meeting on Jan. 9 the sorority donated two women’s bikes, helmets, lights, safety vests and air pumps. Funds were also donated to support the Houston County Department of Public Health’s CARE Reentry Wellness Program and the Reentry Act. The money will go towards being able to provide round trip Ubers for those in need of transportation.

Physical and Mental Health Committee Chairwoman LaPrell Todd said the program helps people released from the Houston County Detention Center. They are given the opportunity to go to the health department to receive a wellness check, physical, mental health services and a meal.

Todd said during the sorority’s community assessment they found a need for transportation, which is why the chapter focused on transport needs from the detention center to the health department and back to homes. The chapter also provided bicycles for those who found a job but don’t have a way to travel safely.

“One of our goals is to support the overall physical and mental wellbeing of women and girls. We are making sure that women who are released from the detention center they have the items that they need to get to and from their home. With the transportation piece, we are connecting that to the community needs assessment the need for transportation,” she said.

After that meeting, the sorority went to the Lindsey Student Support Center, where they donated personal hygiene items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, body wash, deodorant, lotions, underwear, socks and sanitary napkins and liners.

Todd said the support center, a community partner, was a natural choice for the donation. The sorority’s strategic plan includes partnering with organizations to offer opportunities for women and girls in low-income communities. She shared they were inspired to donate the items to empower women and girls’ mental health, physical health and well-being.

“We donated those items so we could make a huge impact on Houston County. We give those items to help alleviate any physical or any mental stress they have for not being able to get some of those things and we provided those items to help with the greater good of the community,” she said.

Todd said the sorority has always given back and served the community. Whenever they see a need, they also try to provide the things there is a need for. Chapter President Rosalind Mitchell said the sorority focuses on particular areas in the community where there is a greater need, revealed by the sorority’s needs assessment.

“That’s a major focus area, the empowerment of women and girls,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell also said aside from focusing on physical health and exercise, they have also noticed a great need for mental health.

“We are really focused on trying to incorporate mental health as a major component of our physical and mental health committee and initiative,” Mitchell said. “We focus on it holistically in the community but especially focusing on women and girls who are coming up having a self-esteem issue and maybe coming from homes where they don’t have support of both parents. They just need to be empowered as they navigate through school; to know their worth and feel good about themselves.”

In regard to the CARES Wellness and Reentry Program, Todd said a lot of times people get into situations and are not sure how they got there. She shared any time a person is released from a detention center or jail, it is always good for them to know there is support available. She wants them to know they will be there to help in a positive way and help them get back on their feet by giving them the resources they need.

The resources include helping with employment, wellness checks and providing someone to talk to. 

“It’s extremely important that we advocate for those who don’t really have a voice and can’t advocate for themselves. It’s important that we provide resources and direct people to the right direction to get the things that they need,” she said.

Todd hopes the donations will help alleviate lack of accessibility. She said the community knows about the Lindsey Student Support Center and they will be able to go there and get those donated items; if a student doesn’t know about it, school staff can point them in the right direction.

“We’re just fortunate that we’ve been able to help contribute to the Lindsey Student Support Center about providing the items that we provided, such as the personal hygiene items,” she said.

The Warner Robins Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. was chartered on March 4, 1989. Mitchell shared 23 of the sorority members lived in the local area and saw the need for intentional and organized service and community outreach, which is what the sorority focuses on.

The chapter serves not only Houston County but also Bleckley and Pulaski County. Mitchell said they make sure they address the greatest needs of the community, and they try their best to help bridge the gap.

Mitchell said over the years they have awarded over $200,000 in scholarships. Each year they award scholarships to graduating high school students within their service area. She said they do this to assist them with their entry into their college endeavors.

Mitchell also shared their annual scholarship gala is the main source of the monetary support and scholarship enabling sponsorships. She said they have been in the area serving in this capacity for over 35 years and they recently celebrated their chapter anniversary.

The sorority has also helped women veterans organizations by establishing housing and furnishing. Mitchell said the chapter members work hard all the time, even when they don’t receive recognition.

“This is just the type of service that our sorority does, and we were just so glad we could have a local chapter here in Warner Robins so we could provide these services and community outreach initiatives as well as provide scholarships to our community,” she said. “We’re always looking for opportunities to partner and to bring greater good into the community as our community continues to grow.” 

To find out more about the Warner Robins Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. visit their website. To keep up with the sorority visit their Facebook page.