Our Philanthropy
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS
1 IN 4 WOMEN AND 1 IN 9 MEN ARE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Since 1992, Alpha Chi Omega has dedicated its philanthropic mission to helping survivors domestic violence. Alpha Chi provides its chapters with the opportunity to help survivors of domestic violence within our local community. The Kappa Sigma Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega has partnered with the Hattiesburg's Domestic Abuse Family Shelter (DAFS) to provide support for the women and children at their home. Our philanthropy provides both financial and physical support to DAFS through annual fundraisers, regular visits to the shelter, and donation drives.
Our goal is to bring light to domestic violence and create a movement that helps people see the bravery and strength of the survivors, instead of their pain. As the Kappa Sigma Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega, we strive to raise awareness and spread light on all those who have experienced domestic violence by our service to our philanthropy.
FRENCH FRIES & ALPHA CHI'S
Our fall philanthropy event is called "French Fries and Alpha Chi's," in which the Kappa Sigma Chapter sells tickets to USM students, family members, friends, and community members for a meal that includes french fries and ice cream floats. All proceeds go to our local Domestic Abuse Family Shelter, and we hope to bring awareness to the topic of domestic abuse amongst our community.
RED CARNATION GALA
Our "Red Carnation Gala" is our signature philanthropy event that takes place in the Spring each year. The Gala is a free event for all university and community members, family, and friends to attend. At the Gala, we raise money for the local Domestic Abuse Family Shelter through donations, meal tickets, t-shirt sales, a silent auction, and sponsors. Companies that chose to sponser our Red Carnation Gala will be showcased during our fashion show. During the show, other members of fratnerity and sorority life at Southern Miss model clothing and apparel from our sponsors. Additionally, we provide educational information on the topic of domestic violence at our event. We enjoy getting to see our community support our philanthropy in this way. It is one of our favorite events of the year!
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS WEEK
Each year in February, Kappa Sigma participates in Healthy Relationships Week. During this week, we organize events and prgramming around Southern Miss to engage in necessary conversations about healthy relationships. Having difficult conversations about abuse in relationships is important, especially on a college campus. We are known for passing out "Love is..." pins to students and allowing them to write in what love is to them. Also, we annually hold a banner painting event titled, "These Hands Don't Hurt," where we allow students to place a painted hand print on our banner to pledge against domestic violence. Getting our fellow classmates and friends involved in our philanthropy is one of the reasons we have thrived so much in the last sevenyears at Southern Miss. We love to see the impact of our advocacy, and we love being known for our philanthropy, domestic violence awareness.
