Serving Little Rock, Arkansas Since 1937
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​Community Impact
2015 Go Red for Women Luncheon-American Heart Association
On May 7, 2015, members of Beta Pi Omega chapter attended the Go Red for Women Luncheon at the Little Rock Marriott Ballroom. Chapter members also served as volunteers during the "Purse-onality" Auction & Women's Expo prior to the luncheon. The keynote speaker was Star Jones, former lawyer and legal analyst, who shared her story of heart disease. Go Red For Women is an initiative designed to empower women to take charge of their own heart health. To support this effort, Beta Pi Omega chapter donated $2,000 to the Go Red for Women Campaign.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
On April 11, 2015, Beta Pi Omega chapter members volunteered for the Arkansas Minority and Beauty Shop Health Initiative for the AKA/NAMI Community Impact Day. The Arkansas Department of Health and Office of Minority Health & Health Disparities partnered with local barber and beauty shops in Little Rock and North Little Rock, Arkansas for the community to receive free health blood pressure and glucose screenings as well as information on diet and exercise. Beta Pi Omega chapter members provided information from NAMI on mental health and its relation to heart disease. Health professionals provided information for healthier lifestyles and participants received a free lunch after completing the screenings.
2015 Arkansas Behavioral Center Mental Health Fair
Members of the Health Promotion Target participated in the Arkansas Behavioral Center Mental Health Fair on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Information from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) was provided for the public and health professionals were on-site to speak on mental health issues.
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Broadway Bridge Project
On the third Tuesday of each month, the Family Strengthening Target, in partnership with Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, serves meals to the working poor, homeless, adults and children through the Broadway Bridge Project. Chapter members also collect seasonal wraps such as hats, gloves, scarves, coats in the fall and winter months and sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, sweaters, and light jackets in the spring and summer months. In addition, members collect personal hygiene items, prepare individual kits and distribute to those in need.
A.S.C.E.N.D Signature Program
On March 28, 2015, the students gathered for their monthly session to discuss college and career exploration, testing, communication, public speaking, civic engagement and cultural arts. The students also visited Pyramid Art, Books, and Custom Framing and met and quilter/artist Bisa Butler.
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Community Impact Day
The 1908 Playground Project Community Impact Day was held on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at Dunbar Community Center Park in Little Rock. Beta Pi Omega chapter applied rubber mulch to the playground area, removed branches, pulled weeds, and picked up litter. The City of Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department was onsite to provide supplies and tools for clean-up.
2015 NAMI Walk Arkansas
Beta Pi Omega chapter participated in the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Walk on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at Dickey-Stephens Ballpark in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Team members walked 3.1 miles and donated $1,210.00 to support mental health awareness in the state of Arkansas.
Chapter members are pictured with Kim Arnold (fourth from the left), Executive Director of NAMI Arkansas.
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Central Arkansas Heart Walk
2015 Central Arkansas Heart Walk - Beta Pi Omega chapter participated in the American Heart Association Central Arkansas Heart Walk on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at Burns Park in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Team members walked 3.1 miles and donated $500.00 to fight heart disease. The money raised through the Heart Walk funds research, and initiatives that promote the prevention, treatment and better patient care in the areas of cardiovascular disease, the leading killer in the United States.
AKA 1908 Playground Project
The AKA 1908 Playground Project was launched to ensure children have safe and inviting places to play. Sorority members will restore and renew 1,908 existing community and school playgrounds with its Restore, Refresh and Renew Project. Park improvements include:
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Bleacher Facelift (Painters needed)
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Cleanup of Picnic Area
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Litter Removal
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Refurbish Existing Planters
Sunday Soup Dinner and MLK Day of Community Service
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, participates annually in Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service. Beta Pi Omega Chapter along with Epsilon Phi Chapter and Gamma Alpha Chapter give back to the community by hosting Sunday Soup Dinner and a Day of Service. This year, the three chapters hosted a Sunday Soup Dinner to veterans in the central Arkansas area and the MLK Day of Service was held at the Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club. During each service event, chapters have the opportunity to foster new relationships within the community and impact individual lives through financial workshops and wellness tips.
Annual Ivy Ball - Scholarship
Beta Pi Omega Chapter and The Ivy Foundation of Little Rock host their Annual Ivy Ball in February. This fundraising event provides scholarships to students in the community who have excelled in the classroom, who are engaged in their community, who have strong leadership qualities, and who demonstrate financial need. The Ivy Foundation of Little Rock, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, awards over $10,000 in scholarships to high school seniors and two current students at Philander Smith College and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In March 2013, the foundation provided newly created scholarships in addition to our traditional scholarships. Two high school men were recipients of the Community Service Scholarship, and one first year law student received the Law Scholarship. Last year’s Ivy Ball raised approximately $6,000 and this year our goal is to raise $10,000. At the Annual Scholarship program on April 27, 2014, The Ivy Foundation of Little Rock along with Beta Pi Omega Chapter’s Social Justice Initiative will award a new scholarship to a student who has an incarcerated parent. We are ever expanding our reach.
Safety Baby Showers and Sisters United
As the infant mortality rate for the nation is on a downward trend, Arkansas continues to have one of highest infant mortality rates in the nation. The situation is even more striking among African Americans who account for only 20% of the state's births; however, they make up 33% of the total infant deaths. In an effort to reduce this disparity, the Arkansas Department of Health joined efforts with Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, and Sigma Gamma Rho sororities to develop a community focused initiative called SISTERS UNITED. In 2013, Beta Pi Omega joined SISTERS UNITED, and select members from the health committee began to work with the other sorority members from across the state implementing projects to improve birth outcomes and increase awareness about infant mortality prevention. That same year, the health committee applied for and received a grant from the NICHD to promote Safe Sleep practices. As part of this grant the SISTERS UNITED team conducted three safety baby showers designed for pregnant women, new moms, dad, and grandparents. Attendees received education on home safety, breastfeeding, safe sleep, motor vehicle safety, and the importance of getting a flu shot during pregnancy. Through these baby showers, Beta Pi Omega educated 30 residents of Pulaski county on ways to prevent infant mortality. In addition, SISTERS UNITED trainers have provided educational seminars to over 60 members of the community. They plan to continue these efforts by providing education among churches to give them the tools they need to conduct safety baby showers, thus increasing their outreach to reduce infant mortality among African Americans.