SISTERHOOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

TAU PSI ZETA SORORS SHARE THEIR STORIES

Domestic violence is prevalent in every community, and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. These victims are both men and women who are being or have been abused by someone who they once thought really loved them.

During 2021 Illinois Domestic Violence Awareness Week, Tau Psi Zeta hosted “Survivors Speak” a virtual segment where three of our brave and finer Sorors, Robbie Jewell, Donyel Hobbs-Williams and Denise Stewart, shared their past experiences with domestic violence. These sorors shared their personal and touching stories with domestic violence and how it has helped change them into the women they are today. Thank you again sorors for sharing your stories.

Attendees walked away touched by the stories shared, informed and motivated to stand up against domestic violence and to try to help those who are in need of assistance. Information was provided regarding available resources to those in need.

In an effort to continue servicing the community, TPZ donated $200 to Mutual Ground Shelter which is a counselling, advocacy, and education shelter that works towards helping families that have been impacted by domestic violence.

LOVE DOES NOT HURT

“At any given moment you have the power to say this is not how the story is going to end.” - Christine Mason Miller

Se r v i c e I S W H A T W E D O !

TPZ‘S SHOE DRIVE SUCCESS

Tau Psi Zeta Chapter partnered with Funds2org, a profit social enterprise and a leading organization in the shoe drive fundraiser business. A social enterprise is for profit or nonprofit which has two key metrics for success: 1) profit; 2) social impact and when you collect gently worn, used and new shoes, you raise money for your organization or group. All shoes collected are re-purposed and get a new lease on life.

From November 23, 2020 through January 23, 2021, Tau Psi Zeta collected gently worn, used and new shoes for women, men and children. Throughout this time period, multiple convenient drop-off locations were available for anyone wanting to donate. By January 23, 2021, TPZ successfully collected, sorted and counted 312 bags of shoes, with 25 pairs in each bag, totaling 7,800 pairs of shoes for the final pick-up. The Shoe Drive Fundraising event successfully profited TPZ with two checks from Funds2org, one for the shoes donated (.40 per lb = $3,022.00) and a bonus for being a first time partner (25% of total = $755.50). THANK YOU to all that participated and made this service project such a huge success!

TOP 3 DONORS Jackie Reynolds -300 shoes Rita Harper -264 shoes Toni Dunlap -235 shoes

Northshore Hospice is a comprehensive program of home based care for patient, family and friends during the final stages of a terminal illness. This is a time when words of encouragement mean so much. TPZ Chapter members have participated in an ongoing “work from home” project making numerous decorative handmade/handcrafted cards to send to the residents of Northshore Hospice. Choosing words carefully, each card is crafted with a few inspirational words such as, “Thinking of You, You are Special, Hi Friend, Sending Love”, etc. Each card is mailed out to the Hospice Volunteer Coordinator who then distributes the cards accordingly.

THANK YOU NOTE RECEIVED

Tau Psi Zeta Chapter’s Service and Social Action Committee provided a little Valentine’s Day love to the residents of Lydia Health Care Center in Robbins, Illinois. Lydia’s Health Care Center has 297 residents who receive long term mental health care services for severe and persistent mental illness. TPZ’s goal was to provide each resident with a “token” for Valentine’s Day, such as a bear, trinket or gift. A total of 886 items were distributed and 96 service hours were completed.

TAU PSI ZETA HOSTS CARJACKING PREVENTION WEBINAR

No one sets out to be a victim of any crime, but by mid-March 2021, Chicago had been hit with more than 370 carjacking which was easily the most seen during the same period in any year since at least 2001. Tau Psi Zeta Chapter was able to secure two guests presenters to host a Carjacking Prevention webinar and provide safety tips. This webinar was open to the public and in the end great information was received and TPZ received so much positive feedback about the webinar. There were 127 people in attendance; 56 Zetas, 5 Amicae and 66 guests. The guest presenters were Chicago Police Officer Tim Davis who has 15 years as a Police Officer within the 005th District where he serves the Roseland/West Pullman Community. Rick Bolton is a retired Chicago Police Officer who has over 18 years in Law Enforcement and 12 years of military service. He also owns a Military Surplus store in Lansing, Illinois called Bunker Military Surplus.

Together the presenters provided a lot of safety and prevention tips and here are a few:

Certain areas make it easy for carjackers to engage with you. Be aware of the following frequent carjacking locations:

 Residential driveways (getting in and out of vehicle)  Parking lots and garages  Gas stations  ATMs  Intersections with stop lights

Be Aware:

 Being rear-ended  Try to park in well-lit visible areas  Equip vehicle with anti/theft equipment  Trust your instincts

Think Ahead:

 Always be aware of your surroundings.

Make it a habit to enter your car, lock doors immediately and drive away.

If you unfortunately do become a victim:

 Give your car up and leave the scene.  A vehicle can be replaced—YOUR LIFE

IS IRREPLACABLE

 Avoid physical/verbal confrontation  Try to remember the suspect (s) description  Call 911

TPZ RECOGNIZES AUTISTIC STUDENTS AS A PART OF ADOPT-A-SCHOOL INITIATIVE

BY soror covonnia jones

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Adopt-A-School initiative allows members of the sorority to aid in providing assistance and resources in a number of ways to enhance the educational experience and increase test scores and grades. Members purchased supplies and/or equipment, provided volunteer hours, assisted with parent engagement programs and worked with administrators to identify needs that may be specific to the chosen school.

George H. Corliss Early College Stem High School located at 821 East 103rd St, Chicago, IL., was the selected school for Tau Psi Zeta Chapter. During the month of April, which is Autism Awareness Month, Sorors and Amicae visited the autistic students that had achieved excellent grades, perfect attendance and doing great overall at the school and their residences. These selected students were provided with $20 gift cards, a Corliss face mask, and a Corliss t-shirt for their achievement even during the COVID pandemic.

Tau Psi Zeta Sorors, Amicae and Youth once again partnered with March for Babies by raising funds and awareness to prevent preterm birth and give more babies a healthy start in life. As one of Zeta’s national initiatives, this partnership not only includes fundraising for March for Dimes, but it also gives TPZ the opportunity to share what we learn about prematurity awareness, healthy births and healthy moms throughout the community served by Zeta’s many chapters across the globe.

TPZ is always ready to answer the call. TPZ placed as one of the top ten Zeta Phi Beta Sorority teams nationally, raising $8,274. Additionally, Zeta Amicae of Alsip raised $2,616 and the Tau Psi Zeta Youth Affiliates raised $1,132.

Thank you again for helping us give all babies a healthy start.

T O P F U N D R A I S E R S

TPZ

Monique Dockery $734 Charlotte Taylor Powers $503 Beverly Lowery $474 Nicole Layton $435 Khalilah Muhammad $347 YOUTH

Angela Grimes $278 Zaria Eberhardt $233 Denise Kyles $170 Secrett Stone-Daniels $108 Latoya Lindberg $30

AMICAE Lennell Flenorl $325 Latricia Myers $295 Katreana Smith $289 Ericka Smith $262 Belinda Lambert $202