As a part of its community service initiatives, the Nassau, Bahamas Alumnae Chapter (NBAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated donated over 70 business suits, blazers and dresses to the students at PACE Foundation.
The results from a drive which began this past summer, the sorority members also presented the school for teen mothers with donations of jewelry and seven pairs of shoes.
While addressing the young women, the sorority women acknowledged that while life may hit you hard, it’s how you react that defines you.
The chapter’s president, Tara Johnson, said “You always have an opportunity to steer your life in any direction. Keep dreaming and achieving no matter what.”
The local chapter played a pivotal role in building a foundation for the PACE program to become what it is today by advocating for and mentoring the first class of young mothers into adulthood.
PACE is an intervention program that offers basic education, while teaching young women how to care for themselves and their babies, including protecting themselves from sexually transmitted diseases and infections, birth control and offers psychological support. For the most part, PACE provides the only means in which a teen mom can re-enroll into high school and earn a diploma.
“Women have left this, and similar programs, and went on to graduate from college and become doctors, business professionals and so on. (So) keep moving forward,” Johnson said.
She also encouraged the young women to “reach back” after they’ve benefitted from the program.
Principal, Jackie Knowles thanked the membership for the gift and challenged them to return to the school to assist with resume writing and job placement for the young ladies.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is a public service, not-for-profit organization that was founded to promote academic excellence, social change and community development. An act exemplified by its 22 collegiate founders at Howard University; an act that continues through its over 400,000 membership that represent 1,500 collegiate and alumnae chapters around the world.
Pictured: PACE Foundation principal, Jackie Knowles (right), NBAC's Program Planning and Development Committee Chair, Khashan Poitier and chapter member, Lyndee Bowe (left)
