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For the past 35 years, in collaboration with the Iota Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. we have made significant impacts in the community through numerous programs that address or fill various educational, health and social gaps created by an everchanging economic environment, compounded over the past two years by COVID. These services include: enhancing educational achievement through tutoring, scholarships, mentoring, assisting with the college application process, and social development programs; encouraging healthy lifestyles through health education and sizeable contributions o various medical research organizations; supporting families in need through the shoe bank, donations to the Lions Club and Soles for Souls organizations and working with the County’s Stand Up and Deliver Program as a paying agent; strengthening our linkage to some of the most vulnerable residents by working with elderly residents at a health and rehabilitation center; and celebrating the arts by exposing our youth to various forms of the fine arts.  We are also continuing to enhance our fundraising efforts by garnering increased support from current and new corporate and private partners.

 

In 2012, Charities purchased a facility in Suitland, Maryland to house our programs of service, known as the lvy Youth and Family Center, which officially opened in the spring of 2015 after significant renovation.  In the spring of 2019, we also purchased the property adjacent to the Ivy Youth and Family Center which will be used to house the Ivy VINE (Village Incubator for Non-profit Excellence). This will be one of two new buildings where we will assist other non-profit organizations achieve their maximum potential through the provision of office space and a smart conference center, which will also house a podcast studio.  In October 2021, we held an official groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start the construction of the conference center for the Ivy VINE.  Today, we are continuing our capital campaign efforts to ensure both facilities get completed and achieve our vision of excellence in sustainable community service and operational needs.

 

In the words of former first lady Michelle Obama, “We’ve got a responsibility to live up to the legacy of those who came before us by doing all we can to help those who come after us. “  I am extremely grateful for the leadership of those who served in this capacity before me, the Board of Directors, the leadership team, members and community partners who believe in our mission, and continue to walk with us on this exciting journey of providing excellence in sustainable community service for all coming after us.  I invite and encourage you to join us as  we continue to leave a positive impact and legacy of excellence in Prince George’s County.