Our flagship program is the Saturday Self-Development Academy (SSDA). This group mentoring program works with males and females 8 to 18 years old from the Virginia Pennisula area covering Hampton, Newport News, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, York County, and Williamsburg-James City.
The program meets September through June twice each month. The mentees participate in a range of activities. The framework of the SSDA is built on strengthening association circles and decision-making processes.
Connection means spending time together, sharing and helping each other feel valuable
Inclusion means making sure no one feels left out. Inviting everyone to play, talk or join in
Respect means treating others the way you want to be treated. Caring about other’s feelings
Compassion means being kind and helpful when someone else is hurt or having a hard time
Love means we use or words and actions to show that we love and appreciate them as humans
Empowerment means helping others feel strong, smart and confident by encouraging them to be great
Support systems
Foundational relationships
Monetary resources
Choices, decisions, and the ability to live life on your terms
Vision and goals
Guiding principles and beliefs
Our Chapter’s health and wellness goals are to raise awareness, provide access to health care and give health information that will ultimately promote behavior change resulting in a healthier lifestyle. We partner with corporations, foundations, and other nonprofit organizations to promote preventative health strategies and provide education on prevalent diseases that negatively impact African Americans.
Our Health and Wellness Committee, works with other synergistic organizations to develop strategic partnerships to raise a collective voice to help increase awareness and provide health education to mitigate chronic conditions and diseases that plague the African American community.
Our community service initiatives help our mentees grow not only as individuals but as engaged citizens. We provide community engagement that cultivates purpose, empathy, and leadership.
