Delta Sigma Theta Sorority celebrates 95 years in service, with service

With 95 years in service, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has chosen to celebrate the best way they know how — by doing some good.

On Saturday, Jan. 29, the women of Delta have opted to come together at 9 a.m. to fully stock the Life Turning Point of Philadelphia pantry and freezer with food items to support the women and children the organization aims to help.

Located in Germantown, Life Turning Point provides shelter for homeless women and children for up to 18 months with a Biblical life-skills training program, and also helps out where they can by securing employment and permanent housing.

As they report on their website, statistics indicate that Philadelphia is among the poorest of the largest U.S. cities, with 23.3% of residents living in poverty. The families Life Turning Point serve are single-parent, homeless women with children that come from a myriad of circumstances.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has over 350,000 initiated members and more than 1,000 chapters worldwide, and each chapter aims to help the community in certain ways. The sorority — which was founded in 1913 — has their Philadelphia chapter aiming to align with some of the morals of Life Turning Point.

This Saturday, during the two-hour period, the Philadelphia alumnae chapter will be kicking off their day of service at 5200 Wayne Ave. in the Germantown section of Philadelphia.

This date will also officially kick off a host of service activities and events that will occur throughout 2022 to benefit the community the chapter serves and the young people they support, according to a news release.

“This is our way of celebrating 95 years of service and the rich legacy of the Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter,” said Dr. Penny Sparks Nixon, president of the Philadelphia alumnae chapter, in a statement. “We are excited to launch our year-long celebration of fortifying scholarship, service, and sisterhood by supporting and advocating for women and children in need.”

Since 1927, the Philadelphia alumnae chapter has built a legacy of unwavering commitment to service within their designated service area of Philadelphia County.

“We appreciate that the women of Delta Sigma Theta see the value in the work that we do and are excited about the opportunity that this partnership provides to help women and children in the city of Philadelphia.  I believe this partnership will affect the future of generations,” adds Rita Whittaker, executive director and founder of Life Turning Point of Philadelphia in a statement.

In celebration of the 95th chapter anniversary, Philadelphia alumnae chapter’s mission is to provide continuing support to LTPP to address the unique challenges of women and children experiencing homelessness through the sorority’s community service programs. As Delta states in a release, the sorority understands the benefits to the city of Philadelphia of breaking the cycle of homelessness one person, one family at a time.

For more information on Life Turning Point Philadelphia, visit ltpphilly.org and for more information on the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, visit deltasigmatheta.org.