National Programs:
“Go To High School Go To College”
This program has been a part of the Alpha Sigma Lambda repertoire since it’s inception as a national program. This has been a collaboration of the Chapter and Alpha Merit to mentor and tutor young African American males in the class room and at our fraternity house. One of the more recent programs has been to take our program directly to the school, and in this case, we have adopted A. Maceo Smith High School in which we meet with male students once a month to discuss topics such as: staying in school, peer pressure, college life, how to balance studying, independence as well as family life.
Every two years we sponsor a college fair that brings in colleges and universities from the surrounding area to meet and provide students with material and information regarding the institutions.
“Voteless People is a Hopeless People”
A staple program of the Chapter, and has brought about opportunities to partner with the community and other Greek organizations. This past spring we partnered with the Dallas Delta Sigma Theta Chapter to hold a voters registration drive in the middle of our annual March of Dimes/March for Babies. In the past we have partnered with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at Minyard Food Store in South Dallas.
We also have sponsored a political forum for local candidates running for office in the Dallas area. This past forum brought out 25 candidates, many were running for Judge. This past election resulted in all the Democratic judges winning the seats from sitting Republican judges.
“Project Alpha”
Is a way of giving back to the community through mentoring and family values. The first two weekends in October of every year are set aside for our Project Alpha program. Through our Alpha Merit Group and chapter brothers, we teach safer sex, abstinence, and an array of other health and family issues to over 30 young African American men.
“March for Dimes/March for Babies”
This has become a staple event for Alpha Sigma Lambda. We annually attend the “kick off” breakfast with the support of a table from the chapter, and have set goals for the past 3 years that have doubled our contributions. We lead the Dallas area Alpha chapters in donations, and this past year we rose over $4,500. We annually participate in March for Babies by renting a tent, having a cookout, and providing on-site voter registration.
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Dallas”
This has been a challenge for us due to our Alpha Merit program. But during the past 2 years we have invited representatives to our chapter meetings to speak on the merits of being a big brother. We now have 5 big brothers in our chapter, and we are now a part of the development program that recruits big brothers through local barber shop recruitment.
Partnerships throughout the Community
African American Museum – Music Under the Dome
A monthly collaboration project in which we co-sponsor Jazz and refreshments at the African American Museum. This is an event that helps the museum become more visible in the community and gain new membership.
City of Dallas and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center
This is the setting for one of our signature programs that is held on the Saturday before the MLK holiday. The MLK Candlelight Program is a collaboration between the Chapter and the Board of the MLK Center, and brings in the entire community to celebrate the life of Brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which is widely publicized by the local TV and print media.
Mothers Against Teen Violence
This is a local community organization that assists families in dealing with violence against teenagers.
Bikes for Tikes
We collaborated with the Bikes for Tikes founder to assist in the clean-up and refurbishing of bicycles which are given away during the holiday season.
African American Museum & the A. Maceo Smith Brunch
A collaboration with the Board of the African American Museum in which we co-sponsor the community based awards program. This event annually recognizes leaders in the areas of Education, Business, Community Service and Religion. Brother Ernest Wallace received the award for Education in 2008.
Food and Toy Distribution with local Agencies
Each year, during Thanksgiving and Christmas, we have worked with a local agency to aid families in distress and bring some joy to their lives through the distribution of food baskets, as well as, toys and clothing.