Building the Future: Project ENRICH Dives Into 2014-15 with New Parents' Club

Bro. Lawrence Dukes works with the freshmen

For many years, parents have been the backbone of Gamma Pi's monthly Project ENRICH program.  They are the ones who have taken on the sometimes thankless task of waking their sons and daughters up early on a Saturday morning, encouraging them to put on their best outfits and then convincing them to ride to Bowie State University for Project ENRICH sessions that begin at 9 a.m.

In many cases, parents have had to pitch the "hard sell" (better known as "arm twisting") to the young high school students who, like anyone else their age, would rather be doing anything else on a Saturday morning besides something academic. Let's face it. Who would not want to sleep in on a Saturday morning? But thanks to the dedication of these parents and their commitment to the program, Project ENRICH is able to attract a large following and every Saturday the smiling faces are seated in their places ready to learn and absorb, looking to the future.

Parent Aimee` Pressley, Bro. Brett Blake (left)
 and parent Kevin Thomas discuss the new Parents' Club 

For this reason, Project ENRICH Director Bro. Willie Hines and the leadership team have set a goal this year to get parents more involved in planning and executing the program. To that end, the first session for the 2014-15 year held on September 27 at Bowie State was highlighted by the formation of a new Project ENRICH Parents' Club. Mrs. Aimee` Pressley has volunteered to be the inaugural leader for the group. She will be working with Bro. Hines and parents to shape the agenda and build a program that will help move Project ENRICH forward. Another parent, Kevin Thomas, has volunteered to lead fundraising efforts for Project ENRICH.

"Project ENRICH has is turning the corner with respect to parental support. Thanks to Bro. (Brett) Blake for leading the parents club effort and obtaining the excitement and support which will propel us to a new plane," said Bro. Hines."We are still recruiting and looking to make a difference in the lives of our students."

Project ENRICH Director Bro. Hines chats with students

Public speaking is a big component of Project ENRICH. And Saturday's first session included student introductions as a first step to helping them develop their own "elevator speech." In addition, students got to work with their team leaders and participated in a group activity about what attributes are needed to be effective learners in the 21st century. 

"Our next session is October 11 and this will be a very special session for parents who have children in the 9th through 11th grades." said Bro. Hines. "Dr. Ezeze, founder of Future Quest, Inc. will present 'Selective Colleges, Who Gets In and Why'. This presentation is directed at parents and our goal is to fill the room with parents for this presentation. More information to come with respect to this presentation."  A tour of the U.S. Naval Academy is planned for October 29.

More information about Project ENRICH, including online registration information, can be found on the website: www.projectenrich.org

You can also follow project ENRICH on Social Media: (www.facebook.com/projectenrichprogram) and Twitter (@projectenrich)

Below, Bro. Blake addressing parents in video clip from Saturday September 27:

Youth Learn About the Life of a Veterinarian During Recent Que Kidz Dayz Saturday Session

By Bro. Kevin Greenwood

Que Kidz youth enjoy a healthy meal

The Que Kidz event on Saturday, September 20th was a success as there were a total of 15 students that took part in the Social Action Program.  Several of the Que Kidz Committee Brothers exhibited UPLIFT by generously donating several games of Scrabble, Junior Scrabble and Memory. All in all this may have been one of the most exciting programs we have had this year due to the overwhelming participation of the students..


The morning started with a nutritious breakfast of turkey sausage, waffles, fruit and milk, while the Brothers engaged the students in conversations regarding current events and world topics. Once breakfast was complete we arranged the students up in groups of four to participate in several games of Scrabble. Not only did the kids exhibit enthusiasm while formulating words, they also displayed their math skills by managing their own score cards, which required multiplication and addition. The games forced each child to use their own creativity and many were surprised at how well they performed. At first the Brothers were not sure if the kids would be excited about spelling words, but our kids are exceptional and they enjoyed every minute of it! This goes to show that learning can be fun and exciting!

Bro. Greenwood with kids

The second activity consisted of basic soccer drills and fundamentals. There were several Brothers who were soccer aficionados in their younger years and they led a very thrilling clinic for the kids. The kids received roughly sixty minutes of exercise, which is consistent with Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” health initiative. Although time didn’t permit a full scrimmage game, the kids still had a great time learning how to dribble, pass and move through obstacle courses with the balls. Our next Que Kidz Days health activity will be an extension of Saturday’s event, which will consist of a soccer scrimmage and a continuation of the drills and activities.

Gamma Pi Chapter’s very own veterinarian, Dr. Harrison Foy, surprised all of us by stopping through after one of his last animal visits for the day. He allowed the kids to board his state of the art mobile Veterinarian office, spoke to every child about animal health and offered words of inspiration. Many of the kids were excited about the surprise visit and there was at least one that kid that mentioned he wanted to be a Veterinarian just like Dr. Foy.

Bro. Damion Goins watches over free play

Before lunch started, we gave each student a lesson in hygiene by showing them how to properly wash their hands before meals. We discussed the importance of cleaning properly and how that will prevent germs that cause common colds and illness.



Lunch consisted of fresh, homemade vegetable soup and tasty tuna fish sandwiches prepared by our culinary wonder, Bro Darryl Thompson. During lunch the kids gave feedback of their experience for the day and the sentiment was extremely positive.

To cap off the day the students were able to memorize the first four lines of one of our beloved fraternity poems, See It Through by Edgar Albert Guest.

Overall, our kids learned about soccer, Scrabble, hygiene, animal care and how to continue to persevere “when you are up against a trouble”. Photos and video clips by Bro. David White

Man that food sure was good!

Below are a couple video clips:

All-Expenses Paid Trip to Upcoming NFL Game and Flat Screen TV Given Away at Friendship Charities Public Drawing

When the 2014 professional football schedule hit the streets this summer,. many people circled the Monday night game between Dallas and Washington on Monday night, October 27. After all, these two teams have one of the longest standing and sometimes most bitter rivalries in the history of professional football. Any time they play, it is a classic battle! Another reason thousands of people in the DMV circled the date for that game is the winner of Prince George's County's Friendship Charities Foundation, Inc.'s fundraising raffle that began over the summer, would receive an all-expense paid trip for two to that game! 

On Saturday night, September 20, the winner was announced. Congratulations to Maureen Beaupre, of Annapolis, whose name was pulled during the charity's public drawing held before a big crowd at J'Ollie's Restaurant in Lanham, Md. She wins a trip for two which includes airfare, lodging and transportation to and from the game at the new Cowboys Stadium. Last year's grand prize winner was from Bowie.

The second place drawing for a 50-inch flat screen television was also conducted at the same time and the winner of that perfect-for-football-season hardware was Melita Gibson, of Capital Heights, Md.

The Winning Entries!!!

About 50 people packed an area of J'Ollie's Saturday night for a helping of food, drink and college football that led up to the drawing. In addition to officials from the charity and members of Gamma Pi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., who frequently partner with Friendship Charities on community projects,  numerous sisters from the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority were also present for the drawing, including Maryland State Delegate Asiha Braveboy, who is a Sigma Gamma Rho member. In fact, Sigma Gamma Rho members contributed to the raffle by drawing the winning tickets from the barrel. William Scott, of the foundation and of Gamma Pi chapter, was the emcee for the evening.

Thanks to the sisters from Sigma Gamma Rho!

Friendship Charities, Inc. is a Federally recognized 501 (c) 3 corporation chartered in 2005. The foundation focuses on improving the socio -economic, health, and educational vitality of is advantaged and disenfranchised citizens throughout Prince George’s County, Maryland. From working with young children and families, to programs for our cherished seniors, to initiatives that help build and maintain communities, Friendship Charities is committed to uplifting local communities through pulling together people and resources that can make a difference.

Friendship Charities is a hands-on and grassroots organization — not stepping back or standing back, but rather reaching out and engaging in projects that address real needs and change real lives and can show measurable results. The organization's motto is,“Strengthening Communities Through Uplift.” Learn more about this charity and its work by visiting its website. Photos by Dr. Ed Chappelle, DDS, of Gamma Pi chapter.

Back to School: Gamma Pi Leads Successful Communitywide Backpack Giveaway

Bro. Orlando McDowell addresses the crowd

The Kentland Community Center off Pinebrook Avenue in Landover was packed this morning. Moving around inside the facility was tough. You could not go very far without accidentally bumping into somebody because there was so much activity and so many people -- both students and parents.

For the youth in the Kentland community, the community center was the place to be on this Saturday morning, and yet, there were no entertainers or athletes anywhere to be found. So what accounted for all the energy and the buzz? It was all about Back-To-School and the backpack and school supplies giveaway coordinated by Gamma Pi chapter's Social Action Committee along with Sisters4Sisters,Inc.,  just in time for the start of school this upcoming week.

"The Ques Are Coming"

The Ques from Gamma Pi after a hard day's work

In the Kentland community, when they see the Ques coming, they know something good is about to happen.The arrival of Gamma Pi is always eagerly anticipated. For this event, the Super Chapter joined forces with two other organizations.  The Sisters4Sisters community organization were joint partners on the backpacks and supplies and the Tau Delta Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority sponsored a Voter Registration Drive and a school clothing drive in conjunction with the backpack event.

The community center was a beehive of activity as more than  200 children and parents came through to get free backpacks and accompanying supplies -- from pencils and pens to composition books,  portfolios, folders, glue sticks, crayons and more.  It was much needed in Kentland, a community facing stiff socio-economic challenges that often leave children behind educationally and socially. The Kentland center is the site of Gamma Pi's monthly Que Kidz Dayz enrichment program for underprivileged youth in the area. About 40 Gamma Pi Brothers participated in the event.

"The majority of our back pack recipients are from poor families who cannot afford the required clothes, shoes, or basic supplies for the new school year. Many are too ashamed and embarrassed to go to school and if they do attend classes, they don’t have the tools to learn," said Sisters4Sisters in a statement prior to the event. Sisters4Sisters, Inc. donates back packs to underserved children in poverty along with those whose lives have been impacted by HIV-AIDS and those residing in those in area domestic violence safe houses and homeless shelters. The president, Carolyn White-Washington, added at the close of the backpack drive::"Sisters4Sisters is happy to partner with the Brothers of Omega Psi Phi as well as Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. These organizations are really coming together to change the community."

Bro. Sgt. Boone talks hoops with student

Educating the Community

Today's event was about much more than just backpacks and school supplies. It was an opportunity for the community to gain knowledge on some other related "you-need-to-know" issues. For example, the students heard about the importance of setting and achieving academic and other goals for themselves as they progress in school. 

The youth also heard from three Gamma Pi chapter members who serve in law enforcement agencies in Prince George's County and Washington.D.C. In light of the recent Ferguson, Mo incident, the officers used the opportunity to talk with the youth about their jobs protecting the community and why the youth should not fear the police, who are there to help.

Students in a long line to pick up supplies

The dialogue with officers Tommie Boone (Social Action Chairman, Prince George's police sergeant), James Chatmon and Robert Akouko (both Metropolitan D.C. police officers) was very enlightening and led to some excellent questions from the attentive youth. Bro. Boone, recently promoted to sergeant, is also president of the United Black Police Officers Association in Prince George's County. Bro. Chatmon is also a sergeant.

The backpack giveaway also included a pizza party, mini carnival with popcorn, cotton candy, face painting and a mini-parent workshop.

The success of the program at Kentland on Saturday was the culmination of several years of Gamma Pi investing in and building strong relationships with the community through its QueKidzDayz program. A number of the youth picking up backpacks were from the program and were familiar with the Brothers and their work in the area over the years.

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Officers Chatmon, Akouko and Boone

Posing with Zeta Phi Beta and Sisters4Sisters


Zeta Phi Beta Getting Out the Vote!