OPBSI’s 2022 efforts include a Month of Action, including a Dominican Republic expansion spearheaded by OPBF leading up to International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women on November 25th
NEW YORK, NY — September 27, 2022 — In the lead-up to the International Day for the
Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25th, Ray of Hope, an initiative of Omega
Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (OPBSI), in partnership with the Omega Phi Beta Foundation (OPBF),
announces an effort to fundraise for 11 beneficiaries around the country that directly impact
the community along with an international event in the Dominican Republic.
This year’s theme Local Action, National Impact, focuses on supporting a wide range of
organizations – from reproductive justice to mental health support to 24-hour crisis support to
gender-affirming care to workplace violence – shedding light on the complexity of the issue
and on the need to support organizations doing work that has resounding impacts on a
national scale. In the last 11 years, we have convened 10,000+ people, worked alongside 120
partners and raised $102,500 – and this year, we are excited to build on this work. Donations
to the efforts can be made on the Ray of Hope fundraising page.
“The power of our work sits at the intersections – from the attacks on women’s reproductive
autonomy to the persistent violence on college campuses to the transphobic attacks on Black
trans women to the refugee crises that disproportionately impact women and girls – seeing all
violence as interconnected means ours work must be as well,” said Michelina Ferrara, Board of
Trustees member of Omega Phi Beta. “By partnering with community-based organizations
across the country, we follow the lead of people on the frontlines working toward safety,
autonomy and liberation for all our sisters, siblings, and community members.”
2022 Partners:
● Collective Power for Reproductive Justice, Massachusetts
● Fearless! Hudson Valley, New York
● House of Ruth, Maryland
● M.U.J.E.R. Florida, Florida
● Partnerships for Trauma Recovery, California
● SEPA Mujer, New York
● The Afiya Center, Texas
● The East Los Angeles Women’s Center, California
● Transcend Charlotte, North Carolina
● Vera House, New York
● Women4Change Indiana, Indiana
In addition to these 11 partners, we have expanded internationally to the Dominican Republic
with La Fundacion Para El Desarollo de la Ninez y la Juventud de La Zona Suroeste de
Santiago, via the partnership of OPBF’s Planting Seeds Project.
“In recent years, sexual violence has escalated in the STEAM field,” stated Jessica Saul,
Executive Director/Chair of OPBF. “According to “500 Women Scientists”, ‘71% of women field
researchers received inappropriate sexual remarks, 26% of women field researchers reported
experiencing sexual assault, and 40% of women of color reported feeling unsafe in the
workplace.’ As an organization, we stand with OPBSI at the forefront of making sure young girls
and women around the world are protected, especially in the area of STEAM.”
Through deep collaboration, the Ray of Hope will be bigger and bolder this year – in impact
and reach. Take action with us!
→ Sponsor the 2022 Efforts
→ Corporate Matching Programs
→ Attend an Event
→ Donate
Partners
New York
Fearless! Hudson Valley
“Fearless! mission is to build an informed, just, and accountable society so all people can experience
supportive and safe relationships free from abuse, exploitation, and oppression. We do this by education,
prevention, advocacy, and providing comprehensive services, including shelter, to victims and survivors of
interpersonal violence, human trafficking, sexual violence, and other types of crime victimization. We
now are the only private, not-for-profit agency in Orange and Sullivan Counties in NY dedicated to
assisting survivors of domestic violence, teen dating violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking by
providing free and confidential services.”
SEPA Mujer
“SEPA Mujer, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been working to support immigrant
women on Long Island since 1993 by bringing together community members and advocates to speak out
against injustice, provide access to opportunities and services, take a stand against domestic violence
and other abuses, and push for social change. We work with individuals and in partnerships with other
organizations (immigrant rights, civil rights, and domestic violence based). Our objective is to raise and
unite our voices to be heard by social and political systems in our communities. Through our work, we
strive to nurture and improve civic engagement by way of leadership skills and legal representation.”
Vera House
“Vera House is a non-profit organization that provides support services to victims and survivors of
domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse in Onondaga County. To prevent abuse before it can
begin, Vera House also provides the community with vital primary prevention education designed to
break down harmful norms that can lead to abuse.”
Massachusetts
Collective Power for Reproductive Justice
“A unique movement-building organization, Collective Power for Reproductive Justice, runs national
programs that educate, train and support new generations of activists and leaders.
Through paid internship programs, annual conferences and a national leadership development and
movement-building network, Collective Power prepares people to work on the front lines of today’s
struggle for reproductive justice. Collective Power envisions a world centering liberation, inclusivity and
joy, where the lived experiences of everyone reflect that reproductive justice is a basic human right.”
Maryland
House of Ruth
“House of Ruth Maryland leads the fight to end violence against women and their children by confronting
the attitudes, behaviors and systems that perpetuate it, and by providing victims with the services
necessary to rebuild their lives safely and free of fear.”
North Carolina
Transcend Charlotte
“Transcend Charlotte provides free mental health, social and social support services to transgender,
gender diverse and gender questioning youth and adults (18±) in NC & SC. We provide name change
workshops, case management, peer support groups and more. Transcend’s mission is to “pursue equity
and social justice for transgender and gender expansive communities.” Through our partnership with the
Carolinas CARE Partnership, we are able to provide additional services like onsight HIV/STI testing and
expanded mental health and housing support.”
Florida
M.U.J.E.R. Florida
“MUJER is a one-stop domestic violence and sexual assault center. Currently, three (3) key agencies are
located at the Center: MUJER, Dade Legal Aid, and VIDA Legal Assistance, each providing key services at
no cost to DV/SA victims/survivors including: Care Coordination & Case Management, Crisis Intervention,
Advocacy for Victim Rights, Accompaniment for legal and medical services and a 24/7 Sexual Assault
Phone Helpline.”
Indiana
Women4Change Indiana
“Women4Change Indiana convenes individuals and groups to improve the quality and quantity of civic
learning in Indiana and equips citizens with the information needed to care for their communities in
constructive ways that will enhance the State.”
Texas
The Afiya Center
“The Afiya Center (TAC) was founded in response to the increasing disparities between HIV incidences
nationwide and the extraordinary prevalence of HIV among Black womxn and girls in Texas. We have long
recognized that change can only occur when looking at the systemic and environmental concerns that
position Black womxn to experience health disparities at higher rates than other individuals. TAC is
unique because we serve as the only Black reproductive justice organization in North Texas. We
intentionally prioritize our affinity to serve Black womxn, girls, femmes, and transgender/gender
non-conforming people (TGNC) throughout the state, consistent and unapologetic in our quest to
advocate for Black womxn in Texas. We act to ignite the communal voices of Black womxn resulting in
our full achievement of reproductive freedom.”
California
Partnerships for Trauma Recovery
“PTR is dedicated to addressing the psychosocial impacts of human rights abuses among refugees,
asylum seekers, and other international survivors. We do this by (a) providing trauma-informed and
linguistically accessible mental health care and case management, (b) conducting community outreach
to mitigate stigma around trauma and mental health, (c) providing professional trainings, and (d) engaging in policy advocacy efforts to address the root causes of trauma.”
The East Los Angeles Women’s Center
“The East Los Angeles Women’s Center is a leading voice and advocate for survivors and their families
affected by sexual, domestic, and intimate partner violence, HIV/AIDS, and the intersection of
homelessness. ELAWC delivers innovative, comprehensive, culturally-responsive services that build on a
foundation of trauma-informed, evidence-based practices designed to heal, support, protect, and
empower the communities we serve. Working in collaboration with our partners, we also foster the implementation of policies and practices that support social justice and human rights.”
About Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
“Omega Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated (OPBSI) is a Greek-lettered organization committed to spreading the Awareness of Violence Against Women. The mission of OPBSI is to serve and educate people of diverse backgrounds through sisterhood, leadership, and guidance. As positive role models, we promote unity of all cultures, focus on the empowerment of our gender, and raise the standards of excellence in our academic, social, and personal endeavors. OPBSI envisions a world without oppression, where empowered women celebrate the essence of womanhood and act as resources in the advancement of their communities.”
For more information, visit: www.OmegaPhiBeta.org
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