Z-HOPE

Since 1987, Nu Psi Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has developed and implemented various programs, some through key community partnerships, to improve the human condition among our target populations. As members of the Blue & White family, we understand that service to the community is our greatest and most important legacy. In addition to supporting the education of our young through scholarships and auxiliary groups, serving the elderly and partnering with the March of Dimes, here are some of our current national and local Signature Community Service Programs:

From the Sorority's inception, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has long demonstrated an interest in serving the needs of the community. Spanning the Sorority's nearly thirty-year partnership with the March of Dimes to its relationship with the Human Genome Project, Zeta Phi Beta has been at the fore of anticipating the ever-changing needs of society.

It is within this framework that International Grand Basileus Barbara C. Moore proudly introduces the new International Service Initiative for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.: Z-HOPE: Zetas Helping Other People Excel TM. "Since 1920, our national service programs have evolved to meet the critical societal needs of the time," said International Grand Basileus Moore. "This administration has identified some key areas of concern as part of our programmatic thrust, and all of our efforts will be consolidated under the banner of Z-HOPE."

What is Z-Hope?

Z-HOPE is an interactive, holistic and multidimensional outreach service initiative designed to enhance, cultivate and empower participants to develop health promoting lifestyle choices across the lifespan. Z-HOPE builds on the Sorority's legacy of service by offering a service initiative that addresses the mission-critical needs of a shifting population.

Z-HOPE will facilitate age-appropriate program implementation in the 500+ communities served by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority's chapters and affiliates around the world.

Z-HOPE promotes community collaboration by encouraging Zeta chapters to partner with existing community organizations and resources to provide optimal quality programs. Z-HOPE provides Zeta chapters with a comprehensive training manual that targets program development to meet the unique cultural needs of the African-American community and persons of color.

How does Z-HOPE work?
Z-HOPE uses a holistic and multidimensional approach to program implementation. The multigenerational and gender specialized initiative contains programs and activities optimized to meet the needs and challenges of each group. Z-HOPE focuses its efforts within five major populations (women, youth, seniors, men and international women) and is designed to address the whole person via a holistic framework that focuses on the three key elements of life (mind, body and spirit):

Why Z-HOPE?
When one reviews the "State of Black America," it is evident that there still is much work needed to eliminate health disparities. In spite of America's technological advances, Black America still continues to experience more preventable diseases and ills in disproportionate numbers. There is no dispute that one's physical, mental and spiritual health impacts one's ability to work, live, love and just exist. Z-HOPE focuses the collective Zeta service efforts "upstream" by increasing awareness and prevention, thereby decreasing or lessening the impact of these preventable health issues. The goal of Z-HOPE is to empower people to become active partners in improving the quality of their own lives by providing information and knowledge in a digestible and usable format.

What are the Z-HOPE programmatic elements?
Z-HOPE responds to the "State of Health in Black America" by creating programs and activities that provide the knowledge of and tools to address the Healthy People 2010 ten leading health indicators:

Physical Activity Substance abuse Injury & Violence Obesity Responsible Sexual Behavior Environmental Quality Access to Health Care Tobacco Use Mental Health Immunization

Z-HOPE uses this context to create a database of over 60 events, programs, collaborations, partnerships and activities subcategorized by generation, gender and holistic focus that will be implemented by Zeta chapters around the world to affect change and continue to build on Zeta Phi Beta's legacy of service.

What are the objectives of Z-HOPE?
Z-HOPE is an outreach service program that has six primary objectives, corresponding measures of success and a mechanism for chapter recognition. The primary objectives are:

To provide culturally appropriate informational activities according to the Z-HOPE program format

To foster collaborative partnerships between community organizations with shared goals

To promote the opportunities for expansion in Stork's Nest programs

To facilitate community service and mentorship opportunities for members of the organization

To provide an equitable chapter recognition program for community services rendered

To provide a standard reporting format to concentrate efforts and demonstrate the organization's impact What are some representative Z-HOPE programs? Z-HOPE contains programs and activities as varied as the people benefiting from them. The Z-HOPE approach to program implementation enables chapters to narrowly target specific programs based on population to achieve maximum impact. A small sampling of Z-HOPE program elements:

Z-HOPE for Women addresses depression, domestic violence, responsible sexual behavior, money management, eating disorders, addictive behavior and nutrition.

Z-HOPE for Youth includes physical activity, reading book clubs, goal setting, career planning, and crime prevention.

Z-HOPE for Seniors addresses literacy, personal safety, chronic illness, deferred giving and advocacy-care givers activities.

Z-HOPE for Men focuses in part on prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, parenting skills, and domestic violence.

Z-HOPE for International Women includes supporting women's and family groups, providing financial aid and other resources and empowering them to identify and implement solutions to problems in their communities.