On
Saturday, local Phi Beta Sigma brothers including members of the Graduate
chapter, Theta Beta Sigma, undergraduate brothers from the collegiate
universities, as well as young men of middle school to high school age that are
active in Phi Beta Sigma’s youth development group, the Sigma Beta Club, built
with NOAHH for the Jones Family, whose home they sponsored, in the Upper Ninth
Ward. Many of the participants are natives of the Ninth Ward and were
significantly affected by Hurricane Katrina.
“As a current resident of New Orleans and student at the LSU School of Medicine
here in New Orleans, the prospect of sponsoring and supporting the recovery
effort as a Fraternity further demonstrates the commitment we share for one of
our most fundamental ideals, and is an opportunity I felt was paramount in
uniting the local brothers towards a common goal we can all agree on,” stated
Jason Ewing, Phi Beta Sigma member. “Further, the idea behind letting the
city know we are participating in this project is to demonstrate to other organizations
in the city that it is never too little or too late to contribute time and
effort in servicing a community in such need. Whatever the success of
this initial volunteer day may be, I am taking personal responsibility to
ensure that our commitment to the rebuilding of our city remains at the
forefront of our minds, and future workdays at this Sigma house, and others,
will be looked into in the weeks and months to come.”