MENTORING PROGRAM

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Upsilon Omega Chapter
Community and Civic Affairs
Chairman—Leon Ashford

Omega Manhood—The Omega Squires

The Purpose of the organizations is to offer a forum for young black men to develop a positive self-concept/image, leadership skills and positive opportunities for social and community service activities.

• a)Members total 49
• b)The Squires have a formal structure, which are elected officers, weekly meetings and planned activities. New members are accepted into the organization by a majority vote of the membership only after they have attended a number of meetings and have participated with the members in at least one community service project.
• c)Membership is open to persons in the 8th grade through the 12th grade. Members may maintain their membership after graduating from high school, but are not eligible to hold office.

Activites of the Squires

• Eleven Squires attended a Teen Summit and other activities at the Millennium Hotel, March 2002.
• Four Squires served as ushers at the Black Repertory Theater. The show was written and directed by two Omega Men from California, April 2002.
• Four members attended a Cardinal baseball game with the Rhoers, which are a group of young ladies sponsored by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, April 2002.
• Nineteen Squires attended a Teen Summit at the Kappa Center.
• Other groups in attendance were the Kappa Leaguers, The Delteens, the Rhoers and other high school students, May 2002.
• Fifteen members attended a semi-pro basketball game at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Six members gave a Step performance, May 2002.
• The Squires marched in the annual Annie Malone Children’s Center parade. Six members helped the Omega men at a concession stand, May 2002.
• Six Squires served as ushers at the Black Repertory Theater, June 2002.
• Five members attended a Boys to Men Conference at the St. Louis Science Center and Art Museum in Forest Park, Jun 2002.
• A presentation of HIV and AIDS was given for the members by two staff members who work with the St. Louis Efforts for AIDS. The male presenter was Bro. Duane Gill. He was joined by Ms. Simone Phillips, June 2002.
• Six members served as ushers at the Upsilon Omega Rhapsody in Black Concert. The annual event raises money for the Omega Scholarship program, June 2002.
• Ten Squires attended the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Inc. Youth Leadership Conference in Charlotte, NC, July 2002.
• Eleven Squires participated in the Youth Rally at the Black Expo. Topics included the importance of education and positive self-concept. Seven Squires gave a Step performance, August 2002.
• Fifteen members were workers for Habitat for Humanity, August 2002.
• Seventeen Squires and four sponsors were guests of the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Team. They had an opportunity to meet and talk with the players before the game. They were given tickets to buy food before or during the game, August 2002.
• The Squires were engaged in an educational activity where they were placed in small groups, to read and critique newspaper articles. Each group had to report their results to the entire group, September 2002.
• The Squires had to write one-page papers on various subjects. They were required to read them before the entire group. October 2002.
• The Squires participated in the Community Science Day activities at the St. Louis Science Center. They had a table that displayed pictures that showed the various activities of the organization. There was also written materials and information about the organization available for people to take. Several Squires did Step performance. September 2002.
• Nine members attended the Rhoer Club’s Romance Pageant and Banquet at Andre’s Banquet Center, December 2002.
• Each member brought 2 can goods or $1.00 for the Upsilon Omega Chapter’s food drive, December 2002.
• A few members attended the Martin Luther King Awards Program. They entertained the audience with a Step performance. The event was sponsored by the Martin Luther King St. Louis Support Group, January 2003.
• Five members gave a Step performance at the St. Louis Science Center. The event was the Minority Science Show Case, January 2003.
• The members were asked to write a one or two page paper on a not so well known black person. The assignment was in recognition of Black History Month. The researched information was shared with the entire group, February 2003.
• Ten members volunteered to clean and help paint the Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club, March 2003.
• A reception and information session was held for the Squires and their parents/guardians. The event took place at the Rams Park in Earth City, MO, March 2003.
• Eleven Squires are preparing along with other young men, to be escorts for the young ladies taking part in the Ariya (rites of passage) sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. St. Louis Alumnae Chapter. April 2003.

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