Philanthropy

In the past year, our Gamma Xi chapter has worked to embrace the new national philanthropy, Reading Is Fundamental.  Rather than creating an on-campus fundraiser, Gamma Xi chapter chose to redirect its annual philanthropy event to a more hands on experience. The chapter invited 50 inner city children who participate in a local RIF organization called Stone Soup to visit UCLA for "A Day in the Life" of a college student.  The children learned volleyball moves from the D1 athletes in the house and Bruin cheers from the members on the dance team.  Later, they also played games in front of Powell Library and read in Murphy Hall.  By the end of the day, all 50 kids were holding hands with the girls and shouting UCLA cheers all the way to the bus.    To close the day, the kids went through a mock graduation where they received individualized diplomas, and a backpack full of books and UCLA pencils and folders.  The day allowed them to see and understand what it is to be a college student and through their interactions with actual college students they began to understand that continuing one's education is not only important, but fun! In the spring, a number of Gamma Xi members worked with Stone Soup again to create books on tape packages and in the coming fall we will be giving them Back-to-School goodie bags.  Over the next school year, Gamma Xi chapter hopes to further develop its relationship with the organization and the kids so that we become a recognizable part of their education process.  We will eventually work to have monthly tutoring sessions and hopefully start a pen pal program.  Gamma Xi chapter's "Day in the Life" serves as a fundamental part of the chapters continuing community presence and represents Kappa Kappa Gamma's dedication to philanthropy.

Reading Is Fundamental

Kappa Kappa Gamma's national philanthropy is RIF, Reading Is Fundamental.

The goal of RIF is to prepare and motivate children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to those children and families who need them most. Founded in 1966, RIF is the oldest and largest children's and family nonprofity literacy organization in the United States. RIF's highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8. Through community volunteers in every state and U.S territory, RIF provides 4.5 million children with 16 million new, free books and literacy resources every year. All RIF programs combine three essential elements to foster children's literacy: reading motivation, family and community involvement, and the excitement of choosing free books to keep.

Stone Soup

Our Local Philanthropy is Stone Soup Child Care Program in downtown Los Angeles. Its mission is assure quality care for school-age children that is safe, dependable, and affordable through a managed program of shared resources and goals.

The Stone Soup Program was initiated in 1987 to offer dependable and affordable quality care for children of working single parents and families where both parents must work. Since its creation as an after school safe haven for children ages five through twelve, Stone Soup has grown from 17 children at one school to over 4,000 children at 80 schools. Expansion continues now in age ranges 5 through 13 years with more schools scheduled to open and new curriculum initiatives being added. Nationally recognized as a pioneer in the child care field, the Stone Soup community partnership concept has been replicated in many cities and has a proven track record of sustainability for nearly two decades.