PROJECT ALPHA -- A National Initiative with March of Dimes

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.’s Project Alpha initially began as a program led by the Chicago Brothers of Omicron Theta Lambda, in the late 70s. The collaborative relationship with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the March of Dimes (MOD) Birth Defects Foundation began in 1982. Project Alpha is designed to provide education, motivation, and skill building on issues of responsibility, relationships, teen pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases for young males, ages 12-15 years.

Project Alpha Week, which started in 2000, targets chapters all across the country to execute the program with their local March of Dimes during the first week of November (instead of the second week of October) every year. Project Alpha has been successful in bringing its program to hundreds of communities and over 25,000 teen males every year.

Project Alpha consists of a series of workshops and informational sessions conducted by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity brothers. The three goals of Project Alpha programs are:

·     Sharing Knowledge by combating ignorance and fear with information.

·      Changing Attitudes by providing motivation toward positive changes in sexual behavior.

·     Providing Skills by creating a sense of empowerment and self-esteem.

Program Highlights utilizes appropriate male role models and mentors:

·    Provide education for young men, 12-15 years old, on sexuality, fatherhood and the role of males in relationships

·    Motivate young men to make decisions about their goals and values, and act in ways that support their decisions

·    Build the skills of young men through role-playing through Project Alpha’s Curriculum

XTL (TX) Design

Project Alpha program materials are designed to be used with young men between ages 12 and 15 years old who are enrolled in middle school, high school, or alternative program. However, some chapters have included segments that address the issues of young women as well, with the appropriate role models and mentors. The program attempts to reach younger adolescents before they have established risk-taking behavior that may be difficult to reverse.

 
The Project Alpha curriculum focuses on five key topics:

·         Responsibility, Respect and the Role of Males in Relationships

·         Adolescent Pregnancy and Fatherhood

·         Protecting Yourself and Your Partner

·         Sexually Transmitted Diseases

·         Intimate Violence in Relationships

In January 2003, the March of Dimes launched a national Prematurity campaign to reduce the incidence of premature birth. Premature birth is more common among teens than other age groups under 40. A premature birth is defined as births occurring before the 37th week of pregnancy.

By preventing teen pregnancies, it may be possible to reduce the incidence of illness and disability, which can be associated with premature birth. While every woman is at risk for having a baby early, it is especially important for African Americans to understand the issues because more than 1 out of 5 African American women have a premature baby. A Prematurity module was developed to supplement the Project Alpha curriculum. As Project Alpha delivers its message of prevention, it will also reach families and others in the community bringing more focus to the March of Dimes' Prematurity Campaign. Many Alpha chapters establish Walk America teams, in the spring of the year, to promote and raise funds for this campaign.

Contacts

When setting up a Project Alpha program, there should be a Project Alpha Committee that is lead by an Alpha Phi Alpha Chairperson (also called the Project Alpha Coordinator) and representatives from the Educational and/or National Programs Committee of the local Alpha Phi Alpha chapter. The committee should also include two to three young men from the target audience, a March of Dimes representative and local community leaders from organizations, agencies, and institutions that serve young men in the community.

To find more about your local Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. chapter or about the Project Alpha nearest you, contact:

Byron Gautier, National Project Alpha Coordinator

2620 Atlas Drive, Missouri City, Texas 77459

281-748-1646 or projectalphacoordinator@hotmail.com

or

Gwen Carmon, National Director Volunteer Initiative, March of Dimes

1275 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606

914-997-4465 or gcarmon@marchofdimes.com

Finally, chapters must complete and submit the Project Alpha Conference Report Form to meet benchmark requirements, and appropriate credits.