In response to a rise in youth violence and gang activity, Kappa Upsilon Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. started a mentoring program for young men. Fraternity brothers Darryl Curtis and Milton Dilligard, who run a recreational track and field club in Burlington Township, started the ground work for the club as a way to keep young boys out of trouble. We said, “We need to have something so we don’t lose the kids that we have,” Brother Curtis said. The Sigma Beta Club was founded in October 2006 with 38 members. The men of Sigma help develop strong values, leadership skills, a love of learning, social responsibility, cultural awareness and pride within these young men of their community.
The club members elect officers and hold regular monthly meetings at the Kennedy Center in Willingboro or at the Willingboro Public Library. Brother Dilligard said members of the club participate in athletic contests, social events and community services projects. He said the club has hosted many speakers, one of which has taught the members the importance of job etiquette; including what to do at an interview. Bro. Dilligard said the idea was to prepare the older members for summer job interviews.
Both brothers said they already are seeing positive changes in the members. One of their events was to attend the Philadelphia National College Fair. As the chapter’s Director of Education Bro. Dilligard felt this would be a great outing to help our members a better understanding of what is required to attend college
The assignment for each member was to visit at least 5 colleges that they thought they would like to attend. They had to ask the college presenter at least five questions about the college and report back their finding at the next Sigma Beta Club meeting. Many members were able to locate colleges that don’t require students to take the SAT however a 2.5 or better GPA is required for admissions.
Parents were asked to attend this event but not to assist in the questioning. Many of our parents were pleasantly surprised by the reports given at the next meeting by the members.
“It’s pretty fun. You get to hang out with your friends. You get to talk about community service,” said member A.J. Salley, 15, of Burlington Township. “It’s cool to be a part of something that’s a group, but not a gang.”
Besides having a membership dues the members are taught how to set-up and run their own fundraisers. For the past two years the members have put on a Skate Party at the International Sports Complex in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. The management enjoys having the Sigma Beta Club hold function there as it shows that today’s youth can do positive events within the community.The club voted to spend some of its fund-raising money on a trip to New York City, along with its fraternity mentors and parents, for a tour of Ground Zero and other landmarks.”
Without any influence, the members voted to take on several community-service projects including running a food drive at Thanksgiving, donating toys to First Way Children’s Center and donating baby items to a local shelter for teen mothers. The members say it’s nice to be part of the club.
Drive with the Christian Caring Center-Pemberton, Inc.
Sigma Beta Club and the Christian Caring Center-Pemberton, Inc. members
Toys for Tots with First Way
Diapers for Babies with the Crossroads
Some of the guest speakers that have visited these young men were the Buffalo Soldiers
Vai Sikahema, sports director/anchor for NBC 10 News (WCAU Philadelphia)
The members also attend chapter events as well like the Founder’s Day Breakfast
There is fun time as they interact with their Sigma Chapter, in a friendly game of Football
Like the fraternity, the Sigma Beta Club only admits new members at certain times of the year. The group holds an information session for young men between the ages of 11-18 in September and will begin taking new members in at that time. However, if someone knows of a young man in need of a mentor, the club’s doors are always open.
“We try to keep the parents involved as it helps to build better relationships and understanding of our member’s home life as we work together to raise our young men to be Strong well rounded adults.
