OPBSI’s Ray of Hope Announces $22,000 Raised for Organizations Working to End Violence Against Women in Our Communities

OPBSI’s 2022 efforts included 29 events during a Month of Action, including a Dominican Republic expansion spearheaded by the Omega Phi Beta Foundation
 
NEW YORK, NY —December 15th, 2022 — Ray of Hope, an initiative of Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (OPBSI) in partnership with the Omega Phi Beta Foundation (OPBF), announced today that it has raised $22,923 in support of 11 community organizations combatting the effects of violence against women around the country. 
 
This work is urgent. 45% of women reported that they or a woman they know has experienced a form of violence (U.N.), and trans women are experiencing alarming rates of violence. These statistics call for intersectional approaches to this pervasive problem. Support will go to providing necessary program materials to young people and families, sustaining mental health care services for survivors, keeping 24/7 emergency hotlines running, and transportation for vital reproductive health care.
 
“Our community continues to show that this work is about showing up. The work to end gender-based violence must center survivors and people most impacted by violence. This work must be rooted in a commitment to our collective liberation,” said Michelina Ferrara, Board of Trustees member of Omega Phi Beta. 

2022 Impact
  • 29 events during Month of Action, including expansion to the Dominican Republic, 50 letters of support to incarcerated survivors, 11 educational events, six community circles, self-care and diaper collection drives, and an art exhibition.
  • $22,923 raised by our members, alongside sponsors, partners, and our national networks.
  • Collaboration with 11 nonprofit partners across the country and two organizations in the Dominican Republic.

“This year’s Ray of Hope Walk has made a profound impact in our local communities, which spanned eleven regions and two countries. We were proud to support ROHW and engage our Planting Seeds Project initiative in the Dominican Republic, where a mini-walk was held in Santiago, D.R., in October. In addition, we expanded the initiative to include sponsorship of la Marcha de las Mariposas National walk in Santo Domingo, D.R., in November. We envision a world free of violence and will continue to fight to support women’s rights. We look forward to broadening the impact to countries in West Africa and South America next year,” said Jessica Saul, Chair, and Betty Diaz, Vice Chair of Omega Phi Beta Foundation 
 
In the last 11 years, the Ray of Hope has convened 11,000+ people, worked alongside 130 partners, and raised $125,400. This initiative is a culmination and a reflection of OPBSI and OPBF’s deep commitment to ending violence against women in all of its forms. 2022 partners include Collective Power for Reproductive Justice (Massachusetts), Fearless! Hudson Valley (New York), House of Ruth (Maryland), M.U.J.E.R. Florida (Florida), Partnerships for Trauma Recovery (California), SEPA Mujer (New York), The Afiya Center (Texas), The East Los Angeles Women’s Center (California), Transcend Charlotte (North Carolina), Vera House (New York),  Women4Change Indiana (Indiana) and La Fundacion Para El Desarollo de la Ninez y la Juventud de La Zona Suroeste de Santiago, via the partnership of OPBF’s Planting Seeds Project.