In July, Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired hosted a combination of seven Delta Gamma Fraternity students and alumnae for a week-long learning experience.

This event, Hope Serving, was held from July 10-14 at the Children’s Center Campus and involved a deep, rich agenda with a spirit of service. Hope Serving is a service-learning experience that offers Delta Gammas the opportunity to develop as leaders on a local, regional and international level.

The Hope Serving program encourages learning and critical thinking through hands-on service, community involvement, civic and social justice education. These trips can be extremely transformative experiences for women. Activities at CCVI for the DGs included an in-depth tour, a blind etiquette seminar, a blindfold session, classroom time, information on programming, and a walkthrough of nonprofit leadership.

These women from chapters across North America will go back to their local universities as better advocates for individuals with visual impairment and ensure that career paths related to CCVI services are promoted as a viable future occupation.

The nation is experiencing a critical shortage of certified Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs), which means that reaching students currently enrolled in higher education quicker and more effectively has never been more important. Opportunities like this work to embed our mission in these chapters by creating leaders with a mindset for service.

“The topics we’re talking about here are things I’ve always wondered about and how I should be more inclusive with our Delta Gamma national communications,” said one DG on the first day of the event.

Delta Gamma Alumnae Chapter of Greater Kansas City was a founding body for CCVI in 1952 and has continued to engage with our organization for our 70 year history.

By creating several family teams in the CCVI Trolley Run and hosting the Delta Gamma Night of Knowledge and Nonsense in the winter, they continue to serve as active community members.

“I have so many ideas to bring back to my chapter and a new appreciation for service,” said one DG. “As someone going into education, I have found new paths at CCVI in special education that pique my interest.”