Omna Inc

Programs: The omega men of north alabama (omna), incorporated is a non-profit organization established over two decades ago in madison, alabama with the mission to enhance the lives of the residents of northern alabama. Since its founding in 1994, omna has built coalitions with other civic-minded organizations to strengthen the socio-economic welfare of the local community through activities ranging from mentoring programs to providing a community center where local residents can meet, plan, and execute civic events. We serve the communities of madison, jackson, morgan, and limestone counties and continually seek ways to serve and uplift. During fiscal year 2017, omna fulfilled its mission by providing and supporting community-based programs in the areas of social action, youth development, and positive social interactions. Among the activities of omna were feeding the homeless, youth development, social action, community outreach and scholarships for college-bound students. The annual feeding the homeless has become a signature social action event for omna. Annually, omna partners with a local church, all nations, to enhance the lives of all downtrodden in the month of december. Food, clothing, shoes, and hygiene care are provided inside our community center and all nations provides transportation for nearly all of the attendees. Fortunately, the number of people taking advantage of this civic activity has grown though the years with approximately two hundred families served last year. The sons of royalty (sor) program is omnas youth development program. Omna has partnered with omega psi phi fraternity to help high school aged young men navigate the challenges of life. This program is designed to empower young african american males, ages 14-18, with the tools, skills and preparedness for developing a strategy for success. This program is built upon the principle of strength through family values; thus, all young men must receive concurrence from their parents before participating. Subjects include character building, respect for others, making good decisions, good health practices, good study habits and money management. Currently, ten (10) young men are participating in sor. Omna provided book stipends to all graduating sor seniors 4 total in the amount of $235 each. The annual pan hellenic council picnic 2017 offered an annual social gathering of college educated african- american professionals and their families. The day promotes cultural awareness amidst food and entertainment. This year included voter registration as agenda event item. The event has been held at the omega center in the past eight (9) years in conjunction with the conclusion of the annual sickle anemia walkathon in downtown huntsville. The event served two hundred fifty (300) people. The community watch is a series of meetings of local neighborhood watches. Omna facilitates community watch meetings with local community watch organizations by donating the use of our community center. The community watch organizations, in turn, promote safe communities for viable and active crime free neighborhoods. In addressing the needs of a growing latino community, omna has promoted coming of age ceremonies such as the quinceaera using our community center. Two coming of age ceremonies were held in 2017. These events promote cultural awareness and community inclusion. The annual vietnamese new year fundraiser was held in february 2017. Approximately six hundred (600) people came to celebrate the vietnamese new year year of the rooster. This marked the third year for this fundraiser at the omega center to benefit thousands of orphans, handicapped children and lepers in vietnam. Their lives are desperate because after losing the limbs to leprosy, they can no longer work to support themselves and their families. Without help from charities, the only way they can survive is to become beggars. The annual las vegas night is the largest fundraiser of the local omega psi phi fraternity, inc. These funds are used to award scholarships to deserving high seniors from the local community and to provide an annual donation to the harris home for children. Omna has partnered with omega psi phi fraternity to assist in the awarding of these scholarships annually, approximately $6,500. 00 in scholarships is awarded to deserving youth and the event provides an annual donation of $750. 00 to the harris home for children. Casino style event is held at the von braun civic center during the summer and attracts more than 650 people every year. The monthly meetings and membership educational workshops of the huntsville alumnae chapter of the delta sigma theta sorority are held at the omna community center. The membership of the local chapter of delta sigma theta is approximately three hundred (330) professional women. Delta sigma theta is a public service organization focused upon improving political, educational, social, and economic conditions globally. Their targeted group for their community outreach is young women--mostly youths of color. Many of their programs are designed for this audience as well as other underprivileged, disadvantaged, and underserved members of local communities. Omna partnered with huntsville alumnae chapter delta sigma theta in their stop the hungry drive where 12,000 nonperished meals were package. Omna contributed the building for packing food and donati