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The 2005 North Central Province
Guide Right Program of the Year
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Here are a few highlights from our Guide Right Program |
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As the New Year begins, the Guide Right Program will begin a new chapter in the mentoring of the young men in the East St. Louis community. We have done so well with the young men that have been in the Kappa League the past two years that we have decided to expand our program and our vision. We will begin hosting Guide Right meetings at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Boys & Girls Center (JJK Center) this month. We believe that this new chapter will provide additional exposure for the East St. Louis Alumni Chapter and its Guide Right Program. Our regular Kappa League meetings will continue to be held on the second Friday of every month at the East Louis Community of Christ Church from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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The East St. Louis Alumni
Chapter and its Guide Right Program took Seven of our high school aged young
men on a trip the weekend of August 26 to Carbondale, IL to
 participate
in the Paul Simon Leadership Weekend. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity was one of
the many organizations that had young men from around the state taking part
in leadership and team building activities. One of our young men from the
East St. Louis Guide Right Program, Gregory Green, was awarded one of two
fully loaded computer systems that were built by the young men that attended
the conference, for his outstanding character and leadership. What makes
this award even more special is that Gregory was chosen for this award by
the same young men that participated in the weekend. Gregory truly is a
leader among his peers. |
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| The February Kappa League meeting was a meeting of celebration, reflection and honor. It was Black History month. Brother Alvin Parks was the guest speaker. Brother Parks led a very enlightening discussion on Black History that began with how African-Americans came to the United States and continued with a discussion on the many contributions that African-Americans have made to this country since being brought here over 400 years ago. The young men were also given handouts that listed some of the many accomplishments of brilliant men and women who lived during some very difficult times, but still managed to ACHIEVE. Brother Parks also talked to the young men about his new position as the new Interim City Manager of East St. Louis. |
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| The Kappa Leaguers were treated to field trip thanks to Brother Charles Merritts. Brother Merritts donated several tickets for the young men to go the Savvis Center to watch the St. Louis Steamers play the Milwaukee Wave on February 19. Twelve Kappa Leaguers made the trip and surprisingly enjoyed themselves. The trip was surprisingly enjoyable because none of the young men had ever been to a professional soccer game and thought that the game would be boring. |
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| In what has become an annual event the young men went on a field trip to the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Fair at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Illinois. The Kappa Leaguers got a chance to speak with several college representatives about possible careers, financial aid, and campus life. They were also treated to a Greek step show |
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| Polemarch Joe Lewis was the speaker at the regularly scheduled meeting on January 14. He discussed the importance of wearing a seat belt while riding in the car. Polemarch Lewis’s message was apart of the “Buckle Up With Kappa Alpha Psi” community-based initiative directed by Grand Polemarch Samuel C. Hamilton. Most of the Kappa Leaguers did not like the idea of wearing seat belts while in the car, but now understand the importance of it. |
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| Holiday meeting. Brother Jones and Brother Ray conversed with the young men about a variety of subjects: school, sports, and holiday plans. The conversation between the young men and Brothers Jones and Ray was very informative and lively. All of the young men are very intelligent with interesting ways of viewing various topics and situations. After the meeting refreshments were served and the Kappa League Committee gave the young men a Christmas present, a Christmas card with a pass to see a movie at an AMC Theatre. |
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| Lieutenant Colonel Gwen Childs was the speaker at the November meeting. Colonel Childs is the wife of Brother Leonard Childs. Colonel Childs talked to the young men about the Air Force and the many programs and that it has for young people like themselves. She said that the Air Force ROTC was just one of several programs available to learn more about the Air Force. She spoke about the Civil Air Patrol, which is geared towards elementary and junior high school students that will teach them about science and about flying air planes. Colonel Childs talked to the Kappa Leaguers about how important school is and how they need to take their education seriously. Colonel Childs also brought a video to show the guys about the many opportunities available to them for getting scholarships to attend the Air Force Academy for college. The young men were very impressed and excited about the joining the Civil Air Patrol. |
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October Meeting the Kappa Leaguers took a field trip to Savvis Center to watch an NBA basketball game. A total of 31 Brothers and Kappa Leaguers made the trip to see the Cleveland Cavalier vs. the Chicago Bulls. The young men were very excited about seeing LeBron James live. The Kappa Leaguers had been looking forward to the trip for months. The evening began with a nice dinner at the church. The young men traveled to the game at 7 pm and returned back to the church at 10:30 pm. Everyone that made the trip had a great time. |
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| Illinois State Trooper John Merrifield was the speaker at the October meeting. Trooper Merrifield talked to the kids about law enforcement, making intelligent decisions, and the importance of education. Trooper Merrifield was excellent. He captured the attention of all the Kappa Leaguers from the moment he stepped into the room- easy to understand why because Trooper Merrifield stands 6 foot 6 inches tall. Trooper Merrifield also held young men’s attention with this message. He gave the young men some very good advice that will hopefully make an impact on their lives. After his message, Trooper Merrifield dazzled the young men with his basketball wizardry. He used to be a member of an organization called the Harlem Wizards, which is similar to the Harlem Globetrotters. Before he left Trooper Merrifield also extended an invitation to us bring the Kappa Leaguers up to Springfield, IL to see the state trooper academy. |
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| The Kappa League had its first meeting of 2004-2005 on September 10, 2004 at the East St. Louis Community of Christ Church. The meeting was well attended. Seventeen young men attended the meeting- four of them were new. The new Kappa League members were welcomed by the returning members and the Brothers. The ages of the young men ranged from 9 to 18. The agenda for the upcoming year was discussed and the Kappa Leaguers seemed eager to get the new season started. The high school students especially eager since they were going a field trip away from the city on September 18 and 19. After the meeting adjourned refreshments were served. |
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| The high school aged Kappa Leaguers spent the weekend of September 18 at the Touch of Nature Camp in Carbondale participating in a leadership retreat hosted by the Illinois Public Policy Institute. Six young men represented the Kappa League program. While on the trip the young men participated in team building workshops, nature experiences, and challenges that forced them to think as a leader. When Kappa Leaguers departed the bus from the trip they were given a book titled Good Men, Good Jobs. Several men from the East St. Louis Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi are featured in the book. |
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The Kappa Leaguers joined the East St. Louis Alumni chapter for a day of fun and feast at the annual Hugh Key Memorial Picnic. Several young men attended the picnic and spent the day playing football, fishing, and eating barbecue. Kappa Leaguer Andre’ Hodges was awarded the first Hugh L. Key Scholarship at the picnic. Andre’ will begin his college matriculation this fall at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. |
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| May was a busy month for the Kappa League. We had several exciting activities planned for the young men. Two Negro League baseball players were guest speakers at the monthly meeting. Mr. Joe Henry and Mr. Sam Bay Taylor spoke to the Kappa Leaguers about life in the Negro Leagues and the state of baseball today. The Kappa League also attended a Cardinals baseball game during the month of May. All of the Kappa Leaguers had a great time and found the game so much more interesting in person. At the end of the month the Kappa Leaguers attend our chapter’s Annual Spring Affair At The St. Louis Black Repertory Theater. They seemed to enjoy the production. |
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| Brother Riley Owens was the speaker at the April Kappa League meeting. Brother Owens is the former mayor of Centerville, Illinois, artist, entrepreneur, and inventor. He spoke to the Kappa Leaguers about one of his inventions, a slingshot that he sold to the Daisy Corporation. He also showed the young men how to make slingshots from scratch. After the meeting the Kappa Leaguers followed Brother Owens outside with the slingshots that they had made for demonstrations, a safety lesson, and some target practice. |
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The Kappa Leaguers attended the Youth Symposium hosted by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority on March 13. The focus of the symposium was Education and Today’s Youth. Eight Kappa Leaguers attend the symposium. They enjoyed the various activities at the symposium and enjoyed seeing several of their classmates from school. |
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| The Kappa Leaguers enjoyed Movie Night at Brother Reverend Dr. Delancy Moore’s church, St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church on. The Kappa League committee would like to thank Brother Reverend Dr. Delancy Moore and the St. Mark congregation for allowing us to share Movie Night with them. The kids had a great time watching the movie and eating snacks and dinner. Brother Moore invited us back to the church for service on Sunday morning. |
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| The Guide Right Program took 15 kids over to the Savvis Center to see the St. Louis Blues defeat the Nashville Predators 4 to 1. Everyone that attended enjoyed the game and learn about hockey. |
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| May was another busy month for the Kappa League. We had several exciting activities planned for the young men. Beginning with our regularly scheduled meeting on May 9, 2003. Two Negro League baseball players were guest speakers at the meeting. Mr. Joe Henry and Mr. Sam Bay Taylor spoke to the Kappa Leaguers about life in the Negro Leagues and the state of baseball today. Kappa League weekend in addition to the Cardinals baseball game and the affair at the Black Rep their attend church service on Sunday morning at the East St. Louis Community of Christ Church, which is the church that we normally meet at. |
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The month of March was busy month for the Kappa League. Illinois State Trooper John Merrifield was the guest speaker at the March meeting on March 14, 2003. Trooper Merrifield spoke to the Kappa Leaguers about life choices, violence and its consequences, life as a law enforcement professional, and he also demonstrated some basketball tricks. He is a former• member of the Harlem Wizards, a traveling, entertainment basketball team similar to the Harlem Globetrotters. The young men listened intently to his speech and were thrilled by the basketball demonstrations. Brother Wharton also spoke briefly to the young men. The Guide Right Committee would like to thank Brother Wharton for inviting Trooper Merrifield to speak to the Kappa Leaguers. The following day, Saturday, March 15, 2003 the Kappa Leaguers visited the St. Clair County Jail. The young men got a chance to see what could happen to them when they make destructive choices. The staff at the facility gave us a thorough tour of the jail. We got a chance to see what life behind bars is like and a an opportunity to see several of the inmates in their cells- male and female. Some of the young men even saw someone locked up that they knew from their neighborhood. Most of the young men were scared from the beginning of the tour to the end. Hopefully, it will leave a lasting impression on them of what can happen to them if they get caught up in a destructive lifestyle. The Guide Right Committee would like to thank Brother Wise for arranging the tour. After the tour the Kappa Leaguers ate at McDonalds and then returned to the church. The Kappa Leaguers also attended the North Central Province Public Meeting on March 21, 2003. They got a chance to meet and greet professional men from 5 different states and see part of what it means to be a member of Kappa Alpha Psi as well as brothers from the visiting chapters got a chance to see a part of what makes this chapter so great. |
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| The Kappa Leaguers enjoyed Movie Night at Brother Reverend Dr. Delancy Moore’s church, St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church on February 21, 2003. The Kappa League committee would like to thank Brother Reverend Dr. Delancy Moore and the St. Mark congregation for allowing us to share Movie Night with them. The kids had a great time watching the movie and eating snacks and dinner. The following day, Saturday, February 22, 2003, the Kappa Leaguers traveled by bus to Scott Air Force Base for the annual Black College Fair. The kids got a chance to meet representatives from schools like Hanis-Stowe, Tuskegee, Howard, Hampton, and many others. Various organizations like the American Heart Association and the sororities and fraternities also had booths setup |
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| Brother Sam Jones was the guest speaker our Black History Month meeting on February 14, 2003. Brother Jones led a very enlightening discussion on Black History that began with how African-Americans came to the United States and wrapped up with the progress that African-Americans have made in this country since being brought here over 400 years ago. Polernarch Marbury also stopped by the meeting to share some information with the young men on the history of African-Americans and their achievements in the military and aviation. Thank you Brother Jones and Polemarch Marbury for taking the time to share some knowledge with the Kappa Leaguers. |
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On January 3rd The Kappa Leaguers went on their first field trip of 2003. A total of 38 kids made the trip to see the Harlem Globetrotters at the Savvis Center. The kids had a lot of fun and were well behaved, They started evening off being fed a really nice dinner. The menu consisted of fried chicken, corn on the cob, green beans, and punch with ice cream and cookies for dessert. The young men traveled by bus to the game at 6 pm and returned back to the church at 9:30 pm. As the Kappa Leaguers departed the bus for home they were given a souvenir, a St. Louis Blues back pack. The kids really enjoyed themselves and asked when the next field trip would be. The kids were well chaperoned at all times. A total of 9 parents/guardians and 9 brothers went on the trip. Brothers Charles Chandler, Leonard Childs, Raymond Marbury, Sam Jones, LaMar Gentry, Johnny Campbell, Tony Little, Jason Ray, and Joe Lewis made the trip. |
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| The Kappa Leaguers rang the bell for the Salvation Army on Saturday, December 14, 2002 from 10 am to 2pm in front of the Schnucks Market located at 2511 State Street in East St. Louis. Brothers were on hand at all times to show the Kappa Leaguers the True Meaning Of Christmas. |
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| Polemarch Marbury spoke to the Kappa Leaguers about the placement of items in a formal table setting, how to sit at the table, where to place the napkin, and which utensil or glass to use. Polemarch Marbury also demonstrated how to properly shake someone’s hand and courtesies regarding the treatment of women. Throughout the session the kids were very attentive and asked several questions. The kids and the adults in the room all enjoyed the lessons and learned a lot. |
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| Saturday, June 12 the men of the East St. Louis Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. took over 50 kids to Rams Football Park in Earth City, MO. Orlando Pace of the St. Louis Rams sponsored the football camp. Joe W. Lewis Jr., Polemarch of the East St. Louis Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and a board member of the Pace Setters- Orlando Pace’s charitable foundation, lead a large group of young men from East St. Louis. Orlando Pace opened the camp by talking about the importance of an education and staying in school and also talked about his love of football. Each young man that attended received a t-shirt and other gifts, plus they got to run skills drills with Rams players. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. would like to thank Orlando Pace and the Pace Setters Foundation for hosting this great event and inviting our young men |
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In the infancy of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity when chapters were blossoming and flourishing throughout the length and breadth of the United States, both individual and collective efforts were being made to incorporate meaningful programs into the various local chapter activities. The very foundation of Guide Right can be traced to the St. Louis Alumni Chapter and Leon W. Steward, who rightfully is dubbed as the “Father of the Guide Right Movement”. According to THE STORY OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI, soon after the St. Louis Alumni Chapter’s beginning in 1921, Brothers Leon W. Steward and J. Jerome Peters were assigned to study the needs of active chapters for guidance and funds to devise a “meaningful and practical approach” to the problem. Ultimately, Brother Steward, a Y.M.C.A. secretary, proposed a program of guidance to be designated as Guide Right, with the purpose of assisting high school seniors to choose and pursue useful careers, consistent with fraternity purpose. This program was immediately adopted at the local level and the 12th Grand Chapter adopted Guide Right as the national service program. The focus of Guide Right, from its inception, was to provide scholarships to needy and talented students, and to inform young people in the professions and career options.
The basic concepts of Guide Right may be summarized as follows:
1 .To help youth, especially those of high school age, in the selection of courses leading to vocations compatible with their aptitudes, interests, and personalities.
2.To assist students, while they are in training, to get started in employment, and to progress successfully in their chosen fields.
3.To assist parents in the handling of their children by giving them opportunities to talk over their problems with those who know and are successful in their chosen vocations.
4.To afford the less fortunate youths a respite from the drudgery of the streets, through sponsored entertainment and cultural enrichment.
5.To inform youth of the values of higher education, of assistance available for continued educational pursuits, scholarships, loans, professional counseling, fellowships, etc.; of various occupational and professional opportunities; and of current lab or demands and the trends on the labor market, supply rewards,
Most of our meetings will be held at the Community of Christ Church at 3600 Waverly Street in East St. Louis, IL. The meetings will be held on the second Friday of each month from 6pm to 7pm.
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