As a Kappa Delta, as well as an intern for Darkness to Light, it has been extremely eye opening to merge two of my biggest passions. One of the reasons I was drawn to Kappa Delta Sorority was because of their connection to fighting childhood sexual abuse.
Through Kappa Delta Sorority I have had the opportunity to support the cause of preventing childhood sexual abuse with Darkness to Light. Not only do we raise money for D2L, but our whole chapter has been trained in the Stewards of Children prevention program.
Childhood sexual abuse is tragically prevalent and any chance I have to help protect the lives of children is worth the effort. As a future parent, I feel so much gratitude towards organizations like Darkness to Light who work so hard to prevent and protect all children from childhood sexual abuse.
I have always known I wanted to work with children who have been abused and have been fortunate to find two organizations willing to let me be involved in making a difference. Kappa Delta’s Zeta Sigma Chapter was founded in 1997 at the College of Charleston and in 2002 our local partnership with Darkness to Light began. Since the partnership began, we have raised a grand total of over $170,000 for D2L.
Phoebe Wheeler is the current community service chair for the chapter. “We have the unique opportunity to not only donate to a national organization (PCAA), but we donate the majority (80%) to a local philanthropy, who makes a difference where we live. We enjoy planning events and participating with other Greek organizations, families, and friends to raise money for a great cause,” Phoebe says.
“Child Sexual Abuse is so important to us as women because we want to promote confidence within all women and children,” Phoebe said. “When children are involved in child sexual abuse, it diminishes confidence and as they grow up, it can severely impact their lives. We as college students in Kappa Delta are committed to preventing abuse in whatever ways we are able.”
As an organization Kappa Delta has worked towards helping children gain confidence and end the epidemic of childhood abuse. As I begin to enter the so called “real world” I feel ready to tackle important issues like childhood sexual abuse because of organizations like Kappa Delta and Darkness to Light.
Lucia Marotta is a Kappa Delta at the College of Charleston and current intern with Darkness to Light.
For more information on preventing child sexual abuse in your community, visit The 5 Steps to Protecting Our ChildrenTM, or take D2L’s award-winning Stewards of Children® prevention training.
