Stork’s Nest
A cooperative project of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and the March of Dimes Foundation. Stork’s Nest aims to increase the number of women receiving early and regular prenatal care in an effort to prevent cases of low birth-weight, premature births and infant deaths. The first Stork’s Nest was launched in Atlanta, Georgia in 1971 as one of many educational and service projects of Better Infant Births (BIB), a highly successful program sponsored by the Fulton-Dekalb-Clayton Chapter of the March of Dimes. The program was so successful that Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. adopted Stork’s Nest in 1972 as its national project. The first Nest to open after it was adopted as Zeta’s national project was in Houston, Texas. Stork’s Nest is a jointly owned trademark of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and March of Dimes Foundation and can only be implemented by these two organizations.
The program is designed to promote prenatal care participation and encourage healthy behaviors during pregnancy through two components-incentives and education. Stork’s Nest clients “earn” points toward incentives such as maternity or baby care items though a variety of positive, health-promoting activities: attending prenatal visits, participating in prenatal education classes and stopping at-risk behaviors such as smoking cigarettes, consuming alcoholic beverages, reducing stress, etc.
There are more than 80 Nests throughout the country. To donate gently used items or money to the Xi Zeta Chapter Stork’s Nest email info@zetafoundationst.org
Z-HOPE
Zetas Helping Other People Excel was approved at the 2008 National Boule as the National Service Program of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Z-HOPE an interactive, holistic, multidimensional outreach program designed to enhance, cultivate, and empower participants to develop health promoting lifestyle choices across the lifespan. It is specific to each of the following population groups; Women, Youth, Seniors, Men, and International Women of Color.
Why Z-HOPE?
- When one reviews the “State of Black America,” it is evident that there still is much work needed to eliminate the disparities. In spite of America’s technological advances, Black America continues to experience more preventable diseases and ills.
- There is no dispute that health (physical, mental, and spiritual) impacts one’s ability to work, live, love, and just exist.
- Focusing the collective Zeta service efforts ‘upstream’ on increasing awareness and prevention, will surely either decrease occurrences or lessen their impact!
- Empowering people to become active partners in improving the quality of their life is our goal! Information and knowledge in an understandable manner is POWER.
- Z-HOPE’s uniqueness is that Zetas will take the programs/activities to the community and to existing groups rather than relying on people to come to us!
- Z-HOPE promises to provide culturally appropriate activities in the communities where we live and to empower and promote HOPE (Helping Other People Excel).
Zeta Prematurity Awareness (ZPAP)
The Problem of Prematurity
The problem of premature birth has been with us since at least Biblical times, and remains
a problem today In 2017, the most recent year for which data is available, about 1 in 10 babies was born too early. There also continues to be a disparate number of preterm births among non-Hispanic Black women. Babies born to black women in the U.S. are 50% more likely to be born too early as compared to babies born to white women. Worldwide, about 15 million babies are born prematurely, and1 million of those premature babies die, making it the leading cause of death in newborns.
ZPAP Overview
ZPAP serves as our Sorority’s effort to support the March of Dimes in their Prematurity Awareness Month® campaign by targeting our community’s religious congregations. Since adopting this as a project in 2003, Zetas, Zeta Amicae and Zeta youth auxiliaries have impacted the lives of well over 1.2 million men, women and children in more than 39 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and abroad. During ZPAP, a religious leader, a designated congregation member, or a member of the Zeta family shares information with the congregation about prematurity.
Celebrating 46 Years of an Amazing Partnership
Since 1972, the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and March of Dimes partnership has been impactful and successful. By joining forces to conduct prematurity awareness activities in houses of worship and congregations, worshipers learn more about the infant health crisis that nearly half a million families cope with each year. This year marks the 16th consecutive year of Zeta’s participation by leading this nationwide grassroots campaign.
For more information about Prematurity Awareness Month or World Prematurity Day on November 17th, visit March of Dimes at www.marchofdimes.org.
March For Babies
Disparities & Statistics: The Situation is Real
We must address disparities in preterm birth to reduce preterm birth rates and to lower infant mortality in the U.S.
- More than 1 in 8 black infants are born prematurely compared to 1 in 10 for all babies.
- In 2015 in the US, the preterm birth rate among black women was 13.4 percent, compared to the national average of 9.6 percent.
- Black infants are mire than two times as likely as white infants to die before their first birthday.
Additional Statistics
On an average day in the United States…
- About every eight seconds, a baby is born and every hour about three babies die.
- About one in ten infants is born preterm (less than 37 completed weeks gestation).
- About every 4½ minutes, a baby is born with a birth defect. Birth defects account for one in five infant deaths.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority & the March of Dimes: A 47-Year National Service Partnership
- Stork’s Nest – Founded in 1971
- Partners with MOD since 1972
- March for Babies National Walk Team launched in 1998
- Zeta Prematurity Awareness Program began in 2003
Alpha/Zeta Challenge: A Rivalry Unlike Any Other!
Since 2006 Zeta Phi Beta Sorority has been recognized as the number one Adult Service Partner by the March of Dimes over the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity! Our International Grand President Valerie Hollingsworth-Baker received the 2018 Challenge plaque delivered and presented by Stacey Stewart President of March of Dimes.
Go here to learn more about Zeta Phi Beta National Programs.
