Blink: Chi Omega

1.Can you tell me a little bit about the work you do in Somerville?
* The Chi Alpha Chapter of Chi Omega participates in campus-wide philanthropy events that interact with the Medford & Somerville communities
o Read by the River
o Kids' Day
o Halloween on the Hill
o Relay for Life

2.How is your organization dealing with the economic downturn? Is it affecting your organization? What about the population that your organization serves?
* Our Executive Board has made a more "lean" budget, and has been sticking to it
* Instead of hiring a chef to cook dinner at Chi Omega 4 nights per week, we switched to catered dinner twice per week

3.In your opinion, what is the main economic need in Somerville?
* Addressing the needs of elementary, middle, and high-school students
o Encouragement to apply to private high schools
o Bridging the gap between the socioeconomic status at Tufts and the status of the Somerville community

4.We're trying to understand how people and organizations in Somerville are connected. What are the three most important partnerships you have -- OR -- the organizations you work most closely with?
* Strong ties with the Leonard Carmichael Society (one of our juinors is the Vice President) - she encourages all sisters to participate in events

* Sisters who are Child Development majors intern at the Pearson School (i.e. the daycare), and become more involved with community outreach with the children of somerville