Howard Students in the Community: Jewels Incorporated

The women of Jewels Incorporated were faced with a challenge. It was their annual "Jewels Weekend at the Mecca" where they bring their mentees, or as they call them, Junior Jewels, to campus where they stay with them for the weekend. The Jewels promised their mentees they would go laser tagging that weekend, but the other organization they planned to team up with for funds fell through.

That left the Jewels with two opitions. One of them was to tell their mentees they could not go laser tagging and have 50 disappointed little girls that they would end up with with nothing to do on a Saturday night. The other option was to do whatever they could to get enough money so they could stay true to their word and take their mentees laser tagging.

"We knew we couldn't let the girls down," said Alisa France, a sophomore political science major and Director of Sites in the organization, said.

So, after endless running around and with a little help from a few friends the Jewels choose the second option, and with just an hour before the event was supposed to start, they finally had enough money for laser tagging.

That is just one of the many wonderful things that the all-female, student-run organization does to serve as community mentors and role models for the urban youth throughout D.C. There are over one hundred female students who help mentor and, essentially, become big sisters to about 50 young grade school girls between the ages of 8 and 18 years old across the city.

Along with events such as their "Weekend at the Mecca," the Jewels also host numerous workshops for the young ladies where they discuss topics such as self-esteem, self-image, etiquette and leadership.

The Jewels are very dedicated and passionate about the good deeds they do for these young ladies.

"I enjoy the satisfaction I get knowing that every week I'm helping a little girl or that a little girl is benefiting from the time that I'm spending with her," Brittney Delpesche, a sophomore sports medicine major and Administrative Executive in the organization, said. "You also give them positive female influence."

On April 30, Jewels Incorporated will host their annual CharmBracelet Gala, which is dedicated to showcasing the great talents and knowledge that the Junior Jewels have gained throughout their program. Jewels Incorporated is just one of the many organizations and groups on campus that dedicates their time to go help in the community.

"Being a mentor is selfless and we are giving a part of ourselves to these little girls," France said. "Through mentoring, we all have gained sisters."