Alpha Chi Omega’s Healthy Relationships Week kicks off tonight with Lyre Jams.
Healthy Relationships is a full week of philanthropic events leading up to their popular Sugar High with Alpha Chi.
“This week is all about healthy relationships,” said Erica Herman, cell and molecular biology sophomore and member of Alpha Chi Omega. “The reason we encourage people to attend is so that we can spread awareness of the importance of having healthy relationships, not only with a significant other but with everyone.”
The money raised by the events will be for the Oklahoma City YWCA, whose mantra is to eliminate racism and empower women. They provide assistance to women and girls who have been victims of sexual assault or domestic violence, according to their website.
“Our philanthropy, domestic violence awareness, is very important to the women of Alpha Chi Omega,” said Jacqueline Hirlinger, vice president of philanthropy. “One way we can make a difference in our philanthropy is to show the importance of consent.”
The theme of this week is “Brick by Brick.”
“Like a building made of bricks, healthy relationships require many levels and constant work to maintain their strength,” said Cynthia Bedford, chapter president. “We think this theme illustrates how strong and healthy relationships can and should be.”
Members of Alpha Chi Omega will have a table outside of the caf where students can get chocolate kisses to learn about consent, do an activity and buy raffle tickets.
Hirlinger said the items that will be raffled are
- two Thunder tickets,
- a spa basket,
- a movie basket,
- a date night basket
- and a sweet treat basket.
“Consent is the key to a healthy relationship,” she said. “It is not the absence of a ‘no,’ it’s not a drunk ‘yes,’ it’s not wearing revealing clothing. Consent is an enthusiastic ‘yes.'”
Lyre Jams is an open mic night from 7 to 9 p.m. hosted at the Alpha Chi Omega house. People are encouraged to sing or recite poetry.
Tuesday will be Big Truck Tacos Night. Starting at 5 p.m., 10% of the proceeds from Big Truck Tacos, 530 NW 23rd St., will go towards the YWCA if you mention Alpha Chi Omega when ordering.
Wednesday is Ladies Night at the Alpha Chi Omega house. Dr. Lisa Marotta will be there from 7 to 8 p.m. leading a workshop titled “No More Bad Boyfriends: A Smart Girls’ Guide to Better Relationships.”
“While we need to spread awareness about domestic violence, this week is to teach others how to have healthy relationships,” Hirlinger said. “The only way to begin to end domestic violence is by teaching people what a healthy relationship is and how to build one.”
On Thursday, wear orange all day to honor Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.
“Hopefully through awareness and constantly bringing up this topic, which tends to make people uncomfortable, we can eliminate the need for this topic to be a philanthropy,” Herman said.
Finally, Friday is Sugar High with Alpha Chi. This event is from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Alpha Chi Omega house. The cost for admission and all-you-can-eat sweets is $5. The prizes for raffles will be announced during this event.
Students are encouraged to post pictures of any of these events to social media and use the hashtags #BrickbyBrick and #HealthyAXOLove for a chance to be entered into the raffle.
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