The American Hellenic Educational
Progressive Association (AHEPA) is by far
the largest Greek-American organization. Its
scope is international - with chapters in
the United States, Canada, Australia and
Greece. AHEPA was founded July 26, 1922, in
Atlanta, Georgia, by visionary Americans of
Greek descent to protect Hellenes from the
evils of bigotry and to help assimilate them
into American society in the early 20th
Century. Although a majority of the
membership is composed of Americans of
Hellenic descent, application for membership
is open to everyone who believes in the
mission of the organization.
Mission The mission of the
AHEPA Family is to promote
Hellenism,
Education,
Philanthropy,
Civic Responsibility, and
Family and Individual Excellence.
- Hellenism
AHEPA feels part of its mission is to
create an awareness of the principles of
Hellenism to people outside the
Greek-American Community. Hellenism and
its ideals, should be experienced by all
and for generations to come.
AHEPA's "Tribute to Olympism"
Sculpture, that stands in Centennial
Olympic Park in Atlanta, celebrates one
of our ancestors' gifts to humanity -
the Olympic Games. It was given on
behalf of all Hellenes and Phil-hellenes
worldwide as a token of what Hellenism
represents to mankind in celebrating the
100th Anniversary of the modern Olympic
Games. At present the AHEPA is
developing a The acceptance of the AHEPA
Float into the 1999 Tournament of Roses
Parade allowed Hellenism to be viewed by
a worldwide audience. The Hellenic Float
carried the theme "Music from the
Acropolis" and echoed mankind's passion
for freedom and harmony.
Important issues. such as the return
of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece and
debunking attempts to detract from the
accomplishments of the ancient Greeks by
revisionists of history are all part of
AHEPA's crusade in the preservation of
Hellenism in today's society, These are
concerns not just for Hellenes and
Phil-Hellenes, but for all citizens.
AHEPA educates its members on these
matters through its symposiums,
lectures, and banquets. program, in
co-operation with the Athens Organizing
Committee, for the promotion of the 2004
Olympics.
- Education
The AHEPA Educational Foundation
continues in its pursuit to develop new
and more responsive ways to meet our
responsibility in creating a better
learning environment for our children
today ... and tomorrow. The foundation
offers scholarships on a broad, national
basis to a wide variety of students.
Recipients are traditional and
non-traditional students; high school
seniors; seminarians, including those
entering Holy Cross Greek School of
Theology; or college and post-graduate
students looking to become tomorrow's
leaders.
The preservation of Hellenic Studies
programs on our campuses is an important
issue for the AHEPA Educational
Foundation. A subcommittee of the
foundation, the Hellenic Cultural
Commission, actively works in the
support of Hellenism and the study of
the classics at our universities. In
addition, programs such as Journey to
Greece and Washington Internships have
been sponsored by the foundation to help
educate our young Greek- Americans.
AHEPA's commitment to education has
been well documented throughout its
history. Over $4 million is endowed at
the local, district and national levels
toward the use of scholarships and a
half-million dollars is awarded
annually. Thousands of young men and
women throughout the United States and
Canada have benefited as recipients of
AHEPA scholarships at these various
levels. The most famous recipient,
perhaps, is political commentator and
analyst George Stephanopolos.
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Philanthropy
The very meaning of the word
philanthropy is rooted in the Hellenic
ideal of "love of people." Therefore, it
is a natural for AHEPA to be the leading
Greek-American organization of
philanthropic endeavors throughout the
world.
Philanthropy has been a pillar of
strength for AHEPA over its many years
of existence. AHEPA's deeds can be seen
in the restoration of the Statue of
Liberty and Ellis Island; in the Halls
of St. Basil's Academy; in the building
of our churches; and in the financial
contributions toward the research for
cures of deadly diseases. Yet, this only
scratches the surface of the numerous
philanthropic works of the association.
Briefly, consider the following few
examples;
- AHEPA helped to defray the
mortgages and bills on many
churches, including the St. Photios
National Shrine in St. Augustine,
Florida, and continues to contribute
over $1 million annually to Greek
Orthodox Communities through our
local chapters.
- AHEPA amassed $162 million
during the United States' World War
II war bond drive
- Construction of the 400-bed
AHEPA Wing to Evangelismos Hospital
in Athens and the AHEPA Hospital in
Thessaloniki, Greece
- Construction of seven AHEPA
Health Care Centers in rural areas
of Greece
- Funding of the Dr. George
Papanicolaou Cancer Research
Institute in Miami
- Supporters of the "Plant Your
Roots in Greece" Program, the
re-forestation of areas ravaged by
fire
- Sponsoring of teams from Greece
attending the International Special
Olympics
- Sponsoring nurse exchange
programs between hospitals in the
United States and Greece
- Worldwide relief for victims of
natural disasters
In addition, countless philanthropic
projects are undertaken every year by
AHEPA's chapters and districts, Projects
such as the Greek Autism Project and the
Greek Children's Cancer Fund at
Sloan-Kettering Hospital both originated
at the local levels. They have now
become national projects.
AHEPA constantly seeks new
philanthropic projects where it can
contribute its resources to the needs of
our communities here and abroad, The
organization builds upon prior successes
and uses them as a catapult for future
achievements.
- Civic
Responsibility
As Greek-Americans and Phil-Hellenes,
it is our civic responsibility to search
for a just and peaceful resolution to
the crisis in Cyprus, peace in the
Aegean and the protection of the
Ecumenical Patriarchate by creating an
awareness of these issues to the
President of the United States, our
representatives in Congress, and
diplomatic leaders worldwide. AHEPA,
through its grassroots network, is able
to communicate this message in a
resounding manner. In fact. the ability
to "mobilize" our network, of over 450
chapters across the United States,
Canada, and Greece truly makes us a
unique organization. AHEPA educates its
members about these issues through
seminars and conferences. The Biennial
AHEPA Congressional Banquet honors
members of Congress and those who helped
the Greek-American Community in these
causes. Also, AHEPA keeps a watchful eye
on our members of Congress with our
annual Congressional Report Card. It
grades our Congressmen on how they vote
on important Greek-American issues.
Finally, voter registration campaigns
throughout the country are spearheaded
by AHEPA.
In addition, it is our civic
responsibility to provide affordable
housing to our senior citizens. The
AHEPA National Housing Corporation
(ANHC) is dedicated to this most worthy
cause. Over the years, ANHC has been
awarded over $330 million from the
Department of Housing and Urban
Development. As of 1997, the total
number of senior housing complexes
stands at 44, with 2,497 units complete,
and more in development. The facilities
are managed under the direction of the
AHEPA Management Company, Inc.
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What makes AHEPA unique from other
organizations is the creation of the
AHEPA Family. Over its history, three
auxiliaries were created to form the
AHEPA Family,
The Daughters of Penelope was
established November 16, 1929 as the
Women's Auxiliary of AHEPA. It is the
first Greek-American women's
organization in the United States. One
of its crowning achievements is Penelope
House, a shelter for battered women in
Mobile, Alabama. It is the first shelter
for battered women and their children in
that state.
The Sons of Pericles was established
February 3, 1926, and was officially
recognized as the Junior Order of AHEPA
in 1928. Finally, the Maids of Athena
was founded July 5, 1930 as the Junior
Women's Auxiliary of AHEPA. The two
youth groups have combined to contribute
to such worthy causes as: Muscular
Dystrophy, Deborah Heart and Lung
Foundation, the Special Olympics, St.
Basil's Academy and Cooley's Anemia.
AHEPA prides itself on this concept
of a family unit working together toward
a common goal. Combined the four
organizations have contributed well over
a billion dollars to national projects
throughout their history.
The AHEPA Athletic Program provides
an opportunity for the member to achieve
individual and team excellence. AHEPANs
are able to participate in Golf,
Softball, Bowling and Basketball
tournaments at both regional and
national level:.
We admire those who love the thrill
of competition and excel under those
circumstances, much like our ancestors
of Ancient Greece who fostered the
spirit of the Olympic Games. The AHEPA
Hellenic Hall of Fame and the National
Sports Awards Luncheon, held annually at
the National Convention, are ways in
which we honor those individuals. The
AHEPA Hellenic Hall of Fame is the only
one of its kind in the United States.
The AHEPA Athletic Awards Program
recognizes superior athletes at the
professional, collegiate and high school
levels.
Conclusion Our Hellenic history
is one of which we should all be proud. The
preservation and promotion of that history
and the principles of Hellenism - basically
man's commitment to humanity-is one area
where AHEPA has and always will be deeply
committed.
As individuals we are all limited in the
things that we can do in meeting our
responsibility to our fellow man. However,
it is when we come together as a group,
organized and focused in our objectives,
that we begin to realize the fulfillment of
our mission. AHEPA and the AHEPA Family is
that vehicle to lead us to the fulfillment
of our dreams.
Order of
AHEPA, National Headquarters 1909 Q
Street, NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC
20009 Phone:
(202)
232-6300 - Fax (202)
232-2140 -
www.ahepa.org
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