OCAC-CA Youth Programs

Youth programs are at the heart of what we do. Our programs are a comprised of Delta Sigma Theta's Academy and GEMS Programs for Junior High and High School Students. GEMS is an acronym for Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully. 

The Orange County (CA) Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. youth program this year will have two components. The Delta Academy component and the Delta GEMS component. Delta Academy will address needs of middle school youth (age 11-14). The Delta GEMS component will address needs of high school youth (ages 15-18). Our overarching goal is to guide the youth into adulthood with educational support and professional guidance that will teach them how to create opportunities for academic success, to enhance their decision-making, communication skills, develop their abilities and talents, to compete in a global society, and become change agents in the transformations of their communities.

The students will participate in supervised and structured experiences that will help them grow to be productive citizens with high self-esteem and an appreciation for the demand of an increasingly Generation Z-focused society. 

Delta ACADEMY & Delta GEMS

Delta Academy component curriculum foci will be:

• social and emotional development

• physiological transitioning

• culture, self-efficiency

• leadership, physical and mental health

• healthy lifestyle choices, character

• college readiness

•  civic engagement

Delta GEMS component curriculum foci will be:

• promoting high levels of academic success

• assisting youth in proper goal setting

• developing compassionate, caring, community-minded adults

• emphasizing decision-making and planning for the high school years and beyond

• culture, self-efficiency

• ethics, relationships

• college readiness

•  civic engagement