We believe that giving back to the Cedar Falls community is a great way to show our appreciation. Our members participate in numerous volunteer events, such as our philanthropy events and community mentoring programs, to give back to the Cedar Falls community.
Sexual assault is a serious issue in our society today, specifically on college campuses. Unfortunately, the Greek community also experiences allegations of sexual assault which is why SigEp at Northern Iowa created our local philanthropy, Sexual Assault Awareness Week (SAAW), in the spring of 2014. Occurring annually in April, we host various events on UNI's campus throughout the week dedicated to raising awareness around the issue of sexual assault and educating the community about how they can help stop this issue. All funds raised go directly to the Cedar Valley Riverview Center, which helps support individuals affected by sexual assault and provides them with a vast amount of resources to help the healing process. SAAW has become a staple on UNI's campus and within our chapter. We proudly use it to represent who we are and what we do as a chapter. At SigEp, we realize that we need to be the difference in society, standing up for the issues that impact numerous lives. To learn more about the Cedar Valley Riverview Center, visit their website here.
In 2020, we raised $5,478 for the Riverview Center during our Sexual Assault Awareness Week! Thank you to everyone who donated their time and money to support this cause!
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS) is Sigma Phi Epsilon's national philanthropic and service-learning partner. BBBS’ core principles of mentorship, trust, and impact of positive role models align positively with our own Cardinal Principles of Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love, and working with the organization gives SigEp a chance to serve others as part of their journey to becoming balanced men. Each fall semester, our chapter plans and hosts an event on UNI's campus to raise awareness and donations for our local Big Brothers Big Sisters. To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, visit their website here.
Community Mentoring Programs
Junior High Leadership Mentoring
The Peet and Holmes Young Men’s Leadership Events were created to expand the vision of Sigma Phi Epsilon Iowa Theta. SigEp believes in building balanced men through an inclusive space. These leadership events are designed to take that vision out to the community and make an impact on the lives of eighth-grade students in the Cedar Falls community. Through a wonderful partnership between the chapter and Holmes Junior High counselors, an original event was created to impact these young men, due to difficult problems school counselors faced at school. SigEp was brought in to facilitate difficult, yet necessary, conversations with these young men. These conversations revolve around goal-setting, integrity, as well as time management. By far, though, the most important discussions of the day revolve around sexual health and consent. Starting these conversations of consent early, at the middle school level, is increasingly important for the safety of the next generation. While SigEp is dedicated to putting sexual assault to an end, it believes that communicating with these young men is one of the many ways to put this issue to rest.
