AHEPA
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
AHEPA is the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association a group working to promote Greek-American, Greek culture, US and Canadian relations with Greece and promote the rights of minority Americans.
AHEPA is the largest association of US and Canadian citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes. It is comprised of some 500 local chapters across the US and Canada with headquarters in Washington, D.C. There are also a handful of chapters in Greece and Cyprus for US citizens living there.
The goals of the AHEPA are to promote Hellenism, education, philanthropy, and civic responsibility.
The AHEPA was founded as a fraternity in Atlanta, Georgia in July of 1922 following growing attacks on Greek Americans and Greek American businesses by the KKK an others. Its initial mission was to promote the image of Greeks in America, assist them with citizenship and to fight against the KKK attacks.
With the full assimilation of Greek Americans its mission evolved toward philanthopy, education, and promoting and preserving the Hellenic identity of the Greek Americans.
Philanthopic efforts include $600 million in senior housing projects, extensive local and national scholarship programs, fighting Thalassemia through the AHEPA Cooley's Anemia Foundation and a Greek descent bone marrow registry.
The organization also works on education and advocacy in Washington on issues relating to Greece and Cyprus and U.S. policy.
The AHEPA Family consists of four organizations, namely: AHEPA (men), Daughters of Penelope (women), Sons of Pericles (young men) and Maids of Athena (young women).
AHEPA publishes The Ahepan, which is the second largest circulation Greek American publication.
The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association also maintians ties with the similar Australasian Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.
