Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Hosting Step Up for Autism Awareness Walk at WCU
On Saturday April 26th, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.’s Theta Lambda undergraduate chapter and Epsilon Omega Zeta graduate chapter will host their first-ever “Step Up for Autism” awareness walk at West Chester University. Registration is free, and opens at 9:30 a.m. at WCU’s Ehinger Gym, 700 S. Church Street. Registration can be completed online.
The event is open to everyone: students, local families, and community members and features a 5K walk across campus, resource tables, sensory friendly activities, family activities, and refreshments — all aimed at promoting education, understanding, and community support around Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), said Monique Coles, Z-HOPE Programs Coordinator for the Epsilon Omega Zeta chapter. Z-HOPE stands for Zetas Helping Other People Excel.
“This walk came out of a desire to reach more people — not just those already familiar with autism, but anyone who wants to learn and support the cause,” she said. “We’ve hosted autism fairs before, but this time we wanted to do something more visible and interactive.”
The walk is designed to be hands-on, Coles said. Attendees will find sensory-friendly spaces and resources in the Ehinger Gym.
Danika Elican, a WCU junior psychology major and president of the Theta Lambda Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., said she and her sorority sisters are looking forward to the walk.
“It’s important to us because we’re an organization that values service and advocacy, so any time we can uplift a community it’s important for us to support that,” she said. “Seeing all of the ladies in the sorority being stationed around the walk will be very nice. It’s going to show that we’re really committed to what we’re doing. We’re supporting people.”
“This is about education and connection,” Coles said. “Whether you’re on the spectrum, love someone who is, or just want to show support — this is for you.”