A little over three years ago, the Xi Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity tragically lost our President, friend, and brother, Quentin Alcorn. Quent exemplified everything we strive for as individuals: dedication, selfless service, a love of learning, and an ability to impact every life he came in contact with. As part of a continued effort to emulate Quent’s community engagement, our chapter initially began partnering with UVA’s National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to help fight the stigma on mental illness and promote positivity here on grounds.
The last few years, several of our brothers active in NAMI have began working with a Charlottesville based support service named On Our Own of Charlottesville. As stated on their website, On Our Own strives to “provide mutual support, self-help, advocacy, education, information and referral services for individuals who acknowledge having significant problems in their lives due to mental illness and who are seeking to take responsibility for their own growth and recovery while supporting each other.”
For our upcoming fall philanthropy, all proceeds will benefit On Our Own, our university chapter of NAMI, and thus the greater Charlottesville community. In addition, we will be donating to a local organization called “IfYoureReadingThis.org”; this organization tells the recovery stories of exceptional individuals who are struggling with mental illness right here at UVA, ultimately reminding students that they are never truly alone in their fight. I encourage you to check out their website. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated, and will help make Charlottesville a better place to call home, for everyone.
By focusing on the issue here in Charlottesville, we hope to have a tangible and growing impact. I write to you to ask for your help in spreading this mission to promote positivity within Charlottesville, and to commemorate Quent’s life. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
If you are interested in donating, please mail a check made out to “Theta Chi: Xi Chapter” to Matthew Osborne: 1203 Wertland Street, Apartment 04, Charlottesville, VA 22903. If you have any further questions, please contact Matthew Osborne (mfo7dx@virginia.edu) or Daniel Bader (djb4hv@virginia.edu) for greater clarification.
Matthew Osborne & Daniel Bader