The 17 Street in Newark, New Jersey [NJ], will be gaining a new neighbor shortly. Kean University’s Iota Phi Theta recently purchased a lot during Newark’s Valentine’s Day land sale. But it is not for what one may think; 17 Street will not be gaining a fraternity for a neighbor. The plan is to build a house on the vacant lot and then hand over the keys to the rent-free house to a homeless family unknown to the Iotas.

While community service projects are all about giving back to others and not about the personal gain of the organization, the Iotas are taking it to a level unlike any other. Wanting to step outside the fundraising box of bake sales and food drives, the brothers have without a doubt succeeded. After thinking about different ways to give back to the community and deciding to donate a house, they contacted Sierra House, a nonprofit organization that works with homeless women and families. Sierra House was able to match a family in need of what the Iotas are able to provide: a roof over their heads and a shelter from the New Jersey elements. All that is known of family is that it consists of a single-mother trying her hardest to provide for her two children.

The ringleader of the project is Tosin Oduwole, senior business administration major and member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Oduwole brought the notion of this community service project to his brothers and after a collective agreement, the brothers were eager for their civic engagement to be underway. “The final reasoning was that it would be a hands-on initiative that would allow us to go above and beyond any community service endeavor we have ever taken on,” remarked Oduwole.

To put up the funds to build a house is no easy feat, but this long road ahead is not deterring the Iotas from their mission. The going rate for the vacant lots available during the Newark’s Valentine’s Day land sale was $1000 per lot. In order to obtain the required amount of funds, the members of Iota contributed money until the goal was met.

The Iotas, “as well as members of the community and even the [Newark] Police Department of the South Ward, will be participating as volunteers assisting the construction company in building the home,” Oduwole stated. Oduwole commented, “the more the public [supports the cause] then the quicker we can begin the process of building and moving the family in.” Although the lot has already been purchased, the home still needs to be built. In an effort to raise the $100,000 a fundraiser was created. The money raised will go towards the construction and the furnishing of the home. Take part in providing a family a home by donating money.

Since the founding of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., the chapters across the nation have strived to pave their own paths and set objectives that appear to be nearly impossible; the brothers of Iota surge through all doubts unremittingly, surpassing even their expectations. “If you try to help the entire world at one time you will fail. It all starts with one move, one family at a time. That's how you make a change, by changing what you can in the present.” Showing the true meaning brotherhood and taking their motto to heart, the brothers of Iota Phi Theta are truly “building a tradition, not resting upon one.”