Crowned Pearls Of Wellington Serve The Community With Heart

By Patrick Sherry

Across western Palm Beach County, children and parents recognize women wearing pink and green with pearl necklaces as the “Pearl Girls.” The women of the Crowned Pearls of Wellington Inc., a local nonprofit organization, can be seen at nearly every volunteer initiative in the village and lead their organization with the aim of improving the lives of those in the community.

The organization is the philanthropic arm of Alpha Alpha Upsilon Omega Chapter, a local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. The sorority was founded in 1908 on the campus of Howard University. Its sisters wear a strand of pearls to honor the sorority’s 20 founders.

A group of Alpha Kappa Alpha women founded the Crowned Pearls of Wellington to bring their educational and professional expertise to improve the lives of the underserved here. Their local chapter is one of more than a thousand in communities around the world.

“The motto of our organization is service to all mankind,” Alpha Alpha Upsilon Omega Board President Joan Asbury said. “The development of the foundation has given us the philanthropic pathway to move forward and fund programs and projects that positively impact our community.”

In 2020, the organization began to formally collaborate with the Village of Wellington through assisting with a variety of charitable initiatives. A major turning point for the Crowned Pearls of Wellington was the COVID-19 pandemic. Countless families across South Florida faced food insecurity as shutdowns and stay-at-home orders became the new normal. Members of the organization stepped up and partnered with the village to help distribute food provided by Feeding South Florida to those in need.

After seeing the impact they had during the pandemic, the group sought nonprofit status to further support their volunteer-based projects. In 2021, the Crowned Pearls of Wellington became a registered nonprofit, which allowed them to expand their fundraising efforts and continue supporting their charity work. The organization has since grown from 52 members to 83 members today.

“We wanted to help improve the quality of life for those in the community who could benefit from our efforts,” former Crowned Pearls President Jenny Pettis-Hassell said. “As volunteers, we were committed to bringing our time, our talent, our education and our expertise to bear in support of causes that we felt would enhance the lives of those in our community.”

The foundation was established to provide financial support for Alpha Alpha Upsilon Omega Chapter programs and Crowned Pearls of Wellington initiatives that address critical community needs. Its primary areas of focus include youth development and education, hunger relief, women’s health, transitional housing support, voter education and civic engagement. Their reach spans beyond Wellington to The Acreage, Loxahatchee Groves, suburban Lake Worth, Greenacres, Westlake, Arden and Royal Palm Beach.

President Adriana Ortiz-Coffie said that what sets the organization apart is its wide range of initiatives that are all intended to make a positive impact.

“Many organizations, they focus on maybe one area, whereas we address multiple community needs while creating pathways for long-term success with our programs,” she said.

Among the most notable is their work with Wellington’s Students Working to Achieve Greatness (SWAG) program.

The Crowned Pearls of Wellington partners with the village to administer the program that is designed to cultivate student success through mentorship and professional development. Those who are a part of the SWAG program participate in bi-weekly workshops that teach them skills in personal and career advancement. It also includes the opportunity to complete a six-week, paid summer internship to apply skills they learned.

“SWAG is very important, as it provides structure and support that often many high school students may not otherwise receive, and it helps prepare them for life after graduation,” Vice President Mercedes Parks said. “It helps build practical skills, allows them to enhance their communication skills, and gives them hands-on work experience at such a young age that will help develop them into future leaders.”

Many students who have participated in the program have gone on to receive scholarships and attend top universities. Some now even work for Fortune 500 companies and are starting careers in government. Members of the Crowned Pearls of Wellington said that one of the most rewarding parts of their work is seeing students who were a part of the SWAG program return to mentor younger students.

The organization’s Regal Scholars program similarly seeks to empower students across the western communities who face social and economic barriers. The program offers ACT/SAT tutoring, scholarships, community service opportunities and workshops focused on college preparation.

These education-based programs are paired with initiatives to address food insecurity. The “In Tune with Every Bite – Feeding Students Right” initiative distributes snack packs to local youth in need. Last school year, the Crowned Pearls of Wellington delivered 1,000 snack packs to students at seven different schools in the western communities.

“I’ve heard nothing but positive [feedback] about the Crowned Pearls of Wellington and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s presence in the Village of Wellington and our surrounding service areas,” Asbury said.

The women of the Crowned Pearls serve out of a commitment to the community rather than for recognition. But their extensive volunteer projects have made them well known to many. Pettis-Hassell said that children and parents recognize them as the “Pearl Girls” because of their iconic pink and green outfits with their signature pearl necklaces.

“It makes us feel great that people recognize the good work we’re doing in the community and have built that kind of relationship with us,” she said. “They’re really comfortable calling us the ‘Pearl Girls,’ and we smile when they do.”

The organization’s many volunteer initiatives rely on fundraising, donations and community partnerships. Their signature fundraiser is its annual Night Lights & Crowned Pearls gala held at Wellington International. It features live music, dinner and world-class show jumping. Their many programs regularly need volunteers, and the organization is happy to collaborate with other organizations to meet community needs.

“I welcome any other members of Alpha Kappa Alpha in the surrounding areas to come join our organization,” Ortiz-Coffie said. “It’s a great organization.”

Women of all walks of life volunteer with the Crowned Pearls of Wellington because of its mission to promote causes serving others. Its members emphasize that all their work comes from the heart because they are committed to transforming lives and building a stronger future. With their extensive experience and drive to strengthen the community, they hope to address future needs and make a meaningful difference.

To learn more about the Crowned Pearls of Wellington and to find out about upcoming activities, visit www.crownedpearls.org.