Alpha Phi - Michigan State University

Sharon Clements Domke '76 Talks Service and Sisterhood Baking a Difference The Ivy 2 Sharon Clements Domke '76 has a long history of volunteerism, service, and a love for other people. Her willingness to fill the needs in her community can be traced, in part, to her years as an Alpha Phi. "I was initially drawn to Beta Beta because the members were friendly and made me feel at ease," she said. She found her place in the house and served as House Manager, Recording Secretary, and a Panhellenic representative for Alpha Phi. "I was proud of how well we supported each other in multiple ways," Sharon shared. "We were serious about learning and preparing for our chosen careers." Upon graduation, Sharon earned a bachelor's degree in business administration. "I started in a branch management training program for the National Bank of Detroit and ended my career as a senior project manager in retail banking for Bank of America in St. Louis." She retired seven years ago to devote more time to a new passion. Sharon's experience with Alpha Phi helped her to recognize needs in her community. "Due to the efforts of our fraternities and sororities to raise money for charities, I became aware of many worthy causes and involved myself with nonprofits providing food and housing for low-income families. Years of hands-on work prepared me for the leadership role I stepped into when we created Bridge Bread." In 2011, Sharon and her husband, Fred, were volunteering monthly by serving dinner at a homeless shelter. "Our efforts there were making it a little easier for the people who were already homeless, but we wanted to find a way to make it easier to not be homeless by providing jobs." The couple founded their non- profit Bridge Bread Bakery, which employs individuals experiencing homelessness, equipping them with marketable skills and reliable employment. "The goal was to pay a fair wage that would enable our employees to get back on track with their lives." According to Sharon, "Approximately two-thirds of the bakers who have worked at Bridge Bread over the past 12 years have been successful in finding housing and employment. We have expanded our product list from our original item, sourdough bread, to more than 60 products sold in our two retail locations, 11 grocery stores, many restaurants, and several churches." As the years have passed, Sharon keeps in regular contact with her sister, Sally Clements Spearin '73. "She keeps me updated on Alpha Phis who were a few years ahead of me. Sue Gove Merten '76, Cindy Clark '78, and Linda Ballard Bird '76, and I have also been getting together every two years for a long time now. Suzanne Stimson Leech '75 joined us for our most recent trip. We always look forward to the next getaway!" Sharon and Fred have been married for 25 years and live in St. Louis, Missouri. "I have two daughters, a stepdaughter, a stepson, and five grandchildren ages 2 to 13." Although Sharon retired a year ago from full-time work at Bridge Bread, she still volunteers two or three days a week. If you would like to hear more about Sharon's volunteer career, you can send her an email at sharondomke@yahoo.com. For more information about Bridge Bread, visit bridgebread.org. Serena Acciavatti Lexi Alvord Carly Anderson Maggie Aylesworth Avery Balint Brooke Basch Elizabeth Bayer Jessie Beaudoin Ruby Becker Delaney Bentoske Allysse Berger Tori Berris Isabel Biermann Ella Boccomino Salome Chavez Nieves Ashley Cooper Lauren Corriveau Samantha de Kay Mackenzie DeYoung Mia DiBona Faye Fasse Lillia Fogelberg Elizabeth Fracassi Lilly Fulton Carla Gallo Kelly Gavagan Katie Gilbreath Hope Grimes Stella Halilaj Julia Harper Jordyn Heaney Ella Hesse Alyssa Hoekstra Rachel Houpt Gillian Johnson Skylar Jones Payton Jordan Brenna Kark Malea Lakey Emma Lau Sasha Lopez Malayna Marical Maddie McDonnell Hannah Metzinger Veronica Michel Riya Mittal Alexa Nenner Jordyn O'Neil Kate Paolatto Brenna Paul Ella Pietrowski Sydney Popa Divya Prasana Lauren Saiia Claire Samori Lea Saputo Sophia Scalzi Mia Schelesky Elizabeth Senecal Tessa Shaw Maria Silveira Hianke Bridget Simonsen Mya Sobbry Reilly Stay Isabella Tersigni Emma Vaaler Reagan Valk Jane Van Syckle Morgan Van Wormer Ellie Vukelic Grace Wagner Ava Watson Morgan Webber Lily Wild Leah Zurawski W E L C O M E , N E W 2 0 2 3 M E M B E R S Sharon enjoying her son's wedding ceremony in India. "Alpha Phi taught me the importance of listening to other viewpoints to broaden my understanding of the world."

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