The reason why I created Fathers Alive In The Hood because I am one. I'm not only alive, I am aware and active as well. Those are my triple A's (Alive, Aware, Active). F.A.I.T.H started out initially as a Facebook group to support men on issues revolving around manhood/Fatherhood or any other relevant issue. This group was started in 2011. I noticed a lack of media attention in regards to the active fathers who were actually doing what they supposed to be doing as men. The media would focus on the dead beat dad, men on the run from child support, and so many other negative images pertaining to black fathers. I knew that this propaganda couldn't continue.
Prior to creating F.A.I.T.H I was heavily involved in the Justice for Sean Bell movement that was formed in 2006. This movement started after five NYPD officers released 50 shots or more into a vehicle that had three black men in it. The man who died was the groom who supposed to had got married the following day. One of the other men had more than 15 bullet wounds in his body, but he survived. The other passenger had a few bullet wounds as well, he also lived. I attended as many protest as I could have I even did several days with his family during a 50 day vigil that was posted right across the street from the 103rd precinct. After the vigil and all the protesting that went on the police officers were found not guilty and they kept their jobs. This ignited a passion in me that I never had before in my life. As the days turned into months, months turned into years there were more murders, death and homicides not just caused by police but US KILLING US!
It became clear to me in March of 2012, after watching a video that went viral over the Internet of a young black teenager running for his life than getting mercilessly shot and killed by two other black teenagers in the confounds of South Jamaica Housing (40 projects), there isn't a value for life within our communities! I knew something needed to be down. A good friend of mine who was connected to the brother of the teenager who was murdered was at my house. We were both very emotional about the situation. We went to the young man's families house in 40 projects. While going through the different stages of grief I suggested that we do a PEACE WALK from 40 projects to Rochdale housing complex circle 5. ( Definition of a PEACE WALK - A gathering of family, friends & community members who may have known the victim or knew of him. The gathering is at the point of murder. Prayer, the lighting of candles and memories are exspess. From the point of murder the walk starts and ends in the neighborhood where the shooter/shooters frequented the most) However it is an understanding that silence is agreeance. So all who appose the senseless violence that happened in the community was encouraged to come out and participate, strength is in numbers.) March 24th 2012 Fathers Alive In The Hood initiated it's first Peace Walk in memory of Darryl Adams.
(Peace walk can be viewed on our YouTube channel)
The peace walk was just one of the components of implementation. Our mission is to establish interpersonal relationships with members of the community, schools, families and even the police department. We've continue to accomplish our goals by establishing our Fatherhood support groups in different communities to work with the men in the community. We also set up our Jegna program in middle schools for young boys 13 years old and up. We also create public forums in high foot traffic areas called Cyphers which intel a subject matter studied by members of F.A.I.T.H such as Willie Lynch letters, New Jim Crow law and whatever else we may choose to discuss. People who intended on walking by at times add on to the Cypher of information. It could start with 5 men and end up with 25 people.
All these are tactics use to identify and form relationships. By taking time and utilizing it in a manner where we invest it into our youth, community & families we can increase there self value and also bring to their awareness who they are (children of God, Royalty, chosen people, kingdom builders etc...) . From that point on their purpose is met. We have a large network and a referral system that covers anything from child support, unemployment, homelessness and even getting back into to school. If we can't assist the situation, chances are we know an organization or individual who can.
Message to the women---Let us be the protectors that we supposed to be. We love you and respect you for all that you've done thus far. It's our turn to control the destiny of generations to come.
Fathersaliveinthehood.org
Www.facebook.com/fathersaliveinthehood
Www.youtube.com/Sygu2you
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