REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA AND UNITED STATES PARTNER ON MENTORING AND LITERACY INITIATIVES

 CONTACT: 

BOTSWANA 
Geneuvive Twala
Botswana Coordinator – International Men’s Day
E-Mail: imdbotswana@gmail.com

UNITED STATES 
Thomas Powell Virginia (USA) Regional Coordinator – International Men’s Day
Coordinator – Men of Tomorrow Rites of Passage ™ Mentoring Program
E-Mail: tmpbig40@yahoo.com 

Diane A. Sears
United States Coordinator – International Men’s Day
267-581-3963
E-Mail: insearchoffatherhood@gmail.com

GABORONE, BOTSWANA – 21 June 2013 – Geneuvive Twala, the Botswana Coordinator for International Men’s Day (https://sites.google.com/a/imd-global.org/international-mens-day); architect of the 2012-2022 International Men's Day Ten Year Plan -- which has been adopted by the United States; and Founder and Corporate Partnership and Strategy Head of "One Moment, One Action for Youth Association" has announced the establishment of a working partnership on mentoring and literacy initiatives between the Republic of Botswana and the United States. A component of the partnership between the two nations includes a visit to the United States by a delegation from the Republic of Botswana headed up by Ms. Twala in late July 2013. During their stay in Washington, D.C., the group of sixteen (16) Batswana will be visiting historic museums and landmarks; attending a mentoring workshop; and meeting with several of their American partners with whom they are collaborating on mentoring and literacy initiatives.  

Under Ms. Twala’s leadership, the Men of Tomorrow Rites of Passage ™ Mentoring Program was launched on 19 November 2012 – International Men’s Day in Botswana. The mentoring program was first established in the United States and launched on 19 November 2011 – 2011 International Men’s Day by the New Deliverance Evangelistic Church (www.ndec.net) in Richmond, Virginia in the United States in partnership with the former Virginia (USA) Regional Coordinator, Mrs. Odetta Wright. The mentoring program is facilitated in the United States by its Coordinator, Mr. Thomas Powell who works directly with Ms. Twala in implementing the mentoring program in Botswana. In May 2013, Mr. Powell became the Virginia (USA) Regional Coordinator for International Men’s Day. 

 Ms. Twala has also launched a multi-tiered Literacy Initiative in Botswana which includes a national writing competition which is designed not only to improve literacy throughout that nation but to also create a generation of accomplished authors. The building of a library in the Southern District of Botswana and a campaign for the donation of books to the library constitute the remaining tiers of the Literacy Initiative. Several of the components of the Literacy Initiative have found support in the United States. IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD®, a quarterly international Fatherhood and Men’s Issues Journal – an American publication -- has agreed to publish the essays and poems penned by youth and children in Botswana who are participate in the national writing competition. Diane A. Sears, the Managing Editor of IN SEARCH OF FATHERHOOD® and the USA Coordinator for International Men’s Day has been selected to head up the “Books for Botswana’s Children Campaign” in the United States. Ms. Sears will be working with publishing companies and authors to facilitate the donation of children’s books to the library which is being built in the Southern District of Botswana. 

* * * I

ARTHUR C. EVANS, Ph.D., COMMISSIONER OF PHILADELPHIA'S DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORIAL HEALTH & INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES SELECTED AS "FATHER OF THE YEAR" BY HOUSE OF UMOJA, INC.

CONTACT: 
Queen Mother Falaka Fattah
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
House of Umoja, Inc.
Telephone: (215) 473-5893
E-Mail: falakafattah@aol.com

PHILADELPHIA, PA (USA) – 13 June 2013 – The House of Umoja, Inc. (www.houseofumoja.org), one of the key players in the Global Fatherhood and Men’s Issues Community, has announced its selection of Arthur C. Evans, Ph.D. as “Father of the Year”. The father of three daughters, Dr. Evans currently serves as the Commissioner of Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities – a US$1 billion health care agency. During his tenure, Dr. Evans has transformed the manner in which behavioral health care and intellectual disability services are delivered throughout the City of Philadelphia – the fifth largest metropolitan area in the United States. He has moved the focus to recovery for adults, resiliency for children, and self-determination for all people who use intellectual disability services. A clinical and community psychologist, Dr. Evans holds a faculty appointment at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and has held faculty appointments at the Yale University School of Medicine and Quinnipiac University. He serves in several national leadership roles which include Chair of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Partners for Recovery Initiative Steering Committee, Co-Chair of National Action Group on Fostering System Reform for Adults with Serious Mental Illness, and Member of the Federal Center for Substance Abuse Treatment Advisory Committee. 

 The announcement of the selection of Dr. Evans as the “Father of the Year” by the House of Umoja, Inc. precedes the organization’s orchestration of the “Give Dad The Gift Of Life” Health Fair on Saturday, 15 June 2013 from 10:00 A.M. through 3:00 P.M. at 1400 North Frazier Street and 5600 West Master Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Honorable Chaka Fattah, United States Congressman for the Second District of Pennsylvania will be a guest speaker at the health fair which will provide free screenings. Entertainment at the Health Fair will be provided by Hakim Starkey, a drummer; Mr. David Fattah, Jr., a solo vocalist; The Guiding Lights Acapella Quintet; Praise Dancers; Morrow Miles & The Rhythm of God Band; solo artist O.G. Cano; The Ultimates; and Zumba Fitness Guru Tonya Thompson who is the Outreach Coordinator for Sayre High School. Participants in the “Give Dad The Gift Of Life” also include Lorie Michelle Gantt, a Keystone Mercy nurse; Tracy Tann of Spectrum Health Systems; Dr. Robert Frederick of the University of Pennsylvania’s Pearlman School of Medicine; The Philadelphia Fire Department; the Black Women’s Health Alliance; Bruma Gamble of the Philadelphia Corporation for the Aging; Yvonne Jones of Urban Solutions; and Ms. Jackie Bivins of the Philadelphia Water Department.   A “rain date” for the Health Fair is scheduled for Sunday, 16 June 2013. 

 For further information, contact the House of Umoja, Inc. at (215) 473-5893 or send an e-mail to: falakafattah@aol.com. --

HEALING MEN . . . REBUILDING THE VILLAGE

Every day – through deeds – Men teach us valuable life lessons about selflessness, courage, loyalty, compassion, unconditional love, and the importance of “doing what is best for the tribe” as opposed to “doing what is best for self”. Yet, in some circles, the question of whether Men are really necessary is being discussed. Subliminal mixed messages about masculinity, parental roles and responsibilities, and the rules of engagement for courtship and marriage are being conveyed to Men through mainstream media, films, television situation comedies and literature. 


Many Men live a “thankless” existence. They struggle to provide for their families, positively shape the minds and souls of their children, and empower the communities in which they live and work. No one – or hardly anyone – is telling a Man: “Thank you! Job well done! Hey, I appreciate you!” Conversely – implicitly and explicitly -- Men are being told consistently: “A real man does this! A real man does that!”Society tells boys and Men to be strong and that it is not “manly” to show their emotions. And when boys and Men seem not to show any emotion, we accuse them of being insensitive and uncaring. While society tells boys and men how to be a man, society is not telling girls and women how to be a woman. No one is telling girls and women: “A real women does this! A real woman does that!”

We seem to be so obsessed with telling men what they ought to do and what they are not doing. Hardly anyone is telling Men, “Your presence completes me as a person. Your presence completes our family – our community. You have value. You are loved. You are needed.” We seem so consumed about what a Man is supposed to give. The conversation always seems to be about: “A man is supposed to give this. A man is supposed to give that.” When it comes to Men, the conversation seems to be about “taking” – what we can and should take from him. Men are expected to provide safety and support. But when is the last time a man heard someone tell him: “Hey, I’ve got your back! You can count on me to protect and support you.” Men need to feel safe and supported, too!

What happens to a Man who is constantly bombarded with mixed signals about his role as a Man and a Father; badgered about what he ought to be doing and what he is not doing; and not expected to show any emotions even though he may be drowning in grief and pain? His spirit breaks and his soul shatters. Self-doubt, low self-esteem, and stress overtake him. He feels empty . . . isolated . . . powerless. He may plunge into the deep abyss of depression. Or become emotionally detached. He may self-medicate his emotional pain with food, alcohol or drugs. His physical and mental health suffers. Is it any wonder that there is an alarmingly rising incidence of strokes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and diabetes? Should we find it surprising that some Men who have “given their all” only to discover that “giving their all” is just not enough, commit suicide as a means of escaping the abuse and madness that surrounds them?

Why should we care about what happens to Men? Men are the glue that holds our families, communities, and our village – the global village we know as Planet Earth -- together. We are all connected to one another. And what affects Men impacts all of us. The village has become a chaotic and dangerous place for its most vulnerable members – our children –our babies and the bridge to the future – and our Elders. It is glaringly apparent that the weight of the plethora of daunting challenges that our village finds itself immersed in is causing it to break apart. This “breaking apart” of the village is creating an opportunity for all of us to rebuild the village. Strong, empowered, clear thinking, and fully emotionally engaged Men and Women working together can create and sustain nurturing and efficiently functioning family units and transform chaotic, toxic, and violent communities into a nurturing, peaceful, and economically and environmentally vibrant village.

We must create a space and place for Men where can they cry, shout, laugh, and articulate their emotional pain without fear of having their manhood called into question. We must create an environment that is conducive to Men shedding their emotional baggage. Healing Men is the first step to rebuilding the village.

8 JUNE 2013 IS "NATIONAL GET OUTDOORS DAY" ... U.S. FOREST SERVICE AND AD COUNCIL LAUNCH INITIATIVE TO ENCOURAGE AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES TO DISCOVER NATURE

 U.S. Forest Service and Ad Council Launch New Multimedia Public Service Advertising Effort to Encourage African American Families to Discover Nature Effort Coincides with National Get Outdoors Day on June 8th, 2013

  Washington DC, (June 7, 2012) /PRNewswire/ — While more than 245 million Americans live within 100 miles of a national forest or grassland, research shows that a majority of children in some segments of the population are not spending active time outdoors. 

Research shows that only 37% of African American children ages 6-12 participate in outdoor recreation, compared to 67% of Caucasian children in the same age range. In an effort to motivate African American families to get outside more often and reconnect with nature, the Ad Council and the U.S. Forest Service have launched a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) in advance of the 6th annual National Get Outdoors Day on Saturday, June 8th, 2013. 

 “This new campaign seeks to get kids and families out to enjoy the wonders of our forests,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “The physical, mental and spiritual benefits our great outdoors provide are more important now than ever.” 

 Research has shown that children who play outside have lower stress levels and more active imaginations, become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems and have greater respect for themselves and for others. Currently, most of the time that U.S. children today spend outdoors is spent participating in activities such as biking, walking, listening to music, or using electronic devices. Nature-based activities, such as bird watching, hiking, camping, and fishing are not as common.

 “Many families are unaware of the benefits that nature provides children, including improving their physical and mental health and emotional well-being,” said Peggy Conlon, President & CEO of the Ad Council. “Through these PSAs we’re thrilled to continue our work with the US Forest Service to show families how close they are to a forest, park or grassland and encourage them to spend active time outdoors.” 

Created pro bono by Burrell, the new PSAs are an extension of the Discover the Forest campaign first launched by the US Forest Service and Ad Council in 2009. This year’s PSAs target parents and guardians of African American tweens (children ages 8 -12) and show parents that visiting the forest is a unique experience that offers benefits of discovery and imagination for children. The PSAs have been developed for TV, radio, outdoor and digital media. 

Discover the Forest aims to engender a love for nature in kids and families by fostering a connection with urban and national forests, ultimately creating a lifelong interest and a legacy of stewardship through first-hand experience. The campaign is launched in advance of National Get Outdoors Day (GO Day) on June 8th, which will include a series of events offering traditional and nontraditional outdoor activities across the nation. The events include special guests like Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl, and offer free admissions to our national forests so families can experience traditional outdoor activities like fishing, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, biking, horseback riding and archery.

 “Parents will tell you that there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing their children’s eyes light up when they discover something new.” said Lewis Williams, Burrell Chief Creative Officer. “The forest is one of those amazing places where kids can flex their imagination muscles through exploration and discovery.” 

These efforts will be supported through the campaign website, www.discovertheforest.org, which includes interactive games, a list of activity ideas and a convenient forest locator, powered by NatureFind and GoogleMaps, which allows users to find the closest forest or park to them, as well as corresponding Facebook www.facebook.com/discovertheforest and Twitter www.twitter.com/cheecker. 

U.S. Forest Service: The U.S. Forest Service (www.fs.fed.us) manages 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands for the American Public. Its mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The U.S. Forest Service is the agency responsible for overseeing the use of Smokey Bear in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and The Advertising Council.

LETTER TO A "FATHERLESS" DAUGHTER

 

What do I say to someone who feels that her  heart has been literally ripped out of the cavity of her chest? What can I say to ease the deep pain of a shattered heart -- a pain that reverberates through your soul -- a pain that greets you every morning when you wake up? The deep hurt that was inflicted upon you was unintentional. There are two people in pain. You and your Father. 

Every daughter wants and needs to hear their Father whisper, "I love you!" -- three words that affirm her. . . three words that tell her she matters. Had you heard those words from him during your journey from childhood to womanhood, it would have made a positive impact upon your life. Every Father wants to be in his daughter's life. The decisions and mistakes that your Father made robbed him of the chance to love and care for you. He is wrestling with the decisions and mistakes he made as a young man. He is wrestling with the fact that he was not there to hear you talk about your first day at school, to plan birthday parties for you and watch you blow out the candles on your birthday cakes, and to watch you blossom into the beautiful woman that have become. And yes, you are beautiful. Beauty is within, not without. Circumstances and decisions beyond your control and which you had nothing to do with, prevented him from telling you how much he loved you and from affirming you. 

But that was the past. Let's talk about NOW . . . TODAY. If you think your Father does not think about you ... does not love you . . . does not recognize your existence, you are wrong. I understand that you cannot see or believe this. Your Father loves you and cares about you deeply. And when he thinks and speaks about you, his eyes sparkle, and a smile illuminates his face. So, why doesn't he show it? Why does he act as if you don't exist? Why is he pushing you away? Because he does not know how to tell you that he loves you and cares about you deeply. Your Father wants to be a part of your life, he just does know how to do that. You will have to teach him how to do that. 

While you and your Father cannot change the past, the two of you can do something about the present and the future. I know that you are hurting, but you must find it within your heart to forgive him. Forgiveness is not about him, it is about YOU. Forgiveness is your path to healing . . . to fulfilling your destiny on this earth . . . and to being the vibrant, brilliant, and beautiful person that you truly are. Forgiveness is the path to helping your Father become a part of your life -- something that you desperately need and want. 

There is a void in your life and in your Father's life. He needs you just as much as you need him. Find him -- send him an e-mail, call him -- tell him that you forgive him . . . that you love him . . . that you need him . . . and that he needs you. If he does not answer, don't pull away. Continue to shower him with telephone calls, voice mail messages, text messages, e-mail messages, and TWEETs that tell him: "Dad, I forgive you. I love you. I need you. I am here for you."

PROSTATE CANCER LECTURE ON 8 JUNE 2013 KICKS OFF PHILADELPHIA'S OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL MEN'S HEALTH WEEK

 

HOUSE OF UMOJA, INC. * 5625 W. Master Street* Philadelphia, PA 19131 

 P R E S S R E L E A S E 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

 CONTACT: 
Queen Mother Falaka Fattah
House of Umoja, Inc.
(215) 473-5893
E-Mail: falakafattah@aol.com www.houseofumoja.org

 PROSTATE CANCER LECTURE ON 8 JUNE 2013 KICKS OFF PHILADELPHIA'S OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL MEN'S HEALTH WEEK 

 PHILADELPHIA, PA (USA) – 17 May 2013 – The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) estimates that in 2013, 238,590 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and that approximately 29,720 men will succumb to the disease. Although prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, approximately 2.5 million American men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer are still alive. Yet, African American men, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation (www.pcf.org) have the highest rate of prostate cancer incidence in the world. They are 56% more likely to develop prostate cancer than Caucasian men and nearly 2.5 times more likely to die from the disease.

 The House of Umoja, Inc. (www.houseofumoja.org) is embarking on a mission to save the lives of men in the African American community through its kickoff of the City of Philadelphia’s observance of International Men’s Health Week (www.menshealthmonth.org/imhw/imhw.html). On Saturday, 8 June 2013 from 9:00 A.M. through 11:00 A.M. in partnership with AmeriHealth Mercy, Spectrum Health Services, and Triumph Baptist Church, Vine Memorial Baptist Church (www.vinememorial.org) and the House of Umoja, Inc. will host a “Prostate Cancer Lecture”. The lecture will be convened at Vine Memorial Baptist Church at 5600 Girard Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The keynote address for the lecture will be rendered by Michael Ponatari, M.D. Dr. Ponatari is the Vice Chairperson of the Department of Urology at Temple University's School of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he is also a Professor of Urology and a surgeon. He will be joined by Deric Savior, M.D., the Director of Thoracic Oncology and Associate Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine, Section of Oncology at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Mr. Thomas Anderson, Jr., former Associate Vice President for Community Relations at Temple University’s Office of Community Relations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Randy A. Hutchins, P.A. who has worked as a Surgical Physician Assistant for Hahnemann Hospital's Renal Transplant Program, Mercy Hospital's Surgical Subspecialty Service and with the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Mercy Hospital and Family Planning service at Spectrum Health Center Philadelphia and has held adjunct teaching staff positions with Philadelphia University, and Hahnemann Medical University; and Timothy Richard Rebbeck, Ph.D., Professor of Epidemiology in Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine’s Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatics in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 “The City of Philadelphia will be joining cities in Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, England, the Netherlands and the United States in observing International Men's Week which begins on 10 June 2013 and ends on 16 June 2013. Men's Health has become a critical state of affairs worldwide. In the United States, women outlive men by between approximately five to six years. The incidence of prostate cancer, diabetes, stroke, and Alzheimer's Disease continues to rise for Men. African American men are being diagnosed with prostate cancer at an alarming rate and their chances for survival are much less than those of men of other ethnic groups. The 'Prostate Cancer Lecture' on Saturday, 8 June 2013 will educate men and their family and loved one about this devastating disease and provide them with medical options,” remarked Queen Mother Falaka Fattah.

 The House of Umoja, Inc. will continue the City of Philadelphia’s observation of International Men’s Health Week with the hosting of a Men’s Health Fair entitled, “Give Dad The Gift Of Life,” on Saturday, 15 June 2013 from 10:00 A.M. through 3:00 P.M. at 1400 North Frazier Street and 5600 West Master Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The event will provide free screenings with a rain date scheduled for Sunday, 16 June 2013.

For further information about the House of Umoja, Inc.’s kick off of the observance of International Men’s Health Week in the City of Philadelphia, contact Queen Mother Falaka Fattah at (215) 473-5893 or send an e-mail to: falakafattah@aol.com.

MOTHER'S DAY

For the past 14 years, I have written and talked about the importance of Men and Fathers in our families, our communities, and our world. On numerous occasions, I have pointed out that Men are the glue that holds our families, our communities, and our world together. In the days leading up to Mother's Day, I have been thinking a lot about Women who, as Mothers, play an equally critical role in holding our families, our communities, and our world together. A Father's influence in his children's lives is long lasting. His influence governs the decisions they make about careers and in selecting a husband or wife when they reach adulthood. Fathers provide their children with powerful life lessons about successfully negotiating the world that exists outside of their immediate environment. And contrary to popular belief, Fathers are nurturers.  

A Mother's influence in the lives of her children is powerful and long lasting, too. Today, I am thinking about the powerful influence my Mother continues to have in my life. Some say that I am a good writer. Well, if that is true, the credit goes to my Mother! She taught me how to write. In my first or second year of elementary school, one of my first homework assignments consisted of writing a series of sentences using certain words. I clearly remember completing the assignment after which I presented it to my mother for her review. And she was not happy. She told me: "Never start every sentence with the same word. Make your sentences interesting. Put some variety in your writing! Young lady, march yourself upstairs to your room and write every sentence over again. You are not handing in homework like that to your teacher tomorrow!" So, I returned to my room and began slowly rewriting the sentences. Now, that was a very valuable lesson! It forced me to think about the message that I wanted to convey in my writing. If nothing else, she forced me to think! Many years later, I find myself poring over my writing and making sure that each sentence begins with a different word. I try to make sure that my sentences are, as my Mother would say, "interesting".  But that's not all that I learned from my Mother. She introduced me to classical music, crossword puzzles, astrology, and taught me how to curtsey (a formal and traditional gesture of greeting for a girl and woman which involves slightly bending both knees and bowing one's head simultaneously). And more importantly, she taught me to be an independent thinker. How did she do that? By simply telling me on more than one occasion, "Learn how to think for yourself! Don't follow the crowd!" 

To the Mothers of the World:  "Happy Mother's Day!"