PHILADELPHIA TO OBSERVE FOURTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR MEN AND BOYS ON 5 NOVEMBER 2017 WITH LAUNCH OF SCI GRATERFORD, PA LIFERS PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVE

CONTACT:


OPERATION FRESH START ™ Working Group
USA International Men’s Day Team
267-581-3963
E-Mail: insearchoffatherhood@gmail.com
EVENT-BRITE Free Registration Website Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/call-to-action-international-day-of-prayer-for-men-and-boys-sci-graterford-pa-lifers-public-safety-tickets-38557586780

            PHILADELPHIA, PA (USA) -- A collaboration between the OPERATION FRESH START™ Working Group and the USA International Men’s Day Team has culminated in the Fourth Annual International Day of Prayer for Men and Boys becoming a launch vehicle for the SCI Graterford, PA Lifers Public Safety Initiative which is a component of OPERATION FRESH START ™. The Honorable James M. DeLeon, a highly acclaimed jurist in the Criminal Court Division of Philadelphia’s Municipal Court, is the architect of OPERATION FRESH START ™ which is being heralded as a Global Model for eradicating recidivism and creating pathways to reintegration and real-life options for formerly incarcerated Men and Women who return to our communities – for the most part – uneducated, unskilled, and unemployable and in dire need of spiritual, emotional, and psychological healing.

          On Sunday, 5 November 2017 – the International Day of Prayer for Men and Boys -- key stakeholders in Philadelphia will gather at the Juvenile Justice Center located at 91 North 48th Street from 10:00 A.M. through 12:00 P.M. to participate in a “Call To Action” designed to launch the SCI Graterford, PA Lifers Public Safety Initiative. Created by a group of Thought Leaders at SCI Graterford, the SCI Graterford PA Lifers Safety Initiative sets into motion the establishment of Transformational Centers in mosques and churches throughout the City of Philadelphia which will initiate a spiritual dialogue with youths in our communities; provide mentoring sessions which will positively transform their mindset, decision-making and behavior; and end the culture of crime gripping our communities.

          Leaders in the Interfaith Community, the general public, Criminal Justice Reform and Restorative Justice Reform Thought Practitioners and Thought Leaders, Fatherhood Practitioners, legislators, legal professionals, law enforcement professionals, educators, school administrators, social entrepreneurs, community activists, block captains, and concerned citizens are encouraged to attend this event. Created in 2014 by the USA International Men’s Day Team, the International Day of Prayer for Men and Boys brings together religious leaders of all faiths and denominations to embark upon a collaborative journey with other key stakeholders to eradicate key challenges which prevent Men and Boys from reaching their full potential and empowering the communities in which they live. These key challenges include Fatherlessness, the “school-to-prison” pipeline, recidivism, violence, lack of real-life options, unequal or lack of access to mental and physical health resources and support services, hunger, poverty, homelessness, unemployment, and ethnic and religious intolerance.

          In the United States, the International Day of Prayer for Men and Boys launches the nation’s observance of International Men’s Day (www.internationalmensday.com) which is observed in over 82 nations on 19 November of each year and celebrates and honors the contributions and selfless sacrifices that Men make to our families, our communities, and our world. The SCI Graterford, PA Lifers Public Safety Initiative is a blueprint for moving the key players -- Returning Citizens -- into the equation of eradicating critical challenges that prevent at-risk youths from reaching their full potential; resisting the gravitational pull of the streets and crime; and maturing into productive and purpose-driven adults. OPERATION FRESH START ™ and the SCI Graterford, PA Lifers Public Safety Initiative are in alignment with the mission of the International Day of Prayer for Men and Boys – a mission which involves helping at risk-youths – Our Children – transcend the key challenges of crime, hopelessness, lack of male role models, lack of access to legitimate real-life options, and making their journey from childhood to adulthood in a spiritually, psychologically, and emotionally toxic environment. '

          For information about OPERATION FRESH START ™ and the Fourth Annual International Day of Prayer for Men and Boys which is serving as a launch vehicle for the SCI Graterford, PA Lifers Public Safety Initaitive, contact the USA International Men’s Day Team at: insearchoffatherhood@gmail.com or 267-581-3963.