Project Seeks to Engage Men/Fathers in Reading with Their Children
Kenneth Braswell, Randalette L. Williams, Brandon Hicks and Lamont Jones
Columbus, GA– Fathers Incorporated; a national 501c3 not-for-profit and Atlanta based Furthering Fathering is partnering with Chattahoochee Valley Parent2Parent, LLC to launch phase one of its Real Dads Read (www.realdadsread.org) initiative in Columbus, GA. Real Dads Read is a program aimed at elementary and middle school aged children (K-8) and designed to engage ALL fathers/men in encouraging children to enjoy reading.
“While the overall project is designed to encourage all fathers, there is a particular need to focus on Black and Latino fathers; particularly in low-income communities,” says Kenneth Braswell; Executive Director of Fathers Incorporated. Our efforts will begin by engaging barbershops and beauty salons, and eventually creating Real Dads Read clubs in schools and churches.
The local effort will be led by Randalette L.Williams, President of Chattahoochee Valley Parent2Parent, LLC. “It is important for us to partner with this effort. Although as a whole we have made significant district-wide improvements in the areas of graduation rates and test scores, there is still room for improvement particularly in the areas of parental and community involvement. The solutions begin with us,” says Mrs. Williams. “With Real Dads Read, we can make a profound impact in our community by empowering fathers and men to actively engage in their children’s education but we cannot do it alone.”
The effort will begin with a forum and informational meeting this Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the Mildred Terry Library. Speakers include Dr. David F. Lewis; MCSD Superintendent, Warren Steele of the Ferst Foundation, Semilla Neal of Project Launch, Stefan Lawrence, MCSD Teacher of the Year and Dr. Jake Golden, MCSD educator. Kenneth Braswell of Fathers Incorporated will also participate in the panel discussion.
Feel free to contact us for more information on our campaign and activities at 770.804.9800, fathersincorporated@gmail.com or via our website at http://www.realdadsread.org. You can also support the effort of Real Dads Read by donating to the development of our program implementation, materials and administration via our GoFundMe page at: https://www.gofundme.com/realdadsread
Columbus Read Dads Read Book Drive Locations
(list is updated at http://www.realdadsread.org)
Scott’s Barbershop; 63 Hwy 165; Phenix City, Al. 36869
Overflo Beauty and Barber Shop; 1816 Midtown Drive; Columbus, Ga. 31906
The Nappy Root Barber Shop; 4231 Macon Road; Columbus, Ga. 31907
Vizionz Master Barbers; 4475 Warm Springs Road; Columbus, Ga. 31909
Hair In Motion; 3640 Buena Vista Road; Columbus, GA 31907
