by Van Stone vspfoudation@yahoo.com (215) 747-8746
Kofi Asante for dads; SCOOP Radio, is new for readers
by Van Stone vspfoudation@yahoo.com (215) 747-8746
Many kids that are American Blacks really don’t know the name Kofi Asante. But, myriad’s of myriads of fathers both black and white knows Kofi Asante, a man brought into a ministry. Helping dads unite financially and spiritually with their own children is a ministry-like work to Kofi Asante, co-founder of the National Comprehensive Center for Fathers, located at 1315 Walnut Street, 6th fl. Philadelphia, PA. “I really feel I am doing God’s work,” says Asante. “I started out in the human service field in arts and culture,” he said. But Kofi wanted to make innovations in the field of initiative. Did he!
In 2001 Asante became program manager for the ‘Father Initiative’ concept where in time he went to work for the firm called Philadelphia Work Force Development Corporation, PWFDC. At that time somewhere in his heart he had the makings of pledges of fatherhood that would save the life of dads wanting to change their lives from incarceration bound, homelessness, street violence and the way of the gun. In time the makings of pledges became real. “Seven Pledges of Fatherhood” is a mental health staple for all men interested in family, who are 18 years or older, family of minor children or children under 18, having a high school diploma or GED, and a resident of Philadelphia County. And where Asante is concerned, if any male, especially black men, were ready for educational advancement, job specific skills training and placement-with underlining training in parenting skills, and life skills they were not looking for him. Rather he was seeking them out to be back as real dads in the community.
With the help of Myeslia Campbell, co-founder of NCCF, Kofi worked to meet state-mandated standards as a demonstration project. Jobs being the logical real deal for men to be successful and enjoy raising their kids everlastingly, Asante worked on a plan to expand the program, to move it from the PWFDC to under the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, GPUAC leadership. Since 2004, the NCCF was solidly enabled to bring all father support under one roof in terms of case management, job development and placement. “We are blessed to be able to do this work,” he says.
Programs have been put in place where Asante, Development GPUAC Program Operations, Deputy Director of Men’s Program, as well as Executive Director, PCCF, will not fail one dad that enters them to achieve true unification with their boys and girls.
The Delta Alpha Sigma (DADS) is designed to let dads know that once they complete the training they are fellowshipped for life with people that counsel like Angela Williams, Replication Director, Derrick “Shaq” Moss, Mentor, Assessment Counselor, Eric Wright, Recruitment Specialist, to name a few. Then there’s Work-N-Style For Men. Asante’s fly Men’s clothing referral program where trainees and others receive free suits to dress ready to become role models for their own kids. The 3M Project is an individualized mentoring program. Legal Services for Responsible Fathers, helps with free legal assessment, advice and support dealing with family law. Job Education Management Specialist (JEMS) and the JASS Center are both programs that deal with career development, parenting skills, and child support assistance workshops, community service projects and educational advancement. All 6 services calendar a father to remain dad. Any dad that feel they believe they can make it but need a firm hold on fatherhood can find out more about the PCCF, men being back, by calling (215) 717-4000.
Speaking of being back, SCOOP USA is back in ‘08 with a bang in both newspaper and sound. Many readers that want to think more deeply about articles in the SCOOP but don’t have the time to hold the newspaper in hand while taking care of business at home can now enjoy listening to certain news articles read verbatim for their enjoyment on Internet radio. SCOOP radio can be found by visiting the new online radio station, WVSR1360 “Philly Internet Radio” –Education Radio Station, at: www.wvsr1360.com. SCOOP continues to Reach one to Teach one. Folks interested in breaking into radio will enjoy the new Talk Radio format. News and radio serving the community is back again.
