http://wjla.com/features/harris-heroes/harris-heroes-cleaning-company-helps-newly-released-inmates-re-enter-workforce
WASHINGTON (WJLA) -- Charlie Curtis and Melvin Andrade aren't just building a garden bed. They are building a new life for themselves, thanks to the D.C. company Clean Decisions.
Will Avila started up the professional cleaning company last year to help newly released inmates re-enter society. Avila knows firsthand the challenges. He was 16-years-old when convicted as an adult.
"When I came out, I always had issues with staying out in society and how to get a job, why nobody was hiring me," said Avila.
Clean Decisions hires young men like Curtis and Andrade, who were arrested as teenagers, and trains them. Jobs include landscaping, restaurant kitchen cleaning, even event security.
"They have a very aggressive approach to doing good work and, you know, I think that's key in a lot of businesses. I mean they're a great crew," said Ian Callender, owner of an arts nonprofit called Blind Whino, who has hired Clean Decisions for some events.
Added another client, Bob Dorn, "It made us feel good about not only having a clean business and our place clean, but it helps the community."
And with the support of Clean Decisions, Curtis and Andrade see a bright future ahead.
"I definitely feel good about myself from doing something positive," said Curtis. "I'm not in the streets. I branched off from that type of life, and it actually feels good to work."
"I don't think about the negative no more," said Andrade. "I think about the positive stuff and keep learning and keep moving on in life."
Avila says it's all about extending a helping hand.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Monday, August 4, 2014
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Journey to Manhood: No Sweat......
"I want my son to have this experience"
"Baba it was transformational I'll never be the same"
"Thank you Elder, I'll always remember this day"
"I know that I have people that will be counting on me to do right"
"I will make sure I give back to my community and take care of my family."
These were just some of the many comments the young men had after participating in a Rites of Passage activity held yesterday at Adena mound. Young men participated in a Native American Sweat Lodge Ceremony. The Ceremony was led by Baba Koleoso Karade, aka Nashid Fakhrid-Deen, who has conducted Sweats since 1984. The young men were taught vital life lessons about family, career, community, faith in whatever religion they believe in, the importance of purity and good character.
"Baba it was transformational I'll never be the same"
"Thank you Elder, I'll always remember this day"
"I know that I have people that will be counting on me to do right"
"I will make sure I give back to my community and take care of my family."
These were just some of the many comments the young men had after participating in a Rites of Passage activity held yesterday at Adena mound. Young men participated in a Native American Sweat Lodge Ceremony. The Ceremony was led by Baba Koleoso Karade, aka Nashid Fakhrid-Deen, who has conducted Sweats since 1984. The young men were taught vital life lessons about family, career, community, faith in whatever religion they believe in, the importance of purity and good character.
Symbolically the Elder men sat on top of a hill the young men, some present with their fathers, sat below us at our feet. Each elder took a turn giving advice and sharing life experience
Finally, Baba Koleoso led the young men into the Sweat Lodge. "Once you come out you will never be the same," he said ......... And when they emerged they showed appreciation for their community, will, life, and responsibility as a man. The young men were nervous, it was an uncomfortable situation, hot, crowded and beautiful at the same time. The unity and enlightment was evident. The symbolism: We must endure hardship with love and character in order to survive overcome and lead.... -Our ancestors struggled for us to be here, surely we can all stand a little heat-
Today our young men are bombarded with false images of masculinity. We see depictions of this constantly in modern media. From John Wayne to Rambo, Scarface, 50 cent and in a plethora of other hyper- masculine images. It seems manhood, is defined by how many women you sleep with, how much money you make without regard to legality, domination of other men, how big your gun is, love of self only, and a vulgar vocabulary.
Is this what our ancestors living and passed had in mind for us? Is this what society truly believes? In the name of all that is good I think not.
In almost every ancient culture and many cultures today young men go through Rites of Passage.
"In Rites-of-Passage programs, young people learn about becoming adults under the supervision of elders and peer counselors who have been through the right themselves.
Discussions and activities are relevant and timely, such as how to deal with strong feelings such as anger, how to develop responsible behaviors, improving relationships with others, and the importance of education. They teach young people about the changes happening in their minds and bodies as well as the responsibilities that come with those changes. Young people can examine their beliefs, values and thoughts in a non-threatening atmosphere.
According to Baba Koleoso Karade. Rites-of-Passage programs are a proven method of healing the black male. Karade has 25 years of experience working with African-American youth in higher education, as well as his personal spiritual journey. Karade was raised in the Baptist church, but also became an active minister in the Nation of Islam, an Imam of traditional Islam, studied with a Hindu Yogi, and in 1998 was initiated as a priest in the traditional African religion of Ifa. He blended his educational experience with aspects of African, Native American and Indian culture to create a specific Rites-of-Passage program, which speaks to the needs of black males. The program's goal is to develop healthy, culturally aware, responsible, BALANCED males. Through Rites-of-Passage programs such as these, young black males are initiated into manhood becoming the MEN so desperately needed in the community." -Tessaat Nefer Shekhem Ur Khufu.
When the ceremony ended Baba Koleoso gave each of the young men a Turkey Vulture feather, symbolic of transformation. Dying to the old self , the child, and emerging through, love, responsibility, endurance, community, and strength as a man.
"We are indeed, the Heroes and Saviors we seek!" - Baba Koleoso
Those interested in Rights of Passage can contact Quincy Murdock at quincy.murdock@fayette.kyschools.us or 859-940-5708.
Finally, Baba Koleoso led the young men into the Sweat Lodge. "Once you come out you will never be the same," he said ......... And when they emerged they showed appreciation for their community, will, life, and responsibility as a man. The young men were nervous, it was an uncomfortable situation, hot, crowded and beautiful at the same time. The unity and enlightment was evident. The symbolism: We must endure hardship with love and character in order to survive overcome and lead.... -Our ancestors struggled for us to be here, surely we can all stand a little heat-
Today our young men are bombarded with false images of masculinity. We see depictions of this constantly in modern media. From John Wayne to Rambo, Scarface, 50 cent and in a plethora of other hyper- masculine images. It seems manhood, is defined by how many women you sleep with, how much money you make without regard to legality, domination of other men, how big your gun is, love of self only, and a vulgar vocabulary.
Is this what our ancestors living and passed had in mind for us? Is this what society truly believes? In the name of all that is good I think not.
In almost every ancient culture and many cultures today young men go through Rites of Passage.
"In Rites-of-Passage programs, young people learn about becoming adults under the supervision of elders and peer counselors who have been through the right themselves.
Discussions and activities are relevant and timely, such as how to deal with strong feelings such as anger, how to develop responsible behaviors, improving relationships with others, and the importance of education. They teach young people about the changes happening in their minds and bodies as well as the responsibilities that come with those changes. Young people can examine their beliefs, values and thoughts in a non-threatening atmosphere.
According to Baba Koleoso Karade. Rites-of-Passage programs are a proven method of healing the black male. Karade has 25 years of experience working with African-American youth in higher education, as well as his personal spiritual journey. Karade was raised in the Baptist church, but also became an active minister in the Nation of Islam, an Imam of traditional Islam, studied with a Hindu Yogi, and in 1998 was initiated as a priest in the traditional African religion of Ifa. He blended his educational experience with aspects of African, Native American and Indian culture to create a specific Rites-of-Passage program, which speaks to the needs of black males. The program's goal is to develop healthy, culturally aware, responsible, BALANCED males. Through Rites-of-Passage programs such as these, young black males are initiated into manhood becoming the MEN so desperately needed in the community." -Tessaat Nefer Shekhem Ur Khufu.
When the ceremony ended Baba Koleoso gave each of the young men a Turkey Vulture feather, symbolic of transformation. Dying to the old self , the child, and emerging through, love, responsibility, endurance, community, and strength as a man.
"We are indeed, the Heroes and Saviors we seek!" - Baba Koleoso
Those interested in Rights of Passage can contact Quincy Murdock at quincy.murdock@fayette.kyschools.us or 859-940-5708.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
"That Gangsta Lean"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVSiv8-ugu0
I remember when I first saw the video "Gansta Lean" by DRS. I liked it because it was fresh at the time. It was a mellow salute. So many were dying from gang violence at the time the song came out. "Pour out a little liquor," became Tupac's lament to soldiers in a undeclared war. Ironically, and sadly he was murdered in cold blood as well.
Over my 20 years working with youth I have seen many die from violence.
A moment of silence:
Unfortunately I have also seen some commit murder, and be sentenced to life in a cell. There is nothing heroic in dying this way. There is nothing "gangsta" about death at a young age. We must teach our children peace, tolerance for others and love of self.
This is a dedication to those that left us. Flowers, picked before they even had a chance to bloom.
My hope is that we think about our anger, about our choices, about our self hatred, ......about our potential
Each of us has a HERO/HERU within..
PEACE
I remember when I first saw the video "Gansta Lean" by DRS. I liked it because it was fresh at the time. It was a mellow salute. So many were dying from gang violence at the time the song came out. "Pour out a little liquor," became Tupac's lament to soldiers in a undeclared war. Ironically, and sadly he was murdered in cold blood as well.
Over my 20 years working with youth I have seen many die from violence.
A moment of silence:
Unfortunately I have also seen some commit murder, and be sentenced to life in a cell. There is nothing heroic in dying this way. There is nothing "gangsta" about death at a young age. We must teach our children peace, tolerance for others and love of self.
This is a dedication to those that left us. Flowers, picked before they even had a chance to bloom.
My hope is that we think about our anger, about our choices, about our self hatred, ......about our potential
Each of us has a HERO/HERU within..
PEACE
Education comes from the Greek word "Educare," or to bring out. This is our challenge as educators in this new millennium. To reach a population that have become victims of social economic struggle in the United States. Historically gangs within the United States have risen out of areas that are economically in need. The latest trend has shown gang interest spreading into suburbia. With rising gas prices and a weakening economy the gang life has started to take root. For example I recently read on a Cincinnati , Ohio news website, that gangs had moved into Sharonville. Sharonville is a suburb outside of Cincinnati. The article interviewed a young neighborhood kid that got jumped in a gang behind a house in a wooded area. I used to go to Tri-County Mall close to that area in high school. It was definitely not your stereotypical "hood."
I do not know of any test that measures hope; but today in class I asked my students, "How many of you have hope for your future?" Everyone raised their hand. That display was reason enough for me to continue to be vigilant in helping these so called "at-risk" students succeed and live fulfilling lives. They are not at-risk to fail. They are at risk in the fact that they might miss the opportunity to learn and grow into an adult that has reached his or her greatest potential.
The Engagement process has evolved from past teaching methodology. Our students now live in a world where laptops and MYSPACE are the norm. Information and resources are available now at the click of a mouse. Surely we have the resources to help students succeed
Let's take a step into the future of Education in America. The possibilities are limitless, and our children's children, several generations from now will thank us, and remember.
I do not know of any test that measures hope; but today in class I asked my students, "How many of you have hope for your future?" Everyone raised their hand. That display was reason enough for me to continue to be vigilant in helping these so called "at-risk" students succeed and live fulfilling lives. They are not at-risk to fail. They are at risk in the fact that they might miss the opportunity to learn and grow into an adult that has reached his or her greatest potential.
The Engagement process has evolved from past teaching methodology. Our students now live in a world where laptops and MYSPACE are the norm. Information and resources are available now at the click of a mouse. Surely we have the resources to help students succeed
Let's take a step into the future of Education in America. The possibilities are limitless, and our children's children, several generations from now will thank us, and remember.
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