--- On Tue, 8/26/08, The Black Star Project <blacks...@ameritech.net> wrote: From: The Black Star Project <blacks...@ameritech.net> | ||||
| New York State Office of Children & Family Services Encourages Dads to Take their Children to School |
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![]() News from New York State Office of Children & Family Services For more information contact: Edward Borges, Director of Communications, 518-473-7793 New York City Dads Encouraged to Take Their Children to School for 5th Annual Million Father March NEW YORK, NY (08/25/2008) -- Fathers and father figures are urged to accompany their children to the first day of school this year, as part of a national Million Father March. New York City's public schools open Tuesday, Sept. 2. "Fathers are essential to a child's development and well-being, and they need to be involved in their children's education," said Gladys Carrión, Esq., Commissioner of the New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS). "When fathers take an active interest, children do better in school, have fewer behavioral problems, and are more likely to graduate." OCFS is partnering with the New York City Department of Education (DOE) to encourage participation in the Million Father March throughout the five boroughs of New York City. "Fathers need to assert leadership and provoke the imagination of our school communities to redefine family involvement in a child's education," said DOE Chief Family Engagement Officer Martine Guerrier. An estimated 500,000 men from 400 cities across the U.S. are expected to join the march. Businesses are being asked to give fathers and father figures two hours off to take their children to school. Men are also being encouraged to use the Million Father March as the beginning of a "year long" commitment to volunteer and take an active role in school activities. OCFS's participation in the Million Father March is part of its fatherhood initiative promoting responsible fatherhood. Commissioner Carrión will take part in the program at PS/MS147 in Cambria Heights. Participants will receive certificates of recognition, refreshments and giveaways. Schools signed up to participate in New York City include: South Bronx Preparatory MS 223: Brooklyn PS 86, PS 272 and New Life Head Start; Queens PS/MS 147 Cambria Heights; Harlem PS 133 and PS 242; and Staten Island PS 14. Community outreach through posters, fliers, and media announcements are being developed to encourage fathers, grandfathers, foster fathers, stepfathers, uncles, cousins, big brothers, significant male caregivers and family friends to go to school with children on the first day of classes. A public service announcement for the New York City Million Father March may be downloaded from the OCFS website at www.ocfs.state.ny.us. The 2008 Million Father March is managed nationwide by The Black Star Project, U.S.A. in partnership with the National PTA and the National Fatherhood Initiative. This is the fifth year of the march. # # # | |
| History of Father's Day with Real Men Cook | |
![]() In 1988, a Chicago couple just married with a huge blended-family wanted to be sure all the children knew they were loved and cared for. They heard of an event in New York called Men Who Cook created by Lana Turner to raise funds for the Children's Art Workshop. The wife, who was an experienced marketer, called Lana and enrolled her in the need for such an event on Father's Day that would eventually change the way the world would celebrate the day. Lana gave her OK and the promotion for more meaningful Father's Day celebrations started. This transformation in reality would bring lots of excitement and celebrations around Father's Day, which until then was likely the most forgotten celebrated date on the calendar. Real Men Cook® was launched exactly 90 years after Father's Day was first conceived, and with an amazing urban spin and corporate support. Dispelling the myth that men were not engaged in wonderful ways with their children and profiling real men, whether with children or not; Real Men Cook showcases men who devote their time, resources and cooking talent and give up Father's Day pampering to create great food-tasting and fund-raising celebrations. ![]() Real Men Cook is proud to have been in the conversation for what real men do for their families and communities and prouder to have created a Father's Day tradition of food, fun, community involvement and family celebration. The tag line for the event since inception continues to be; Real Men Cook, Real Men Care. Congratulations to Yvette and Kofi Moyo, founders of Real Men Cook! Real Men Cook celebrates its 20th Anniversary next year on Father's Day, Sunday June 21. For more information, please visit www.realmencook.com or call Rael Jackson, Real Men Cook brand strategist, at 773-651-8008 ext 2. Please also get the book Real Men Cook® with foreword by U.S. Senator and Democratic Presidential Candidate, Barack Obama - a Real Man.
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| Come To This Back-to-School Family Event at Herzl Elementary in Chicago's North Lawndale Community |
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The Black Star Project | 3509 S. King Drive, Suite 2B | Chicago | IL | 60653 |