LA Million Father March Showcase Ready

The goal of the campaign is for a million fathers nationwide to be involved in their children’s education, beginning the first day of school. According to statistics, children in father-absent homes are five times more likely to be poor.

Los Angeles (I-Newswire) September 20, 2012 - The 2012 Los Angeles Million Father March Organizing Committee (LAMFMOC), a collaboration of agencies from H.O.O.P Foundation, City Lites Network Inc., Unity One, Cease Fire, Street Positve, PPCC, Project Impact, Steps 2 Success, Watts/Willowbrook Boys and Girls Club, L.A. County Parks and Recreation and others are set to host one the nation's largest father/child education engagement events. The event takes place on September 29 beginning with a 7 a.m. breakfast at the Watts/Willowbrook Boys and Girls, located at 1339 E. 120th St. in Los Angeles, Calif., and later proceeding to Mona Park in Compton at 9 a.m. for school supply giveaways, exhibitor booths, health fair and entertainment, as well as, other special events.

The proposed march route is approximately 1.2 miles and is open to the entire public.

The goal of the campaign is for fathers nationwide to be involved in their children’s education, beginning the first day of school and continuing until graduation. Organizer Bryan Jones states, "In our 4th Annual event, bringing the Million Father March to the City of Compton is an exciting opportunity. We intend to show the positive that can occur in all our communities should be decide to get involved and take a stand in helping all youth succeed. Those participating will truly be part of the kind of history their children's children will speak about one day. So, participants definitely want to make sure they bring their cameras and walking shoes. On-lookers will truly see the power of fathers moving as one, in support of their children's education. We in Los Angeles know how to win championship. And, what could be better than the City of Angels hanging the Fatherhood Engagement Championship banner high over our communities."

A petition will also be circulated for fathers to sign in efforts to secure key resources from both state and federal agencies to support more fatherhood engagement and early childhood education. According to statistics, children in father-absent homes are five times more likely to be poor (U.S. Census Bureau).

Million Father March founder and Executive Director of Chicago-based Black Star Project, Phillip Jackson, will travel to Los Angeles to be part of this historic event. Having dealt recently with the teacher strike in Chicago, Jackson is eager to be a part of fathers taking an active role in the education and well-being of their children; founded in 2004 with 10 individuals in a South Side Chicago church basement, the campaign has now spread to nearly 1,200 cities and 1.8 million participants.

Also attending the event will be a number of elected officials, school educators and administrators, faith-based organizations, county agencies, youth groups, sports teams and a host of other community organizations. In addition, urban superhero and youth advocate, Roger Tinsley a.k.a. 'Danger man', will be on-hand to greet attendees and take pictures. On September 28, Ernst & Young will provide a team of forty volunteers to prepare backpacks and support the effort of fathers becoming more actively involved in the lives and well-being of their children and community.

Unique to the Million Father March is the Los Angles collaboration. Mark Johnson, executive director of City Lites Network Inc., is heading up the event's logistics. He states, "This is about community organizations coming together for the good of the entire community. We must start with us, if we are to rebuild, grow and improve our neighborhoods and businesses. No one should ever say we cannot do the positive and good for our youth and our communities, when in fact we are proving with the Million Father March, that working together can get a great deal accomplished for the positive. Everyone should come out and see what has really been happening in our coming together."

For additional updates and information regarding the Los Angeles Million Father March, visit streetpositive.com, or contact 1-888-865-7773. The event is free and open to the public.