empoweredfamily

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Volunteer Spotlight: Dwayne Foster

Spotlight Accolade:  Facilitator for youth in Juvenile Halls for 4 years

Class: Songs of Our Fathers [Fatherhood]

How did you become a Facilitator for the fatherhood class?

Single teenage moms get a lot of attention, if there is a mom there is a dad. Teenage dads need to step up and do their part. Someone overheard me talking to my own kids and recommended me to Dr. Rabb [the late founder of Center for the Empowerment of Families (CEF)]. Dr. Rabb said “I heard you’re a good father, doesn't matter who you are, I heard you are a good father, come to class.” The class was [a training course for] working with teenage fathers. I trained for 9 months with Dr. Rabb. End of session, okay you’re ready...The class is all ready, students are ready.

How was the transition from training to teaching your own class?

I had a mentor in the beginning when I first started going to the classes. First thing I had to get used to was that there were kids I would be able to help and kids I wouldn’t be able to get through to. I had to discipline myself and teach myself to be consistent and come to class for the kids who would listen and want to be better fathers.

How has teaching this class changed or affected you?

Affected me as a father, it has made me appreciate my children more. [I’m] able to use what happens in my own home to help [teach the boys in my class]. Often times, mistakes I’ve made with my kids are good lessons with my kids at the juvenile hall.

What are your most memorable moments teaching the class?

We [had a Thanksgiving event and] were writing thanksgiving cards to [the boys’] babies’ mothers about how grateful the boys were for the moms being good mothers while they were incarcerated. The boys suggested they write letters to them, I also joined in to write a letter to my wife on how much I appreciated her.

[The second moment that stands out is] one kid was asked if he would sign over custody of his son to the state of California so his child could be put in an orphanage, because [the child’s mother] was on drugs and he was in jail, The boy told them told them No, because he was the father and... [has] been going to [fatherhood] classes for the last 4 months. That same kid told me, "Had I met you 6 months ago, I wouldn’t be in jail right now."

#SongsofOurFathers #youth #young fathers #Empowerment #volunteer

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Join us this month for the WoMentoring Training session on Decision Making Skills. 

#WoMentoring #training #Empowerment #girls

[empoweredfamily]

Habit-Forming Realities

Be careful of your thoughts, for your thoughts become your words. Be careful of your words, for your words become your deeds.  Be careful of your deeds, for your deeds become your habits. Be careful of your habits, for your habits become your character. Be careful of your character,  for your character becomes your destiny.

Author: Unknown

#positivity #characterdevelopment #Empowerment #poem #encouragement

[empoweredfamily]

Happy first day of fall, also known as apple season. These perfect apples are courtesy Christopher Williams, whose exhibition is on view through November 2, 2014. 

[Christopher Williams. Bergische Bauernscheune, Junkersholz / Leichlingen, September 29th, 2009. 2010]

#fall #insight #art

[empoweredfamily]

Come join us for the unveiling of WoMentoring 2.0! We have ran the pilot of the program, connected with girls, had some great events, listened to their concerns, and are now ready to tackle year 2 in a new revitalized way!!

#WoMentoring #girls #Empowerment #encouragement #givingback

[empoweredfamily]

You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.

Maya Angelou

#perseverance #change #Empowerment

[empoweredfamily]

If you missed it, another e-blast of our June newsletter is scheduled to go out Monday! Make sure you are on the list so you don't miss out on all the exciting news in empowerment!

#Empowerment #SharonRabbLegacy #newsletter

[empoweredfamily]

Know what you want to do, hold the thought firmly, and do every day what should be done, and every sunset will see you that much nearer to your goal.

Elbert Hubbard

#Empowerment #Encoragement #preserverance #goal setting

[empoweredfamily]

Concerts Under the Stars is coming to a conclusion for 2014 and we thank everyone who bought tickets to this fantastic event. If you are not able to attend, there is still and opportunity to use your Power to emPOWER by making a donation! 

Let's work together to give a voice to the voiceless, encourage the discouraged, and empower our communities!

#ConcertsUndertheStars #Fundraising #girls #youth #Empowerment #SharonRabbLegacy

[empoweredfamily]

SongsofOurFathers

"Fatherhood will put a man through a lot, but it’s a tremendous job,the best in the world-even better than playing basketball."-Derek Fisher

#SongsofOurFathers #Empowerment

[empoweredfamily]

WOMENTORING EVENT THIS SATURDAY

Good morning ladies :) just a reminder that there will be a Womentoring Event this Saturday taking place from 9:00am-2:00pm in Long Beach for the YOUNG WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE; event for the young girls. Further information will be emailed to the ladies that have been consistently and committed coming to the WoMentoring Meeting. This will be a really fun day and don't want to miss it. #WoMentoring #girls #Empowerment #PositiveInfluence

[empoweredfamily]

ALWAYS USE YOUR POWER TO EMPOWER

"You have to enable and empower people to make decisions independent of you. As I've learned, each person on a team is an extension of your leadership;if they feel empowered by you they will magnify your power to lead."-Tom Ridge #CenterfortheEmpowermentofFamilies,Inc.

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STAY STRONG BECAUSE YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL

Being a strong woman or girl means having the strength and courage to get up everyday through the trials and triumphs by putting on your best uniform and being the best you can be by helping yourself first and others that are in darkness. #WoMentoring #girls #Empowerment #newbeginnings.

[empoweredfamily]

"Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option."-Maya Angelou #ForCouples

[empoweredfamily]

Next month is the first night of the Concerts Under the Stars!! Come celebrate this night of empowerment, giving back, and sustaining the memory of Dr. Sharon Rabb with us by purchasing a ticket at the link below.

Use your Power to emPOWER

http://www.empoweredfamily.org/event-calendar/event/200/Concert-Under-The-Stars-July-12th.html

#ConcertsUndertheStars #Fundraising #Empowerment #girls #dinner #dancing #donations

[empoweredfamily]

Her Work Will Not be Wasted

Dr. Rabb started it all for CEF and she will be missed dearly. However, the classes will continue, the 8th Annual Concert will be celebrated, & the empowerment will not stop!

For anything less would be an insult to her memory.

#RIPDrRabb #Empowerment #UseYourPowerToEmpower

[empoweredfamily]

In loving memory of the phenomenal woman who began our mission of empowerment.

The dates of her viewing, funeral, and repast have been announced. Please contact us at the office or check our FB page for information on the locations and times.

#rest in peace #Empowerment #UseYourPowerToEmpower #givingback #RIPDrRabb