Father's Day Olympics at Sharswood II Townhouses

 By Regina Dawley

Two Years ago, community activist Michelle Rowe, of the Juanita Rowe Foundation and Regina Dawley, Social Service Coordinator/Facilitator at Sharswood II Townhouses, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, joined forces to honor the men in their neighborhood that were working to serve youth, and were exemplary fathers and husbands. They became community partners and 
implemented an annual Father's Day Olympics.

This year’s Father's Day Olympics was a Grand Slam Event! It was held at Sharswood II Townhouses,  which is managed by Interstate Realty Management, on June 16, 2012. This was a day for families to enjoy games, treats, water slides and family time. Men who have shown the strength, fortitude, focus and talent of an Olympian, were honored on this very special day for being very special men. Just as in the Olympics, the known and previously unknown, took home the gold, for their outstanding 
demonstration of fatherhood, manhood and community service. These men consistently exemplify what it means to be a committed husband father, mentor and community worker.

Captain Charles Johnson, of the Philadelphia Fire Department, was honored for his outstanding example of fatherhood and community work. He was instrumental in coordinating partnerships with other fire station captains and the Take a Sistah 2 Lunch organization, to set up food pantries in fire stations around the city. On food pantry days the fire departments provided fire prevention information, fire alarm installation scheduling, nutrition information and health information tables. While Take A Sistha 2 Lunch provided coats, book bags, hats, gloves, and blankets to be distributed to community 
members in need. Captain Johnson also mentors young men from his childhood neighborhood, engaging them in the same activities he participates in with his son. After school and on outing days, he provides nutritious home cooked meals for his,"boys". Captain Johnson is very observant of the residents in his station's area. If he sees a family that appears to be struggling, he befriends them and connects them with much needed services.

Mr. Greg Bonapart was nominated by Andrea Swan, from Temple University, his wife and co-workers, for being a good husband, active in the community, and taking care of his mother. Mr. Bonapart volunteers as a board member with the Tree House, a bookstore, story time, tutoring, camp, and gardening organization in North Philadelphia. Mr. Bonapart loves his children unconditionally, works in his Church's youth ministry, and works to prevent violence as a founding member and Officer of the 
Philadelphia Association of Former Gang Members and Friends.

Mr. Shawn Headen was nominated by the members of Sharswood Townhouses Resident Action Corp (STRAC). Mr. Headen has been a board member of STRAC since its inception and has worked tirelessly with Sharswood Social Service Department to facilitate programs and community events. He is a proven community leader and exceptional husband, father, mentor, coach and step father to the children in Sharswood I and Sharswood II Townhouses, as well as the surrounding community. He has coached the Sharswood I & II IRM/Sonny Hill Basketball team since he moved on site. Shawn's kindness and generosity, availability and respect for young and old have made him truly loved by the community. 

Mr. Antonio Irving was nominated by Al Hauser and several community members. He is raising his five children with love and guidance, after the untimely loss of his wife. He understands that school socializes children, and provides the rudiments of education. He accepts no excuses for poor school performance. At home he develops cultural awareness, teaches life skills and insists that his children and their friends become well read.  As a barber in the North Philadelphia community, he has daily contact with boys and men seeking support and guidance. Mr. Irving uses his barbering time for personal interaction and counseling with his customers. He welcomes with open arms, children who live in difficult home situations and who more times than not, engage in challenging behaviors.  He uses this time for mini interventions. In times of crises, he may let the young man or teen stay around his shop, and talks with them, as he walks them home. Mr. Irving shares advice with young men on how to make positive choices when feeling overwhelmed. He takes his barbering opportunities to be a role model and mentor. His peers seek him out for clarity and advice on being a father and husband.

Mr. Solomon Jones a married father of three was nominated by his coworkers. He was a homeless man on the streets of Philadelphia, disconnected from himself, his family and his community. Today he is a well-know, bestselling author of the books Pipe Dream, The Bridge, Ride or Die, Cream, Payback, The Last Confession, The Gravediggers Ball, Daddy's Home, and Keeping Up with the Jones and his new release, set for October 2012, The Dead Man's Wife. Mr. Jones was a resident at the Ridge Avenue Shelter for men, when he began writing professionally for the Philadelphia Tribune in 1993. He is committed to impacting literacy and created Words on the Street. This program partnered with educational, corporate, non-profits, and media organizations. Since graduating from Temple University, cum laude, in 1997, he has participated in programs assisting homeless men in reclaiming their lives. He has been a Read for Life spokesperson, and promoted reading in the Philadelphia Prison. Mr. Jones is known nationally for his voice on marriage, fatherhood, parenthood and relationships; via columns in magazines and newspapers, and his clear channel radio commentaries. Whether he's fulfilling his role as Community Outreach Director or Assistant Press Secretary for U.S. State Representative Chaka Fattah, addressing groups or enjoying his family, Mr. Jones spends every hour of his day serving his family and community.

For more information on the Sharswood Townhouses II Father's Day Olympics contact:

Regina Dawley
Social Services Coordinator/ Facilitator
Sharswood II Townhouses
1450 North 21st Street
Philadelphia, PA 19121
(215) 765-0777

For more information about Neighborhood Networks Centers in Pennsylvania contact:

Susan Noce
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Philadelphia Multifamily Hub
The Wanamaker Building
100 Penn Square East
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3380
(215)861-7583