The Center is a coordinating place that increases the accessibility of services to men, boys, and families as well as build community awareness of the social and economic needs of men and families across the community.
The Neighborhood Navigators: A strategy used by the late Clarence Du Burns called “Block-by-Block Navigators” which assigned Block Leaders on each street the job to mobilize people to vote. In a similar fashion, MFC’s Executive Director, Leon Purnell pulled together 55 people who were underemployed, unemployed, or retired from the community and trained them to canvas the area for individuals and families needing immediate support and services. Navigators meet, greet, and knock on doors in their communities with one goal in mind – changing the mindset to new and improved ways of living, especially their health.
The Male Parenting System (MPS): MPS is the nucleus of all Center interventions. Its purpose is to provide fathers, males who are in father roles, and men preparing for fatherhood with the skills, techniques, and resources needed for effectiveness in all areas of life. Through the MPS component, participants are challenged to reassess their preconceptions about themselves and their role as parent.
Re-Entry Program: MFC provides holistic services to returning men (and sometimes women) to the local communities. The program focus strongly on life skills and connecting this population to resources and opportunities to prevent recidivism. We also refer and work with returning population to secure housing and employment and connect them to healthcare services.
The Egbe Akokonrin Rites of Passage Program: Developed by the Men and Families Center to facilitate community-conscious manhood development in East Baltimore. Our boys are disproportionately bombarded by environmental threats of poverty, crime, injustice, and lack of proper role models in the home. Without the benefits of supportive systems of prevention, protection, and care provided by the Center through this Program, unfortunately many will not survive their environment. Young men are encouraged and mentored to focus and create realistic goals that will assist them into becoming strong, accountable, responsible, and productive individuals, in their families, schools, and communities.
Spontaneous Youth Program: Designed to empower children and youth with the opportunity to learn and play an important role in community engagement, advocacy, and social work projects. Our youth are our sons, daughters, neighbors, and youth leaders in training. They are the unheard voices often overlooked by our government and policymakers especially when laws are enacted that greatly impacts our their generation. Our young people are the eyes of the present and future of our community.
