Father of the Year 2024 Joseph Harris – website news 6192024From a District-wide search and competition, Fathers Incorporated is pleased to announce, Mr. Joseph Harris as the winner of the Father of the Year Award 2024 – DMV.
After a thorough and complete review and assessment of all submitted nominations, Mr. Harris received the highest overall rated score and based on his compelling life story and personal journey of challenges and triumphs, outstanding support of the concept of family and community, and commitment to encouraging the Benevolent Values of Brotherhood, Manhood, Fatherhood, and Gentlemanship, he was determined to be the ‘Most Deserving Father.’
The beloved husband and father of two is a native Washington and currently resides in Fort Washington, MD with his wife, Linda and son, Jonathan, who nominated him.
Mr. Harris grew up in truly humble beginnings. Being the second youngest of six children with a single mother, he often experienced the challenges of a full house. Despite his many early life encounters, he persevered to establish himself financially and as a ‘upright man.’ He was one of the first of his family and friends to own a home as a young 22-year-old and opened it up to family and friends who needed a place to stay, and still does to this day.
When it comes to community involvement and support, he has been an unsung hero. Notwithstanding battling multiple illnesses including Sarcoidosis, Congestive Heart Failure, and even a battle with skin cancer, Mr. Harris always put the wellbeing of others first. Throughout his life, he has always given back to his community: speaking at career day for local community schools, mentoring youth, donating to community groups, and using his resources to help others. During a time when he did professional car detailing, he employed teens, providing them mentorship and a place to learn and earn in a safe environment.
He stepped up as a surrogate/stand-in father to two students who were experiencing severe housing and family challenges. He helped them get on their feet by ensuring they had jobs, food, and money. Due to his mentorship and support, both students graduated high school and one is now an educator. Even now with the students being adults in their 30s, he still plays an active role in their life.
Almost every week, Mr. Harris would take extra food and clothes to the students at his job to assure that they were clothed and fed. He worked with students from low-socioeconomic environments and although his job description did not require it, always went above and beyond to assure their wellbeing.
When thinking of an individual who possesses the traits of brotherhood, manhood, fatherhood, and gentlemanship, Mr. Harris name that comes to mind. He carries himself with honor by being a man of his word and a calming presence in the midst of a storm. He is mild-mannered and polite and in spaces where others have started conflict, he has been able to manage such with class, respect, and distinction.
To learn more about Mr. Harris and the award ceremony held in his honor, please go to News – FATHERS INCORPORATED.
Helping Fathers serve as Role Models to their Children and Family, and Positive Viable Assets to Their Communities.
Nothing is more important than the love of family; not money, silver, or gold – no material thing made is its substitute. In today’s world of uncertainty, turmoil, mayhem, and perplexity it’s imperative that the love of family take its place at the top of our priority list and in the center of our hearts.
That’s why it is extremely important that all communities find ways to strengthen and support the love of family and encourage men who are in many ways the progenitors of family, to be positive viable role models to their children, providers and protectors of their family, and responsible respected members of their community.
From the very beginning of human existence, people have found ways to come together to enjoy the benefits of emotional, physical, economic, and shared support. There may be no relationship where you can enjoy those benefits more then with members of your family. It is through family that we learn the generosities of the spirits of tolerance, accommodation, forgiveness, and trust. Through family we learn to love ourselves and others; to help another in need; find meaning in our life and give purpose and support to the lives of others; and feel the value of being part of something beyond ourselves.
Over the years the concept of family has evolved as a result of family separations, divorce, cohabitation and the choice to not have children – the traditional two-parent family has seriously declined and families have gotten smaller as a result of the growth of single-parent households. But, the importance of family to the well-being of children cannot be stressed enough. From birth, children depend on parents and family for protection and their needs. Their mere existence and ability to live meaningful and prosperous lives depends of their mother and father, family, and the benevolence of those in the communities in which they are nurtured.
However, family is not just important to the growth and development of children, it is also important to the well being of fathers and mothers and extended family, like grandparents and long-term friends and acquaintances that find themselves welcomed, comforted and loved in a family without any biological relationship.
For all those who understand the importance of family and are actively seeking to encourage and sustain it, please know that it is a responsibility and calling from the highest authority and for that reason you deserve the utmost regard and consideration.
FATHERS INCORPORATED PROGRAM GOALS
Conduct the “Father of the Year Award” in urban communities throughout the USA.
Implement and conduct a “Returning Citizen Program” to assist formally incarcerated nonviolent fathers in their desire to reconnect with their children, families, and communities and live viable and productive lives.
Conduct an Intergenerational Program that bring the elderly and youth together for the common good.
Conduct a Scholarship Program that encourages males to become nurses to address the nursing crisis that’s impacting the health and wellbeing of our most vulnerable communities.