After a diligent and thorough search around Washington DC and its surrounding communities of Maryland and Northern Virginia (DMV), from January through March 2024, our Outreach Campaign to identify, acknowledge, and reward the ‘most deserving father’ culminated on June 15, Father’s Day Weekend, with the selection of Mr. Joesph Harris being honored and celebrated as the Father of the Year 2024 DMV.

While several deserving fathers were nominated, like any competition, there can be only one winner and by virtue of his outstanding contributions to the concept of family and community in 2023 coupled with his innate ability to demonstrate and encourage the ‘benevolent values’ of 1) brotherhood, 2) manhood, 3) fatherhood, and 4) gentlemanship, Mr. Harris received the highest overall rated score and was determined to be the ‘Most Deserving Father.’

It goes without saying that most fathers, doing what’s right and good, don’t want a ‘pat on the back’ or any other form of adulation; they simply prefer to go about what God requires of them as a gift and blessing without fanfare. This is truly the case with our humble and ‘most deserving father,’ Joseph Harris who was nominated by his son, Jonathan and was accompanied by him and his remarkable and dedicated bride, Linda, during the ceremony.

Our celebration of Mr. Harris and his family were held at the Harborside Hotel, Oxon Hill MD and was everything received by the 2023 Father of the Year Award winner from Hampton Roads, VA, Mr. Darrell Upshaw, who graciously congratulated Mr. Harris on winning and presented him with the 2024 Award Plaque.

Mr. Harris and his family were treated to a full course meal with all the trimmings: a cash award, keynote speakers, memorable gifts, encouraging and inspiring songs by a godly composer, Mr. Stanley Ray, Jr., Norfolk VA, and the cheers and compliments of over 70 guests to include the volunteers and officers and board members of Fathers Incorporated.

During his remarks, the keynote speaker, Pastor Charles Bynum, II, of Cornerstone Baptist Community Church, Temple Hill, MD, encouraged the concept of fatherhood and emphasized the important role fathers play in the overall growth and success of their children, family, and community. He pointed out the good Godly relationship he and his father shares and the similar relationship he and his son maintain as responsible examples of fatherhood for the knowledge of the attending guests.

Preceding Pastor Bynum was Antoine Williams, Assistant Program Director, Sasha Bruce Youthworks, a nonprofit organization that helps at-risk youth in Washington DC. Mr. Williams spoke about his work with youth in crisis and the challenges of mentoring fatherless youth. He shared his efforts to engage them and their families and encourage them through activities and goals to help strengthen their contribution for building better, stronger, and healthier communities.

In addition to Mr. Williams, the guests were treated to the compelling and challenging life story of Ms. Barbara Brown who shared her knowledge and personal journey as a child raised by both parents; the life of her daughter in a broken marriage and that of her two grandchildren who are being nurtured by her as a result of their biological father being absent in their life.

While Mr. Harris did not seek the award, spotlight or notoriety, every moment and conversation we had with him reminded us why he was nominated and selected Father of the Year 2024. He is not only the ‘most deserving father,’ he is also an exceptional human being.

From all accounts, the award celebration was an emotional, spirited, uplifting, and joyous experience for all.

We thank Ms. Bobbi A. Pritchett, Promotions Director, Radio One, Silver Spring, MD; Ms. Denise Barnes, President, the Washington Informer Newspaper and WIN TV; Renee Nash, Program Manager, WHUR Radio; and Ellie Haslett, Account Executive, Clear Channel Outdoor for helping us get-the- word-out about the award program through Public Service Announcements, Newspaper Articles, TV announcements, Billboard and Bus Stop signage.

We also thank Ms. Gloria Sawyers for her hard and diligent efforts behind the scenes and during the outreach campaign and her steadfast manage of our registration and seating arrangements during the award ceremony; Makalia Robinson, of Largo High School for citing the brunch prayer; and the officers, board members, and volunteers of Fathers Incorporated for stepping in whenever necessary to make the award program a success.

Lastly, although we are not a religious organization, we thank God for giving us the vision for the award program and providing each and every resource needed to ensure our organizational success.

The healthcare industry is in a crisis and in serious need of nurses. According to a recent study from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings for nurses will increase by 7% from 2019 to 2029. The need is primarily due to the health care needs of the aging baby boomers, the second-largest U.S. population, and the devastating impact COVID has had on the lives of all U.S. citizens, especially the African Americans and Hispanics populations and healthcare workers – none worst than women who historically have been the dominate workers in the healthcare industry.

Countless women physicians, nurses, and care workers are leaving the workforce or dramatically scaling back their professional commitment as a result of COVID. They suffered steeper job losses during the pandemic and are recovering at a slower rate than men. Compared to January 2020, there are still 480,000 fewer net jobs in health care for women, compared to 28,000 fewer for men. (https://www.modernhealthcare.com/labor/women-healthcare-are-breaking-point-and-theyre-leaving).

In an effort to help provide a solution to the crisis and encourage minority and disadvantaged males to consider healthcare as a profession and career, FATHERS INCORPORATED has established a scholarship program that creates opportunities for eligible male students, enrolled in Maryland colleges/universities and/or state-licensed nursing programs to receive a one-time tuition assistance scholarship of up to $500.

As a “tuition support” program, the scholarships may be used to help offset the cost of tuition, books, transportation, and other fees in support of the students’ efforts to receive a degree or certificate in the field of nursing.

The program is currently open for eligible students to apply for the Scholarships for the 2022/2023 school year.  The application period ends December 31, 2022.  If interested, please go to Scholarship Program – FATHERS INCORPORATED and complete the application.

Father Absence Harms Children

There is a father absence crisis in America. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 19.7 million children, more than 1 in 4, live without a father in the home. Consequently, there is a father factor in nearly all social ills facing America today. (2017 U.S. Census Bureau. Data represent children living without a biological, step, or adoptive father.)

https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic

Incarceration’s Impact on Kids and Families

As the overuse of jail becomes more common—although the majority of people are held there pretrial and presumed innocent—its growing impact extends to the children, families, and communities outside its bars, people who must also manage the financial, economic, and emotional effects. For example, more than 1.1 million men and 120,000 women in U.S. jails and prisons have children under the age of 17 and 2.7 million children nationwide have one or both parents behind bars, according to a 2010 Pew Charitable Trust report.

http://humantollofjail.vera.org/the-family-jail-cycle/

Family Structure and Children’s Physical and Mental Health

Family structure can have a profound impact on children’s experiences and life trajectories. A great deal of research has consistently shown family structure disparities in child outcomes that are related to educational attainment, the likelihood of becoming a single parent, and general well-being.

Although the child well-being indicators studied have often included mental health, much less research has focused on the physical health status of U.S. children in various family structures.

http://www.lowincomefinancialhelp.com/financial-assistance-for-single-dads/

Financial Assistance for Single Dads

This is a personal finance website dedicated to helping low income earners and those dealing with money issues take steps to improve their financial situation. Find important information and tips that cover a range of money matters, including; help with paying bills, rent & mortgage assistance, medical bills support, low income loans, benefits & grants, proven debt reduction, utilities aid and more.

https://www.greenbeltmd.gov/home/showdocument?id=14903

Directory of Resources

This website provides a directory of resources in Prince Georges County, Maryland, that offer help and assistance to its residence in various stages of need.