BPM Supporting Christopher Place

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ms. Keesha Wallace
Phone: (410) 365-0293
Email: keesahb7@msn.com


Black Professional Men, Inc. (BPM) in partnership with Christopher’s Place Employment Academy Brightens the lives of Children and Fathers during the Annual Christmas Holiday Program
(Baltimore, Md.) January 20, 2015 – The call went out across the Charm City for residents, businesses, and organizations to open their hearts and their wallets in an effort to brighten the lives of children and fathers during the holiday season.  The call was in support of the Annual Christmas Holiday Program that benefits the men of the Christopher’s Place Employment Academy.  The “ask” was great and the need was vast including program managers, gift givers and wrappers, drop-off locations, an organization to prepare for the luncheon, and the most powerful and engaging motivational speakers that the Charm City could muster. Why were speakers needed during this event you may ask? Because this was not an ordinary event but rather one designed to give the gift that keeps on giving, and empower the men of Christopher’s Place with practical fatherhood solutions, long after the holiday season had subsided. As the momentum continued to build from early December until December 19th, the community began to answer the call, and residents came from near and far to drop off their gifts at several locations that had been established throughout the city. The Oscars could not compare to the way the Charm City community opened its heart and its wallets to ensure that children of the fathers at Christopher’s Place would enjoy a joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year.  The collaboration and cooperation was something to behold as organizations from across the city including The Masonic Brothers, Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Phi Alpha, Zeta Phi Beta, and the Greater Baltimore Urban League Young Professionals, just to name a few, came together to donate over 600 toys for this worthy cause. The event, “Helping Dad’s Provide Christmas for their Children,” which took place over a two-day period and included and army of volunteers for gift- wrapping on December 19th and a program for the men of Christopher’s Place on Saturday, December 20th, was NAACP Image Award worthy.  Still, the planning for this event was far from over and needed a committed set of “take charge” program managers to mange the controlled chaos.  Kudos to the generals who directed this monumental task including Cori Ramos and Keesha Wallace for going above and beyond the call of duty, providing skilled insight and professionalism on how this operation would be orchestrated. How they do it is beyond amazing in turning controlled





chaos into a program of purpose. Again, this event was not just about giving gifts but also empowerment!  Next up, motivational speakers were needed to empower the men of Christopher’s Place around the following topics:

* Keynote Address - “Tis the Season… the Joy of Fatherhood”
* Workshop #1 – “Fatherhood 101: What does it mean to be a Father?”
* Workshop #2 – “Empower Me!”

The call went out to the Office and Councilman of the 7th District of Baltimore City, Nick Mosby to deliver the keynote address, and he answered. Moreover, the call also went out to motivational speakers Leroy McKenzie of JNF Enterprises to deliver the first workshop and Marques Dent of Black Professional Men, Inc. to deliver the second workshop, and both of these dynamic speakers also answered the call. Service and the art of giving back is a potent medicine and “this has given me a renewed mindset to focus on solutions,” said Mr. Ronald Reed, a resident at Christopher’s Place.

During the Keynote Address, Councilman Nick Mosby challenged the men to stand up, be counted, and be active in their children’s lives.  In the first workshop Leroy McKenzie provided the men with practical ways to be an effective father including visiting their children on a regular basis and attending school programs with their kids.  Finally, Marques Dent closed out the program with an engaging and empowering workshop integrated with practical ways to put the definition of being a father into practice.  Dent talked about the importance of letter writing and communicating with your children on a weekly basis and for those fathers who have children that are not local, via technology (i.e., Facetime, Skype). As we witness the impact of absentee fathers it vital that men “go back and get their sons and daughters” says Dent.

BPM and its partners are committed to serving the community and giving back is an essential component that is being led by the Community Relations Committee of the organization.  The challenges that face our community did not happen overnight and it will take a sustained, intentional, and concentrated effort to resolve them.  The good news is that we can resolve them.  “This is a continued partnership, and the point is to “change lives” long after the Christmas Holiday Season is over,” says Theodore R. Allen III, Chairman of BPMs Community Relations Committee.    

About Black Professional Men, Inc. (BPM)
Black Professional Men, Inc. (BPM) (www.bpm.org) is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization based in Baltimore, Maryland.  BPM was established in 1991 to address the social, economic, and political awareness needs of the African-American community, especially those of the African-American male.  The mission of BPM is to “Ensure the Future of the African-American Male.”  BPM is a 100% volunteer organization.





Members participate in a variety of community service initiatives to provide youth with exposure to different experiences and positive role models.  BPM hosts seminars, workshops, and field trips within the Baltimore metro area for the young men and boys that we mentor.  Moreover, BPM sponsors mentees on cultural and educational trips; attends Baltimore Raven’s games; and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Conference.  Each year BPM hosts the Rays of Hope Scholarship Breakfast, where college scholarships are awarded to 10 deserving young men.

Black Professional Men, Inc. (BPM) - Membership
To learn more about BPM please contact the Membership Chair Mr. Louis Monk at (443) 623-9657 or email: louismonk@gmail.com.

About Nick J. Mosby, Councilman of the 7th District of West Baltimore
Nick J. Mosby (http://www.baltimorecitycouncil.com/District7/) is Councilman of the 7th District of West Baltimore.  An advocate for youth and the community, Councilman Mosby has passed legislation that has a positive impact on the community including the Liquor Ordinance aimed to stop youth under age of 18 from making purchases from corner liquor stores, and the Ban the Box Legislation that prohibits employers from conducting a criminal background check until after a conditional employment offer is made.  For the past two summers, he has led the Enough is Enough Peace Rally to combat violence in West Baltimore.  Councilman Mosby is happily married to Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore City State’s Attorney-elect, and is the proud father of two young daughters.

About Christopher’s Place Employment Academy
Christopher’s Place Employment Academy (http://www.catholiccharities-md.org/our-daily-bread/christopher-place/) is a residential employment program for formerly homeless men.  During the first three months of their stay, the men formally commit to a minimum of six months of residency to acquire the necessary skills and financial standing to be successful in the community.  The commitment is designed to support these men in the transition from a lifestyle of homelessness and substance abuse/dependency to a positive routine in training towards future employment and stable living.  Participants receive training in life skills, behavioral modification, reading and math skills, GED preparation, addition recovery, computers, healthy relationships, parenting, leadership, occupation researching skills, and career development training.
Christopher’s Place Employment Academy is located at 725 Fallsway Baltimore, Md. 21202.  To find out additional information about the academy or to apply to the program please call 443.986.9000 or come to Our Daily Bread Employment Center Monday thru Friday, 9:00am to 3:00pm.


www.blackprofessionalmen.org * bpmincorg@gmail.com * 443-550-1BPM        
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