racial equity

Since 2004, AIT-SCM and partners have led the San Antonio Fatherhood Campaign (SAFC), providing a wide range of programming support to aid fathers and their families. Current programming include: classes in Family Strengthening for participants referred by Child Protective Services and the county court system; Fatherhood classes; outreach efforts to recruit and enlist fathers in trade school or college; resume writing, job interview skills and job placement classes; as well as collaboration with the U.S. Department of Labor to find employment opportunities for young fathers through their job search and workshops.

In an effort to expand AIT-SCM’s outreach work, this project will incorporate the “Healing the Wounded Spirit” curriculum into SAFC programming – assisting vulnerable children and their families to better understand social and personal developmental responsibilities of relationships in racial healing. The curriculum will offer children and families a process of support and education that promote a sense of awareness, belonging, and enhanced self – with activities including practical elements related to culture, ethnicity, historical oppression, identity development, racism, community involvement, and planning for the future as a basis for racial healing. Mental wellness support groups or “Talking Circles” and other indigenous healing strategies will be used, such as storytelling, to include physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of each individual as a basis for direction. The overall project strategy is based on the utilization of the reflection process to educate, counsel, and gain wisdom; as well as to celebrate the inter-relationships with one another and with the world.