Gang expert and policy advisor Jorja Leap (Jumped In) narrates the touching story of former gang members in Watts, Los Angeles, who come together to learn how to be fathers and end up changing their community. Leap, a petite woman of Greek descent, is recruited to the group--because of her master social worker status--by its founder, Mike Cummings, himself a former gang leader and now a community activist. Often told by the members that she doesn't understand because she's "not from the ghetto," Leap shows in Project Fatherhood that while she may not fully comprehend their experiences, she loves these men and takes enormous pride in their accomplishments.
At first, the African-American and Latino men reluctantly attend Project Fatherhood meetings, enticed by meals and gift cards. They share their stories and frustrations, discuss prescribed topics and begin to recruit others. The trust they build with one another enables them to reject a radical group's attempt to infiltrate the program, participate in community activism, and feel confident bringing their children so everyone can help them parent when they're overwhelmed by frustration. Finally, in an inspiring turn of events, the fathers decide to reach out and mentor the boys of their neighborhood. The students become the teachers.
For her part, Leap discovers the men are correct: there is a lot she doesn't grasp. But with their help, she learns, and Project Fatherhood is the primer for any who weren't lucky enough to receive the education first hand. Funny, hopeful, heart-warming and eye opening, Project Fatherhood has life-changing lessons for every reader. --Jen Forbus of Jen's Book Thoughts