THE POWER OF A FATHER’S PRESENCE
In Chapter 5 of #CryLikeAMan “The Absence of Affirmation, I share how my father rarely attended my football games—and of all the games for him to attend, it had to be the one when I dropped the game winning touchdown.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“I heard you dropped a touchdown pass” was the first thing out of his mouth. Not “Great catch in the first quarter” or “That block on fifty-seven was legit!” Just the same predictable negativity that refused to see the good in me. Would you believe it took nearly three decades for the Most High to expose what my dad really said?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“I HEARD …”
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
He didn’t even see the play because he wasn’t there. He showed up at the end of the game. He didn’t witness anything I did—good or bad. The speed I used to outpace the DB. Nothing. Just a handful of corrosive words hitting me like acid. Sitting here in my office so many years later, I finally realized what he actually meant. And when I did, all I could do was put my head on my desk and cry. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Father’s—just because you’re not in your son’s home, doesn’t mean you can’t be in his life! Please learn how to #CryLikeAMan so that you can release the toxic emotions and trauma preventing you from being the father he needs.
The Life-Changing Programs
We offer life-changing programs for youth! Keys 2 Life is a mentoring program designed to encourage, educate and empower youth through key principles in the arts. #TheYunion #youth #lovingyouth #youthassistance
Read MoreParents, Did you know?
Parents, Did you know? Recent CDC findings suggest that youth connectedness also has lasting effects. Youth who feel connected at school and at home were found to be as much as 66% less likely to experience health risk behaviors related to sexual health, substance use,…
Read MorePhase 2 of our building Renovations
The Yunion is excited to announce we are moving into Phase 2 of our building renovations. In Phase 2 we will be renovating the 2nd floor which will be utilized as program space for the youth and families we serve. We want to thank The…
Read MoreThe Keys 2 Life Performing Arts Summer Camp today
Hey we’re just checking in to let you know spots are filling fast! Register your child for The Keys 2 Life Performing Arts Summer Camp today. You won’t regret it— Just ask our Keys 2 Life Alumni Keys2lifesummercamp.
Read MoreSupporting Black-Led Nonprofits
Join our Executive Director Nicole Wilson on Wednesday, June 23 as she speaks with Allandra Bulger of Co.act Detroit, Shawn H. Wilson of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, and Terry Whitfield of The Skillman Foundation about supporting Black-led nonprofits. Learn more and register…
Read MoreParents! This is For You
Parents! Have you registered your child for the Yunion’s Keys 2 Life Performing Arts Summer yet? If so, great job mom and or dad your child will love and appreciate you for it. If not, what are you waiting for? Slots are filling up fast,…
Read MoreThe Bullying Prevention
The Yunion in partnership with TBOP productions has produced another film to assist our young people in their journey through adolescence. This film focuses on the effects of bullying and will be used as a bullying prevention tool. This past weekend we finished filming and…
Read MoreParents did you know?
Parents, did you know? Roughly 1-in-4 girls will be pregnant at least once before age 20. The U.S. teen birth rate is at an all-time low. As of 2016, the teen birth rate (20.3 births per 1,000 girls ages 15-to-19) declined 67 percent since its…
Read MoreThe Yunion Student Highlight of the month
Yunion Student Highlight of the month: Robert M. is this month’s Yunion student of the of month. Robert is a participant in Our Partner program JOURNi More Than Code Program. Hear what are staff has to say about Robert’s Progress in our program. “He is…
Read MoreThe Performing Arts Summer Camp
Parents meet our Keys 2 Life Performing Arts Summer Camp Director Mr. Darell Red Campbell Jr. (Known to kids as Mr. Red). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Red is a platinum, stellar-award winning producer, musician, and teacher with a heart for empowering people to find hidden talent and potential…
Read MoreKeys To Life Performing Arts
Parents meet Selah. Selah was a first-time Keys 2 Life Performing Arts camper last year. This is what she had to say about her experience. “Even though it was virtual it was still fun. My favorite class was SWAG (Students With Awareness & Goals) because…
Read MoreFriday Yunion Parent Check-in
Friday Yunion Parent Check-in Camp registration is open! www.keys2lifesummercamp.com
Read MorePick-Me-Up
Parents see what one of our Keys 2 Life Sponsors (Max & Marjorie Fisher Foundation) had to say about our last year’s summer camp. At The Yunion’s “Keys 2 Life” summer camp program, Detroit youth spent their long, warm days engaged in performing arts activities…
Read MoreParent’s This is For You
Parents it’s no secret that sleep plays an important role in good physical and mental health. Sleep deprivation can leave you feeling irritable and exhausted in the short-term, but it can also have serious long-term health consequences as well. Lack of sleep is linked to…
Read MoreBlog Categories
SEARCH THIS BLOG: