VOLUME 23,NUMBER 10
FREE
JUNE 3, 2017
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews
“Hope & Recovery” mental health forum draws a crowd in Rockdale
Bill Carruthers
By Valerie J. Morgan
B
ill Carruthers started drinking grain alcohol when he was 6 or 7 years old. He spent the next 40 years battling alcoholism and drug addiction and was locked up in jail or prison at least 18 times in Savannah alone for a cycle of criminal behavior. A recovery program helped Carruthers turn his life around. He shared his story before nearly 200 people who attended the “Community Conversations on Mental Health: Hope & Recovery” forum, which was held at the Rockdale Career Academy in Conyers. Doreen Williams, Rockdale’s Post 2 Commissioner, said Carruthers’ message was one that many families who attended the forum needed to hear. Today, he is the program man-
DeKalb pools ready for fun
ager for the Savannah Counseling Peer Program, a figure in National Alliance on Mental Illness and a speaker who travels across the nation sharing his story of recovery. “We invited him (Carruthers) to be our keynote speaker because our theme was Hope & Recovery,” said Williams, who chaired the planning committee. “I had heard him speak at the Capitol during Mental Health Day and I really wanted him to come to Rockdale.” Williams said the forum drew a cross-section of the community. “It was very representative in that it was not only attended by African-Americans, Hispanics and whites, but by mental health advo-
cates, judges, law enforcement, the Rockdale school system, consumers of mental health services—every aspect of the community,” Williams said. Williams said she was especially pleased with the participation from African Americans and Hispanics who do not readily discuss mental health. “The goal of the forum was to educate, raise awareness and reduce the stigma of mental health issues,” said Williams. “Many families are living with these See Mental health forum, page 9
“I AM a Father 5K” set for June 17 in Decatur
D
avid Manuel is preparing to host his third annual DeKalb County’s pools I AM a Father 5K event for opened Memorial Day. The official seasons runs May 27 fitness, family fun and fathers. The event, which will through July 30. Select pools be held at the Porter Sanwill remain open on weekford Performing Arts Center ends through Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4. Residents in Decatur on Fathers’ Day weekend, June 17, focuses are encouraged to splash on health and wellness, youth into summer by visiting a development and mentoring, neighborhood pool. The and family engagement. Department of Recreation, Manuel says the event has Parks and Cultural Affairs also offers various programs expanded and includes an inaugural event that will be held including swim lessons, in his hometown of Birmingwater aerobics and more. ham, AL on June 3, at 8:30 For more information, visit a.m. The race starts at Kelly www.dekalbcountyga.gov/ Ingram Park, winds through downtown parks or contact (770) 414and returns to the park. The festivities 2113. include live entertainment. When the 5K is held in Atlanta on Pool locations and Father’s Day weekend, participants can hours of operation expect a big celebration as well. Stepp Stewart, live entertainment from local • Browns Mill Aquatic artists, vendors, and a Health Expo ofFacility, 4929 Browns Mill fering free screenings are planned. Rd, Lithonia, GA 30038 Last year, more than 500 people DeKalb Pools , page 9 attended the event. Manuel is hoping to
surpass the number this year. Manuel said he launched the 5K with the goal of strengthening families one mile at a time. “You constantly hear that Black men abandon their family; they don’t pay child support, they are abusive or are in jail,” said Manuel. “Although some of this is true, I want to celebrate the fathers for their loving and powerful relationships.”
The event is not only about strengthening families but uniting organizations focused on mentoring male youths and strengthening the family unit. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Let Us Make Man and the Leadership Academy of the DeKalb County Chapter of the 100 Black Men of America. To register for the I Am a Father 5K, visit www.iamafather5k.org.