Couldn’t relevant stories be used to inspire youth to enjoy reading?

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Romeo Academy Youth

ROMEO Preparatory Academy for Boys, Paris Texas

125sqMFTHbookWhile writing my memoir, Manhood From the Hood, I experienced emotions most memoir writers experience.  How will my story benefit others? Will others relate? There were a multitude of internal directed questions I had to face as a new writer.

One inspirational comment came from a youth I’m mentoring:

“Mr. Roddy, I enjoyed reading your book.  I learn so much more about you and how you were raised.  I was able to relate to all of your stories. I liked your honesty when you shared meeting your biological father for the first time. So many of us young men still struggle with this aspect of our lives. Why don’t you try to see if schools would consider using your book?”

 

Manhood From the Hood has received praise from ROMEO Preparatory Academy for Boys in Paris, Texas under the leadership of David DeWayne Barker, to inspire youth to the value of literacy, reading relevant stories that reflect their lives.

 

Couldn’t hundreds or thousands  more youth be inspired to value literacy while reading relevant life stories?

 

 

Excerpts from Manhood from the Hood

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More from Coach Denny Welter and why he was so inspired by Bill’s stories of grandfather Roddy.

Denny’s father, Ray Welter, believed in the work ethic. Denny grew up on a 160 acre farm and his dad was always telling him and his 2 brothers to get out in the fields and work.  And Dad didn’t mean the baseball field–he meant the corn field.

So the Welter kids developed a hard work ethic from their dad that carried them through the sports they played as well as through the positive life they chose!

26.) Take pride in what you have and don’t worry about keeping up with the Jones’.

27.) Great fathering is a family tradition.

28.) The value of Little League baseball was my life-long friendship with Ernest Leaks.

29.) Respect your elders both within your family and outside of it.

30.) Help each other with class work without being asked.

Excerpts from Manhood from the Hood

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One of Manhood From The Hood’s most enthusiastic fans in Coach Denny Welter!

As we told you last week, Coach Welter has spent a career teaching young people how to use the same life values Bill Roddy’s grandfather shared with Bill when Bill was young.

Coach Welter agrees that sometimes the thoughtful gestures of kindness and support from adults can help a young person thrive:

“My high school basketball coach, Merlyn Kinkel, would give me and the other kids who lived out in the country a ride home from practice. There wasn’t a late bus to take us home in those days. That thoughtful act allowed us to play basketball when we might not otherwise have been able.”

Keep checking in every Monday to read Coach Welter’s Favorite Quotes from Manhood From The Hood!

Thanks Coach!

11.Being at the ballpark created a bond with his grandfather at many levels.

12.Learn to read well.  It is the key to a good education.

13. Never trust anyone outside of our family

14. Take pride in working the fields, producing the crops and reaping the harvest.

15. Take pride in the work you do.

Coach Welter and all of us at Manhood From The Hood would love to see some of YOUR favorite quotes so send them in!

Excerpts from Manhood from the Hood

by Leave a Comment

One of Manhood From The Hood’s most enthusiastic fans in Coach Denny Welter!

As we told you last week, Coach Welter has spent a career teaching young people how to use the same life values Bill Roddy’s grandfather shared with Bill when Bill was young.

Coach Welter wanted to share his commentary with our readers. So check in every Monday to see Coach Welter’s Favorite Quotes from Manhood From The Hood!

Thanks Coach!

6. As a parent, he valued the responsibility of taking care of his family.  His definition of manhood.

7. Be responsible and independent

8. It’s okay to use public assistance during a period of transition in one’s life.

9. Never judge those who live in public housing.

10. Public assistance if made a habit of, could destroy a family’s work ethic.

Coach Welter and all of us at Manhood From The Hood would love to see some of YOUR favorite quotes so send them in!