By Dr. David Asbery Fixing Fathers, Inc.
Sometimes the most meaningful lessons begin before you ever reach the classroom. For a group of young people traveling with Fixing Fathers, Inc., a recent visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. became a lesson in perseverance before they even entered the building. The group quite literally weathered the storm.
Difficult weather conditions, cancellations, and a long day of travel could easily have caused the trip to be postponed or abandoned. Instead, the young people, parents, volunteers, and members of the Fixing Fathers team continued forward.
Once inside the museum, the reason for making the journey became clear. Participants leaned into the experience. They explored exhibits, read stories, asked questions, observed artifacts, and learned about the struggles, contributions, creativity, strength, and resilience of African Americans throughout the nation’s history.
For Fixing Fathers, the trip was about much more than visiting a museum. One of the organization’s central goals is to place young people directly in front of their history and give them opportunities to experience learning beyond the classroom.
When a child stands in front of an exhibit and discovers something he or she never knew before, that moment matters. When a young person begins asking questions about history, identity, sacrifice, leadership, or opportunity, that matters too. If each participant returned home having learned something new, then the Fixing Fathers team considers the experience a success.
The organization extends its deepest gratitude to United Way of Greater New Haven, whose support helped make the trip possible. Fixing Fathers also thanks New Haven Housing Authority, Street 2 Straight, and InnerCity News for continuing to support programs and opportunities that benefit young people and families.