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Urbanology
HARLEM COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS URBANOLOGY Changing Lives One Book at a Time
By: W.A. Rogers T he Harlem Restoration Project (HRP) will officially open their bookstore in time to celebrate Black History Month on Saturday February 15th. For over 30 years The Harlem Restoration Project has provided comprehensive services such as a thrift shop; affordable housing; job referrals and development counseling; and vocational and educational
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referrals for ex-offenders and homeless individuals leaving the shelter system navigating the complex re-entry process.
During the early nineties Mayor Koch, and later Mayor Dinkins, acknowledged that people living in the shelter system need more than a place to live; they also needed independent learning skills funds were developed to create programs like HRP. This also is true for ex-offenders HRP has a major focus on assisting men and women who are long-term offenders.
It is difficult to imagine how a 72-year-old person who has been in the prison system for over forty years, with no family or a place to live and only $40.00, can navigate their re-entry process without a great deal of support. Director of HRP Professor Ricky Jones informed me that close to 6,000 ex-offenders re-enter West and Central Harlem each year. Many come to HRP for help and guidance.
The HRP Book Store located at 1980 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd will be an educational resource center for the community, said Professor Jones. The Bookstore and a reading initiative program will be available for young people in local schools, community-based organizations and religious groups. The store will be open to the public Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:00am to 6:00pm I was invited by Professor Jones to be the first author to have a book signing at the HRP Book Store on Saturday February 15 th at 2:00pm and I hope to set a precedent for future authors by donating half of the book sale proceeds to the HRP Reading Initiative.
If you have already purchased my book “The Art of W.A.R. Strategies for Self-Empowerment” on Amazon please stop by on Saturday so I can sign it. If you have not purchased my book, Saturday will be a good opportunity to get the book and support a wonderful and important community organization. I have known Professor Ricky Jones for many years. He is an accomplished martial artist; a senior coordinator of the HARLEM WEEK security team; he has a master’s degree in theology; a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling; and is a certified paralegal. Professor Jones is a faculty member at two private colleges, teaching philosophy, psychology and African History.
Professor Jones was incarcerated for over 12 years. He and Malcolm X are excellent examples of the possibilities a multidisciplinary re-entry support system can manifest. When we talk about prison reform, we must ask the question “if it takes $200,000 per year to keep one person in person; why can’t there be a larger investment in the re-entry system?”
HRP will participate in Harlem Holistic Wellness Week (H2W) from April 25 th to May 2nd (www. H2W.nyc) by encouraging their clients and tenets to attend the wellness expos and events to learn natural wellness and heath options. The organization is also developing a youth martial arts program with the New Breed martial arts organization.
If you would like to learn more about HRP services visit their website atwww.harlemrestoration. org call 212 662-8186 or tune into Professor Ricky Jones on WHCR 90.3 FM every Wednesday from 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Answers to Puzzle on page 28
Dr. George Williams
