November 9, 2025 • 39 mins
What does it take to rebuild the village around a family—practically, not just in words? We sat down with Representative Robert Williams to trace the journey from a fatherhood , to a comprehensive Families Engagement Program serving parents, youth, veterans, and seniors across the PEE DEE area. The throughline is simple and powerful: exposure, consistency, and community support can change a household’s trajectory.
We dive into school‑based mentoring where neighbors, not teachers, meet students where they are and open doors to real careers—medicine, broadcasting, public service, and the skilled trades. Sports mentoring in golf, tennis, and basketball becomes a training ground for discipline and teamwork. Monthly workshops focus on relationships, conflict reduction, and social skills that cut through online noise and reduce harmful peer dynamics. The program also champions youth volunteering to reintroduce a service mindset—small acts like carrying groceries or holding a door that rebuild trust and strengthen soft skills employers value.
Money skills anchor long‑term change. We unpack budgeting basics, habits for saving even small amounts, and the path from credit repair to homeownership so families can build equity and legacy. Environmental awareness projects at local schools connect daily choices to community health. And for those who served and those in their golden years, we highlight resources, VA benefits navigation, mental health support, ceremonies that honor service, and practical transportation to medical appointments and activities. With plans for dedicated vans and an annual October golf tournament funding the mission, this is a blueprint for making care visible.
If this vision of a living, working village resonates, share the episode with a friend, subscribe for more conversations like this, and leave a review to help others find the show. What’s one small action you’ll take this week to strengthen a family near you?
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_03 (00:04):
Good evening, everyone.
Welcome to Native Drums.
I'm Jocelia Williams sitting infor Reverend Dr.
Ralph W.
Canty Sr.
here at uh the Savannah GroveBaptist Church.
And here I have today as ourspecial guest, Representative
Robert Williams, House District62.
62.
(00:24):
You got it.
SPEAKER_01 (00:25):
You got it right.
How are you?
I'm doing well, and I hope youare.
SPEAKER_03 (00:28):
I am.
I'm great.
I'm great.
It's wonderful to have you herewith Native Drums.
You're always on the uh radioshow with me over at 105.1.
Uh but um it's great to have youhere today.
SPEAKER_01 (00:41):
I'm happy to be here.
And thank you for the invite.
SPEAKER_03 (00:44):
Oh, you're so welcome.
Now, we want to talk about yourbaby, which is the Families
Engagement Program.
We know that there's a lot ofstuff going on in the State
House, and we may talk a littlebit about that, but I want to
talk about the FamiliesEngagement Program.
And I mean it says empoweringfamilies, building stronger
(01:04):
communities.
So, what motivated you to beginthis program?
SPEAKER_01 (01:09):
Wow.
What a good question.
What a good question.
Well, what happened was backhere in 1998, I started the
Fatherhood and FamiliesEngagement Program here in
Florence.
And basically I was tasked withuh reconnecting fathers back in
the life of their kids throughthe court system.
(01:31):
And we've been pulling young menfrom East Florence, West
Florence, South Florence, NorthFlorence.
And we've been grouping up,coming together, doing
curriculums on ways of takingcare of their kids and taking
care of their families.
And that's where I first got theidea.
(01:52):
I was working at Lee CorrectionInstitution over there at the
prison.
SPEAKER_03 (01:56):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (01:57):
And when I was there, I was a counselor.
I was a drug counselor.
And I ran into a lot of men.
I was in the part of 1,500 guysin the section in it called
Florence.
They got unit, they called theFlorence Unit over at Lee
Correction.
And guys come to me all thetime, you know, when I was
(02:19):
counseling and sharing with mehow they want to get involved in
the life of their kids.
SPEAKER_00 (02:26):
Right.
SPEAKER_01 (02:26):
Yeah.
So once I left the prison, Istarted the Fatherhood and
Families Engagement Program herein Florence here.
So, and just to kind of speedthings up, uh that started in
1998.
I ended up, I was called off towar in 2004.
SPEAKER_03 (02:46):
Oh yes, you are a veteran.
Yeah, I'm a veteran.
Thank you for your service.
SPEAKER_01 (02:49):
Thank you so much.
And 2004, 2005, I've been away,and then I came back.
And as you know, 2008, this theeconomy went south.
And doing that, we wastransitioning, you know, because
when I left, it didn't, itwasn't, when I came back, it was
different.
SPEAKER_00 (03:08):
Right.
SPEAKER_01 (03:08):
The the organization it was, you know, so we had
different people.
It kind of left people incharge, but you know, they don't
take care of things.
Like, you know.
So uh to speed things up, and umseveral years after the the
economy went south, we kind ofkind of kind of shift.
Matter of fact, my office was onCourt Street.
(03:29):
We ended up moving down toFlorence Dollars and Tech, and
that's currently where ouroffice is at now.
Okay.
Uh at Florence Dollars and Tech.
So this became a birth out ofum, I just want to deal with
families.
I want to strengthen families.
I want to make families whole.
And what we did was, you know,we were focusing on fathers
(03:51):
initially.
And but when I went to court,talked to these judges, talked
to these families, talked tothese mothers, we we decided
that we need to open it out tothe entire family.
Instead of just talking to guys,you get their side of it.
But when you go to court, it'sanother is another side of the
story, you know.
And um, so we open it up to theentire family.
(04:14):
So we do serve the entirefamily, the mother, the the
father, as well as the child.
And our focus is really on theyouth in those, in those
households, you know.
SPEAKER_03 (04:25):
Okay, wonderful.
Because it says to empower, toeducate, and equip families in
the PD area and to build healthyrelationships, become
responsible citizens, and fosterself-sufficiency.
So that's a lot of work.
SPEAKER_01 (04:41):
It is, it is.
It's a lot of work, but I thinkif we can get families to the
point where they can support oneanother, take care of one
another within that housestructure, you know, um, and and
giving giving some of theseladies support because, you
know, for for many, many yearsand still now today, women take
(05:02):
take the load.
They carry, they carry the load.
Yes, and you know it.
They carry the load.
So, but just think about howbetter life can be if they had
that additional support withinthat household.
You know, that additionalincome, that additional
emotional support, thatadditional physical and
spiritual support.
(05:22):
How how how would that familylook then?
You know, so so it's alwaysbetter to, you know, to have the
income of two than one.
SPEAKER_03 (05:29):
Yes, yes.
And when all entities areworking together as one unit,
yes, it makes a little lighterfor everybody.
SPEAKER_01 (05:37):
Yes.
And and and it also helped thekid to to to kind of get on some
standing where you know theydon't have to struggle, they
don't have to do all the thingsthat kids do in order to survive
and to make it, you know, makeit in life.
Giving them security.
Exactly.
SPEAKER_03 (05:54):
Security that they need.
So you said that um youthservices is one of your main
focuses.
So I know that you, you and yourum staff or the people that work
with you.
I do know of um uh some of theladies and gentlemen that go
with you to the differentschools.
(06:15):
So let's talk about that, aboutum your visiting, your
visitations to the schools inthe PD.
SPEAKER_01 (06:22):
Okay.
Um, yeah, well, we certainly arein different schools.
We go there to talk with theyouth, um, where they are at,
basically.
But we're there to supply tosupply and to give them
guidance.
We're not teachers.
That's right.
We're community people who arevolunteering our time to go into
(06:43):
schools and to talk with youthabout some of the struggles that
they're having, some of thethings that they are dealing
with, but also to give them thatvillage outlook.
Right.
You know, because we are avillage, and sometimes, you
know, our youth nowadays, youknow, they use social media as
their village, part of theirvillage.
SPEAKER_00 (07:05):
Yes.
SPEAKER_01 (07:06):
But in reality, we have to, you know, back in the
day there was a church, therewas there was the pastor at the
church, there was a school,there was there was the
principal at the school, orcounselor at the school.
In the community, we hadsomebody who was running a
grocery store or something,working in the store, you know,
somebody the neighbors, andneighbors, your neighbors, you
(07:27):
know.
So that community aspect, we wekind of lost, we kind of lost
that because now people don'tknow their neighbors.
You're right.
When one time when I was comingup, you know, our neighbors
helped take care of us.
That's right.
And then when we get out ofline, you know, they put us,
they put us back in check.
Yes, they did.
Yeah, but now, you know, peopledon't even know who living next
(07:48):
door.
SPEAKER_03 (07:49):
You're right.
You're exactly right.
Um, I can remember growing up,we knew the neighbor, everybody
on each block, the block to theleft, the block to the right,
the block in front of, becausewe lived on the corner, the
block in front, and behind us,and on the next street.
That's right.
But now I know my the one, theneighbor next door, and the
(08:09):
neighbor on this side.
SPEAKER_01 (08:10):
Right.
SPEAKER_03 (08:11):
But the rest of the street, I do not know.
SPEAKER_01 (08:13):
Yeah, and I remember years ago when when I was small,
and uh I my father was uh he wasan all-around guy, so we used to
we used to kill hogs.
Okay.
You don't know about that.
No.
We used to kill hogs, and notonly that, we used to farm.
You know, we used to plant beansand peas and corn.
And and and when we do, and whenwe harvest that, when we kill
(08:36):
hogs, we we make sure ourneighbors have you know we share
what we had.
So so um It's like we need to goback to that.
Hey, hey, the way things aregoing today.
Yeah, but those were those werethe good old days where you know
um people share you know whatthey had.
(08:57):
And they didn't have much, butthe little bit they did have,
they share with others.
That's right.
You know, wow.
You know, you you'll be amazedhow uh a bucket of peas or beans
can, you know, do to a familythat don't have anything.
That's right.
You know, so but we came up cameup in that kind of environment.
SPEAKER_03 (09:15):
Right, right.
So what um are the reactions ofthe children when you all go
into the schools to visit?
SPEAKER_01 (09:24):
What you know receive you.
Well, the kids, matter of fact,we we're we just went into
Williams today.
SPEAKER_03 (09:31):
Okay.
SPEAKER_01 (09:32):
And, you know, at first they were a little
apprehensive, but once we didour icebreaker, okay, you know,
kind of get to know them, youknow, share names and you know,
about the person, they theybegin to open up.
Kids, kids are curious, youknow, they may not say much, but
they're they're watching andhearing and listening to
whatever you're saying.
(09:53):
And uh you may think they're notlistening, and they may appear
that they're not listening, butthey are listening to whatever
you say.
And some hear it and some don't.
You know, I I my I took mygrandson with me today.
He's in he's in 11th grade, andI had him to kind of share with
the group.
SPEAKER_02 (10:13):
Oh, great.
SPEAKER_01 (10:13):
Because they're they're close to the age, so
they connect, you know.
That's right.
You know, they can connectbecause in terms of what's going
on in the world.
So, but usually the kids arereceptive, they they they're
open, they want to know.
And and and as I share with themtoday, you know, we're there to
to expose them to the thingsthat that they may not know.
SPEAKER_00 (10:35):
Right.
SPEAKER_01 (10:35):
And I told them today, I said, I wish I had
someone when I was in theseventh and eighth grade to come
by and tell me about thedifferent options of job, career
that I could have gone into.
Right.
Because, you know, you you don'treally, at that age, you really
don't be thinking about thefuture or what or what's what
you want to be or what you wantto do.
(10:55):
Some people, some kids do, butfor the most part, a large
portion of the kids don't evenbe thinking about that.
That's right.
But I, you know, I think if Ihad that opportunity, there's no
telling what I would have been.
I could have been a doctor, Icould have been an engineer, I
could have been a pilot, uh, youknow, uh any any other any other
career options, you know.
But I think as soon as we cangive these kids exposure to
(11:20):
these different career options,and and and and we also do do
that through sports.
SPEAKER_00 (11:26):
Right.
SPEAKER_01 (11:26):
Yeah, we do you know, because we we know that
kids who are in sports have atendency to hear things better.
And and and they you know, theyexercise that through they wanna
they want to trying to pleasetheir coach.
They want to they want to do theright thing, you know.
So we have we have um a piece ofour program deals with the
different sports involvement andjust just giving them the basics
(11:50):
of golfing, you know.
Okay.
The basic of playing tennis, thebasics of playing basketball.
You know, we're not trying tomake them professionals, but we
want to expose them.
And hopefully, you know, whenthey get in high school, they're
they'll end up falling in someof those tracks.
SPEAKER_03 (12:06):
That sounds great.
Um planting that seed.
SPEAKER_01 (12:08):
Planting that seed.
SPEAKER_03 (12:09):
Planting that seed.
SPEAKER_01 (12:10):
Planting that seed.
SPEAKER_03 (12:11):
And I noticed that you um listed golfing first.
Yes.
We'll talk about that.
We'll talk about that laterbefore we uh leave.
But um, yeah, planting that seedis what's needed and the
exposure.
SPEAKER_01 (12:26):
Exactly.
SPEAKER_03 (12:26):
You're right, you're right.
Um so I see here uh in your coreservices for youth, you have um
fitness and training, as yousaid, which represents your your
sports mentoring, guiding it, sothat's when you're going into
the schools.
What other different umactivities that you may have
over the course of the year foryoung people where you can
(12:49):
mentor them or they can come andbe active in a situation?
SPEAKER_01 (12:53):
Well, well, well, I just told our staff that, you
know, coming up, maybe we maybewe're gonna start this beginning
of the year, but each month Iwanna I wanna do a workshop or
seminar for our youth onsomething that um they may not
know, something they may know.
But bring in the experts to tothat deals with these issues
(13:15):
that that we're gonna be talkingabout from month to month.
Do a do a little breakfast withthem, just to kind of do a
little social ming mingling andand kind of get to know them and
get and and them get to knoweach other.
But I think we need to make sureour kids know each other.
And I think that's veryimportant at an early age,
(13:36):
because if they don't, theybecome they become fighting
against each other.
You know, we we we've beenhaving some shootings and all
around us, you know, justrecently, within the last week
or two, you know.
Um so I think we have to teachour kids how to get along.
We we talk about relationships,how to build stronger
(13:57):
relationships, not only withyour family, with people outside
of your family.
That's right.
You gotta be able to socialize,you know.
And and I know sometimes thesocial media is not a good place
to do that, but it is there andand and we have to make good of
it, you know, because socialmedia can be good or bad.
(14:18):
It all depends on what side ofthe fence you are.
That's right.
So, you know, because so we wantto we need to teach our kids um
how to get along, how to worktogether, how to work as a team
in order to accomplish certaingoals.
SPEAKER_03 (14:32):
Right, right.
So now here I see you have youthvolunteer programs where you
encourage the youth to give backto the community and gaining
valuable work experience.
Let's talk about that.
SPEAKER_01 (14:42):
Yeah, well, you know, I I think it's important,
it's very important that weteach our kids they don't have
to get paid for everything theydo.
SPEAKER_03 (14:51):
That's right, yes, that's right.
SPEAKER_01 (14:53):
You know, we, you know, we you know, we're coming
up in a money society, but wehave to we have to train them
and give them those skillssaying that look, for every task
you do, mama shouldn't have topay you to take out the trash.
Mama shouldn't have to have topay you to pick up your clothes,
your dirty clothes, and put themin in the dirty dumpster.
(15:14):
But there's responsibility thatwe have to really charge our
kids with in terms of teachingthem to give back.
And and not only not only insideof the house of giving back, but
outside of the house.
Do something for somebody.
Help some lady to take hergroceries to her car.
Right.
Open the car door, open the doorto the to the store.
(15:35):
You you seeing you seeingsomeone walking in into the
store, let them walk first.
Open the door and let her go infirst.
You know, you don't have to bethe first one in and and don't
even hold the door.
Just basic things that we donekind of kind of got away from as
a society and as human beings,you know.
Um, we just kind of forgot aboutwhat we should be doing.
SPEAKER_03 (15:58):
Just teaching them basic manners.
SPEAKER_01 (16:00):
Basic, basic manners, basic manners, basic
respect, you know?
Yes.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (16:05):
Yes, yes.
So this is good, this is good.
Now let's go to our communityprograms.
Financial literacy, oh mygoodness.
I financial literacy is needed.
I found that a young among ouryoung men, um, that financial
literacy, at least I have I umrun into a couple of situations
(16:30):
lately with young men who needthat financial literacy.
They it's like they they can'tgrasp what it is that they need
to do in order to line theirfinances up.
SPEAKER_01 (16:45):
Yeah, well, I think I think our problem as young
men, especially young blackmales, is just that, you know,
we don't understand budgeting.
You know, we just don't knowwhat it is because we we spend,
we buy, we purchase, and wespend and we we get, but
whatever we get, we spend.
(17:06):
So I think I think there aretimes when we just spend what we
have without trying to, youknow, let it last so that we
can, you know, always havesomething, but we'll spend all
we have, and then you know, soand and money has become an
object where folks want it moreand more, especially when you
(17:29):
don't have it.
Especially when kids see otherkids have it and they don't have
it, they want it and they wantto try to get it.
So I think and and and and Iknow that writing checks, that's
basic stuff, like writing checksor using a debit card, you know,
sometimes our kids just don'tknow because we haven't really
been taught the basics of how tohandle money in in a greater
(17:53):
sense.
SPEAKER_03 (17:53):
Right, right, right.
So this is good able to train umthe children, train families how
to manage their money, budget tobuild wealth for themselves and
for their families.
Um even um like the person mymom, and I was talking to um, I
think I was talking to Cashabout this, how my mom she
(18:17):
didn't tell me, but she showedme my example as to how to um
have something for the legacies.
Right, you know, and so um at uhwhen she passed, all of my
children had land or money orsomething that she left to them
(18:39):
as well as myself.
So she showed me by example whatI needed to do.
So now, praise God, I'm tryingto work on that for my
grandbabies.
The same thing.
So I think that if we as adultswould um embrace that teaching
and begin, even if you don'ttalk to the children, but we we
(19:00):
do need to talk to them, butshow them by example as um to
what it is that needs to bedone, even with saving.
Yeah, and you know, um, becausesome of us, if you save five
dollars a week, you know, you'llbe surprised what you know what
you and that's so important.
SPEAKER_01 (19:19):
That's so important, but but we don't do enough of
it.
Yeah, you know.
Some of us do it, don't get mewrong.
That's right.
Some of us some some folks doit, but you know, when you don't
have, you don't have.
And it's hard to do it when youdon't have.
SPEAKER_03 (19:35):
You don't have.
You're right, you're right,because I've been there too.
SPEAKER_01 (19:37):
Yeah, so so but if you have, you gotta know how how
to do it.
And it's always good to to see asermon than to hear one.
SPEAKER_03 (19:46):
Yeah, yeah, yes.
SPEAKER_01 (19:50):
So your your mom showed you a sermon, you know,
then then told you about one.
But you know, so so we learnmore by by doing, by doing than
than than we hear.
So, so that's that's that was agreat, that was a great example
that you just shared.
That kids can benefit from.
But if but everybody don't havea mother like yours, you know,
(20:14):
and everybody's not you.
So, you know, you know, so sotherefore that means you know,
it go it goes lacking.
It goes lacking when you don'thave when you don't have that.
SPEAKER_03 (20:24):
And that's where that that um instruction comes
in.
Because even if you can say 50cents, you know?
Yeah, yeah.
Now, rebuilding credit and homeownership.
That's one of your other entityprograms you have on here.
SPEAKER_01 (20:41):
Yeah, well, we you know, one of the things that
we're facing within ourcommunities is that we do a lot
of renting instead of owning.
You know, we you know, we renttrailers, we rent houses, you
know.
And we don't own those things.
You know, we we have to put ourposition in, uh ourselves in the
(21:03):
position of start starting toown stuff.
But you can't, you just like yousaid in the earlier, you can
it's it's gonna be verydifficult to own when you're
spending everything you got.
SPEAKER_00 (21:15):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (21:16):
You know, it it takes, you know, and if you're
not in it for a long period oftime, you know.
Um so so it's so important to tomake sure that, you know, when
we're talking about homeownership and and stuff like
that, you got to have a goal.
You got to set, you got to setgoals and and and work towards
those goals, you know.
(21:36):
Right.
Because a lot of times we'llwe'll start something, but we
won't finish.
Oh, we'll make a good start now.
We'll we'll we'll you know,we'll do about we'll we'll we'll
we'll start on it, we'll startpaying for a house for about 15
years, and after 15, 20 years,then we wanna we wanna, oh man,
I need to do somethingdifferent.
But that's the time you reallyneed to stick and stay because
(21:58):
you don't have a 30-yearmortgage.
You know, you got 25, and if youand if you be consistent and
double pay it, you can even payit off before the 30 years.
So so we have to teachownership.
We have to, you know, help folksto realize that they can own
these things instead of justrenting these things from from
others.
SPEAKER_03 (22:18):
Yes, yes.
All right.
Now, you I everyone, they haveso many different programs.
Here's the family, safe drivingclasses, an environmental
awareness and protection.
Now, that environmentalawareness, that's something that
um our government is not reallypro environment.
SPEAKER_01 (22:41):
Yeah, yeah.
Well, I I yeah.
And what we did was um, and ifyou ever have a chance to go to
Dollarton Middle School, we havean outside um uh we have an
outside piece where we we wedeal with the environment.
And it falls under, you know, Ikind of started it and and and
broader future is is the name ofthe organization that that kind
(23:04):
of helps run that.
Dr.
Dr.
Frederick, uh Jim Frederickactually kind of spearhead that
um over here at at theDollington Middle School.
But but the environmental theenvironment is very important.
I know different people havedifferent views about the
environment, but I believe thatif we can take care of our
(23:26):
environment, that means we canlive longer.
Not only that, we can the earthcan, you know, be consistent,
but when we start destroying ourenvironment by any means, and
that's why I hate when peoplejust literally throw paper down
on the ground, a uh soda cap onthe ground, you know, who they
expecting to pick it up?
(23:47):
Who who you gonna pay to pick itup, you know?
And then we worry about taxes,because well, if you're gonna if
you're gonna be throwing thisdown, somebody gotta somebody
gotta pick it up.
But the thing is, you know, withthat in mind, you know, when we
throw things down on the ground,when we trash our places or
trash our highways, somebody,somebody gotta go around and and
(24:10):
pick that up.
If not, the animals will startpicking it up and eating it.
And they'll die from theprocess, you know, within large
stuff in their system, you know,and and and and you'll see them
pass, you know, you'll see themdying eventually out.
The fishes in the in the water,you know, uh the the birds, you
(24:31):
know.
SPEAKER_03 (24:32):
The squirrels, hold on the squirrels, because
something's going on with thesesquirrels.
They are not as healthy as theyused to be.
I've watched them.
SPEAKER_01 (24:42):
I'm telling you, so they're they're getting they're
getting they're eating some ofthe stuff that we we just throw
out, which is not good for them.
SPEAKER_03 (24:50):
Oh my goodness.
So um teaching families how toprotect the environment, that's
great.
And you did talk about job umjob training um previously, uh a
little bit.
You talked a little bit on that.
So how do you all um facilitatethat?
SPEAKER_01 (25:09):
The job training?
Yes.
Well, basically through theexposure, you know, we um we
want to try to work with thekids or have them to be with,
you know, for example, if theywant to, if if if a kid wants to
be a doctor or dentist, yeah,you know, we would try to
connect them with just sittingin the, you know, just walking
(25:32):
with them throughout the day,just to kind of get exposed of
what dentist, what, what, youknow, and almost, and I know I
know the different schools do itum once or twice a year, where
they allow the student to to gowhere where the profession is
at.
SPEAKER_03 (25:48):
They do because they come to the radio station.
Oh, okay.
So you have and I spend theyspend the day, you know, several
hours.
So I'll let them produce theproduce a segment.
Okay, okay.
And I'll play it on the radio onSaturdays.
Yes, yeah.
So so exactly.
SPEAKER_01 (26:02):
So that's that's the kind of mirroring we are trying
to do and and and to try to sokids can get the real live
experience in on on what theyreally want to do in life, what
they want to be.
SPEAKER_03 (26:15):
Yeah, that's like um going to the shadowing, go into
the state house and spend acouple of things.
SPEAKER_01 (26:21):
Yes, yes, yes.
SPEAKER_03 (26:22):
Yes, yes, in the legislature.
Sure.
SPEAKER_01 (26:24):
To get a feel of what's going on, what's
happening, and and and how theprocess works.
SPEAKER_03 (26:29):
Right, that's right, that's right, and that's good.
That's good.
Now, veterans and seniors, youhave programs for veterans.
Of course, you have programs foryour veterans because you are a
veteran.
I am a veteran.
I am a veteran.
SPEAKER_01 (26:41):
Yeah, so I'm a combat veteran at that.
SPEAKER_03 (26:44):
Wow.
That's awesome, that's awesome.
So let's talk about that, theveterans and senior programs
that you have.
Okay.
SPEAKER_01 (26:54):
Well, you know, as I say, I'm a combat veteran.
Um and and and after I came backfrom the war in 2005, you know,
some of the guys that thatserved with me actually
committed suicide.
SPEAKER_03 (27:09):
Oh my.
SPEAKER_01 (27:10):
Um, because it it was hard for them to readjust to
our community after afterspending 18 months in in you
know, in an environment wherethey had to, you know, they had
to kind of try to live.
Oh wow.
So and and and and as you know,veterans have one of the highest
(27:32):
suicide rates in in in thecountry.
You know, veterans, you know.
Um because it it it's hard, youknow, when they get over there
and when we're in combat, webecome really, really family.
We really become really family,you know, because we depend on
each other for the next day.
You know.
Our life depends on one another.
(27:53):
I can't even imagine it.
To live the next day, you know.
And and you have to have someonewho's really gonna protect your
interest throughout the night,throughout the day, you know.
So we become real close familyin that type environment.
And um, and when, and when, andwhen we came back, it was just
(28:15):
so hard for some of them toreadjust back.
And they, and and sometimes,matter of fact, when I was over
there, you know, we had to sendsome home because they wasn't
fit for battle.
Oh.
Because they were thinking abouthome, their minds back here in
the States, and we were overthere fighting a war.
Oh, wow.
So they can make big mistakes.
(28:36):
Big mistakes and put us, puteverybody else in danger.
That's right.
So, so um, but anyway, so wewant to, what we do actually, we
have a chance of talking toveterans, trying to get veterans
involved, trying to help themwith their with their benefits.
Um we we we connect them withthe right resources that they
(28:56):
need.
SPEAKER_00 (28:56):
Okay.
SPEAKER_01 (28:57):
You know, and kind of explain to them some of the
services and benefits that theycan receive just by being a
veteran.
Uh many, many, many of us sufferwith PDSD, you know, you know.
Um it go it goes and comes, butcertainly those are the things
that we want to try to helpeducate our veterans on.
The VA has a a plethora ofbenefits.
(29:21):
But if you don't know, you don'tgo.
But you right.
So if you don't know, you justsuffer and and and never receive
the benefits that that theyhave.
So what we are doing, we'retrying to um share that
information with our veteransand kind of help them in the
process, even uh through throughtheir filing of claims and stuff
(29:42):
like that.
You know, so we have we havethose connections and have
people in place to help them.
SPEAKER_03 (29:48):
Oh, that's wonderful.
That's wonderful.
And last but not least, ourseniors.
SPEAKER_01 (29:54):
Our seniors well, yeah, our seniors are, you know.
SPEAKER_03 (29:58):
You do have some seniors um helping.
You and volunteer.
Yes, yes.
Yes, yes, yes.
SPEAKER_01 (30:05):
That's cool.
Sure, sure.
Well, seniors and babies.
Okay.
That's my high screen.
Well, you know, because youknow, they say um um once adult,
twice a child.
SPEAKER_03 (30:21):
My my son tried to pull that on me on on Saturday
at the PCAF store.
Tried to pull that on me.
You know what I told him?
I said, back at you.
He has children too.
SPEAKER_01 (30:36):
Yeah.
Yeah, well, you know, seniorsare special people, you know.
Right.
Once you once you live to be acertain age, you know, um, I
think I think the quality oflife should be there for you.
I I think people who are seniorsshouldn't have to struggle and
and do the things that they doto just to survive, just to live
their last golden years in inagony.
(31:00):
You know.
You know, I I just think that umlife is full of of happiness,
you know, and and so what andwhat we do, we you know, we
visit some of the senior places,senior centers.
Matter of fact, um we we visit,you know, we there's some
veterans in some of the seniorcenters that we'll plan programs
(31:21):
for veterans' day.
As Veterans Day comes up, youknow, we'll be out doing
different ceremonies anddifferent programs with with
with veterans, they're veterans,but also they're they're
seniors, you know, they'resenior individuals.
And I just think that, you know,it it's the community um
responsibility to help take careof our elderly.
SPEAKER_00 (31:43):
That's right.
SPEAKER_01 (31:44):
You know, um for those who taking care of us.
So the least that we can do isto take care of them.
And I I told my mom, when my mymom passed away about four,
about four years ago.
And um, and uh she always said,uh, um, y'all put me in the
nursing home.
No, no, no.
Well, you know, we don't dothat.
(32:04):
We don't do that here, you know.
Even though she felt that if shegoes in a nursing home, she'd
give up, she w she alleviate thehardship on us.
But but she took care of us whenwe when we couldn't take care of
ourselves.
So why why would we want to puther in a nursing home when she
can't take care of herself?
So I we ended up, me and mybrothers, we ended up taking
(32:25):
care of our mom at the house.
Oh wonderful.
Yeah, until until her last day.
Matter of fact, she yeah, to herlast day, we we uh we were there
to support her and her in her.
SPEAKER_03 (32:36):
Well, I'm with you on that.
I did the same thing.
SPEAKER_01 (32:38):
Yes, yes, yes.
But everybody don't have thatthat that that mindset to do so
of their parents.
You know?
After all these years, yourparents, you know, raised you
and did the best that they couldfor you, and then once they get
to the point where they can'treally take care of themselves,
(32:59):
we want to stick them in aplace.
SPEAKER_03 (33:01):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Like you say, they don't havethat mindset, and you can even
find siblings, you'll find onethat'll have that mindset, and
the others, one or two of themmay come and help you.
SPEAKER_01 (33:15):
Then there are others who won't even look your
way, or you know, I don't havetime, or that's just the the the
per individuality of people andhow they think, how they and you
would think family would be moresuccinct in terms of decision
(33:35):
like that.
Yes, because you're right,you're right.
But but you're right.
It just they're they're they'redifferent.
SPEAKER_03 (33:42):
I was my mom's only child, so it was all on me,
which was fine.
Yes, yes, yes.
And you did it with Grace.
Uh, yes, and then I had mygrandbaby, my um my children
there.
So they helped too, and my auntwould come down from Washington
and help as well.
Okay, that's good.
We um we did it together.
That's good.
SPEAKER_01 (34:01):
That's good.
And that's what family's allabout.
SPEAKER_03 (34:03):
Yes.
SPEAKER_01 (34:04):
Supporting each other when we need you, when
they need you.
SPEAKER_03 (34:07):
Amen.
Amen.
So families remember that.
That's what it's about.
Supporting each other whenyou're in need, when you're in
need.
Uh yes, because see here youinclude transportation, you take
them to the medical appointmentsand go grocery shopping for two.
SPEAKER_01 (34:22):
Yeah, we we we we we transport when whenever we need
to.
Yes, you know.
Um matter of fact, and I wasjust sharing with the guys, you
know, we're we're gonna at somepoint, we're gonna purchase us,
like I told them we need topurchase at least two vans.
SPEAKER_00 (34:36):
Right.
SPEAKER_01 (34:36):
Just for transport, you know.
Um, we can use one for ouryouth, and we can use the other
for seniors.
For seniors.
Right, yeah.
So, because there are there areyouth who can't get to their
practice or sports.
If they're playing stuff, youknow, you know, the family just
they don't play, and they'regood at at playing, it's just
(34:57):
that they can't, they don't havetransportation.
That's it, that's it.
And the same for for for seniorswho may need to go to the
doctor, or if and the familycannot really take them, but
they do they really need to go.
They instead of missingappointments, if they let us
know, we'll be able to kind ofget them there.
SPEAKER_03 (35:14):
That's great.
That's great.
Now, before we go, let's talkabout your golf tournament.
Oh.
It's every year, it's an annualthing in October, right?
Yes.
So we just how you heard aboutthat.
Oh, you know.
You got ears in the back of yourhead.
I heard it every day at work.
(35:34):
Which was awesome.
I think Mark, um Mark did agreat job.
SPEAKER_01 (35:41):
I'm just telling you, he's a great guy.
He did a good job.
You know, we had a blast.
We um we were targeted for 25teams.
We had 23 teams.
Okay, that's good.
So it was a good crowd.
We had a we we really had aphenomenal time.
That's one.
Yeah, we we really did.
And um, so and everybody waswell pleased, and the golf
(36:02):
course was really nice.
And the day, you couldn't payfor a day like that because the
day was so beautiful.
Oh wow.
It was so beautiful.
The weather, you know.
That morning we started out, weteed out, we teed up around
8.15, but it was a little chillycoming up.
But before by 10, 11 o'clock,you was taking off your jacket
if you had one on, you know,you're just coming out of it.
(36:24):
But it was a real, real good uhgolf uh tournament.
And certainly I I I thanked allthe all the vendors and all the
sponsors who really helped uspull this through.
Yes.
So we had a really great time.
SPEAKER_03 (36:38):
Great, wonderful.
And that was a support of afamily's engagement program.
SPEAKER_01 (36:43):
Exactly.
SPEAKER_03 (36:44):
Exactly.
SPEAKER_01 (36:44):
Well, speaking of that, you know, I I bought you a
shirt because I want to makesure I wanted to make sure you
wear it now.
You gotta, you can't just get auh a golf shirt without wearing
it.
That is that is our emblem.
Oh, how nice engagement program.
And as you can see, the family.
SPEAKER_03 (37:02):
Yeah, that's right.
Yeah.
This is so nice.
SPEAKER_01 (37:05):
And that's supposed to be a cross.
SPEAKER_03 (37:06):
It is, I was about to say that.
SPEAKER_01 (37:08):
It's a cross, but the other portion is the it
should be a hand.
See, if you look at that, that'sthe hand that holding the family
together.
SPEAKER_03 (37:16):
My goodness.
Oh, thank you so much.
SPEAKER_01 (37:20):
And I also bought one for Dr.
Canty.
Okay.
I can't leave him up.
Okay.
Because the last time I saw him,I saw him at at the funeral of
um um who funeral was it?
It was at idea funeral home ofmy good friend um.
SPEAKER_03 (37:36):
Um Allen?
Garnett Allen?
SPEAKER_01 (37:37):
Garnet Allen.
Yeah, Garnet was my friend.
He was a good friend of mine,and uh I saw Dr.
Kennedy there.
SPEAKER_03 (37:44):
There.
Well, I'll make sure that hegets this.
Please do.
Thank you so much, and I'm gonnaput mine on tomorrow.
Okay.
SPEAKER_00 (37:49):
Now, when you put it on, you gotta do it.
Okay, send it to me to verifyand not and I need to send it, I
need to send it out on my socialmedia and say, look.
Well, I will do that.
SPEAKER_03 (38:05):
Okay.
I will do that.
Oh, and this has been enjoyable.
Well, thank you.
Thank you so much, and you haveum really enlightened us on the
family's engagement program.
And so if anyone um needs totalk with you in reference to
this, how can they get incontact with it?
SPEAKER_01 (38:22):
Well, certainly, um Tony Stevenson is our executive
director.
Okay.
Um, and and pretty much he cananswer any of your questions or
anything that you may have.
But they can contact us atfamilyengagement.com.
Okay.
It's a website, you know, we'vegot a website, but also they can
call the office.
The office number is 843 4132790.
SPEAKER_00 (38:47):
Okay.
SPEAKER_01 (38:48):
And there's a young lady there named Effie Tempsen
who will answer the phone, whowill be glad to speak with you
on any matters about about theorganization or about anything
that that you have questions on.
SPEAKER_03 (39:01):
Okay, wonderful, wonderful.
Well, thank you so much forcoming to to spend time with us
here at Native Drums.
SPEAKER_01 (39:08):
Well, thank you.
SPEAKER_03 (39:08):
And um, I'll look forward to you coming to my
radio show so we can talk aboutwhat's going on in the
legislature.
All right.
SPEAKER_01 (39:15):
Well, I'll be happy, more than happy to.
SPEAKER_03 (39:17):
All right, all right.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Thank you, everyone, for joiningus here at Native Drums.
This is Jocelia Williams sittingin for the Reverend Dr.
Ralph W.
Canty here at the Savannah GroveBaptist Church.
Good evening, everyone.
Welcome to Native Drums.
I'm Jocelia Williams sitting infor Reverend Dr.
Ralph W.
Canty Sr.
here at uh the Savannah GroveBaptist Church.
And here I have today as ourspecial guest, Representative
Robert Williams, House District62.
62.
(00:24):
You got it.
SPEAKER_01 (00:25):
You got it right.
How are you?
I'm doing well, and I hope youare.
SPEAKER_03 (00:28):
I am.
I'm great.
I'm great.
It's wonderful to have you herewith Native Drums.
You're always on the uh radioshow with me over at 105.1.
Uh but um it's great to have youhere today.
SPEAKER_01 (00:41):
I'm happy to be here.
And thank you for the invite.
SPEAKER_03 (00:44):
Oh, you're so welcome.
Now, we want to talk about yourbaby, which is the Families
Engagement Program.
We know that there's a lot ofstuff going on in the State
House, and we may talk a littlebit about that, but I want to
talk about the FamiliesEngagement Program.
And I mean it says empoweringfamilies, building stronger
(01:04):
communities.
So, what motivated you to beginthis program?
SPEAKER_01 (01:09):
Wow.
What a good question.
What a good question.
Well, what happened was backhere in 1998, I started the
Fatherhood and FamiliesEngagement Program here in
Florence.
And basically I was tasked withuh reconnecting fathers back in
the life of their kids throughthe court system.
(01:31):
And we've been pulling young menfrom East Florence, West
Florence, South Florence, NorthFlorence.
And we've been grouping up,coming together, doing
curriculums on ways of takingcare of their kids and taking
care of their families.
And that's where I first got theidea.
(01:52):
I was working at Lee CorrectionInstitution over there at the
prison.
SPEAKER_03 (01:56):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (01:57):
And when I was there, I was a counselor.
I was a drug counselor.
And I ran into a lot of men.
I was in the part of 1,500 guysin the section in it called
Florence.
They got unit, they called theFlorence Unit over at Lee
Correction.
And guys come to me all thetime, you know, when I was
(02:19):
counseling and sharing with mehow they want to get involved in
the life of their kids.
SPEAKER_00 (02:26):
Right.
SPEAKER_01 (02:26):
Yeah.
So once I left the prison, Istarted the Fatherhood and
Families Engagement Program herein Florence here.
So, and just to kind of speedthings up, uh that started in
1998.
I ended up, I was called off towar in 2004.
SPEAKER_03 (02:46):
Oh yes, you are a veteran.
Yeah, I'm a veteran.
Thank you for your service.
SPEAKER_01 (02:49):
Thank you so much.
And 2004, 2005, I've been away,and then I came back.
And as you know, 2008, this theeconomy went south.
And doing that, we wastransitioning, you know, because
when I left, it didn't, itwasn't, when I came back, it was
different.
SPEAKER_00 (03:08):
Right.
SPEAKER_01 (03:08):
The the organization it was, you know, so we had
different people.
It kind of left people incharge, but you know, they don't
take care of things.
Like, you know.
So uh to speed things up, and umseveral years after the the
economy went south, we kind ofkind of kind of shift.
Matter of fact, my office was onCourt Street.
(03:29):
We ended up moving down toFlorence Dollars and Tech, and
that's currently where ouroffice is at now.
Okay.
Uh at Florence Dollars and Tech.
So this became a birth out ofum, I just want to deal with
families.
I want to strengthen families.
I want to make families whole.
And what we did was, you know,we were focusing on fathers
(03:51):
initially.
And but when I went to court,talked to these judges, talked
to these families, talked tothese mothers, we we decided
that we need to open it out tothe entire family.
Instead of just talking to guys,you get their side of it.
But when you go to court, it'sanother is another side of the
story, you know.
And um, so we open it up to theentire family.
(04:14):
So we do serve the entirefamily, the mother, the the
father, as well as the child.
And our focus is really on theyouth in those, in those
households, you know.
SPEAKER_03 (04:25):
Okay, wonderful.
Because it says to empower, toeducate, and equip families in
the PD area and to build healthyrelationships, become
responsible citizens, and fosterself-sufficiency.
So that's a lot of work.
SPEAKER_01 (04:41):
It is, it is.
It's a lot of work, but I thinkif we can get families to the
point where they can support oneanother, take care of one
another within that housestructure, you know, um, and and
giving giving some of theseladies support because, you
know, for for many, many yearsand still now today, women take
(05:02):
take the load.
They carry, they carry the load.
Yes, and you know it.
They carry the load.
So, but just think about howbetter life can be if they had
that additional support withinthat household.
You know, that additionalincome, that additional
emotional support, thatadditional physical and
spiritual support.
(05:22):
How how how would that familylook then?
You know, so so it's alwaysbetter to, you know, to have the
income of two than one.
SPEAKER_03 (05:29):
Yes, yes.
And when all entities areworking together as one unit,
yes, it makes a little lighterfor everybody.
SPEAKER_01 (05:37):
Yes.
And and and it also helped thekid to to to kind of get on some
standing where you know theydon't have to struggle, they
don't have to do all the thingsthat kids do in order to survive
and to make it, you know, makeit in life.
Giving them security.
Exactly.
SPEAKER_03 (05:54):
Security that they need.
So you said that um youthservices is one of your main
focuses.
So I know that you, you and yourum staff or the people that work
with you.
I do know of um uh some of theladies and gentlemen that go
with you to the differentschools.
(06:15):
So let's talk about that, aboutum your visiting, your
visitations to the schools inthe PD.
SPEAKER_01 (06:22):
Okay.
Um, yeah, well, we certainly arein different schools.
We go there to talk with theyouth, um, where they are at,
basically.
But we're there to supply tosupply and to give them
guidance.
We're not teachers.
That's right.
We're community people who arevolunteering our time to go into
(06:43):
schools and to talk with youthabout some of the struggles that
they're having, some of thethings that they are dealing
with, but also to give them thatvillage outlook.
Right.
You know, because we are avillage, and sometimes, you
know, our youth nowadays, youknow, they use social media as
their village, part of theirvillage.
SPEAKER_00 (07:05):
Yes.
SPEAKER_01 (07:06):
But in reality, we have to, you know, back in the
day there was a church, therewas there was the pastor at the
church, there was a school,there was there was the
principal at the school, orcounselor at the school.
In the community, we hadsomebody who was running a
grocery store or something,working in the store, you know,
somebody the neighbors, andneighbors, your neighbors, you
(07:27):
know.
So that community aspect, we wekind of lost, we kind of lost
that because now people don'tknow their neighbors.
You're right.
When one time when I was comingup, you know, our neighbors
helped take care of us.
That's right.
And then when we get out ofline, you know, they put us,
they put us back in check.
Yes, they did.
Yeah, but now, you know, peopledon't even know who living next
(07:48):
door.
SPEAKER_03 (07:49):
You're right.
You're exactly right.
Um, I can remember growing up,we knew the neighbor, everybody
on each block, the block to theleft, the block to the right,
the block in front of, becausewe lived on the corner, the
block in front, and behind us,and on the next street.
That's right.
But now I know my the one, theneighbor next door, and the
(08:09):
neighbor on this side.
SPEAKER_01 (08:10):
Right.
SPEAKER_03 (08:11):
But the rest of the street, I do not know.
SPEAKER_01 (08:13):
Yeah, and I remember years ago when when I was small,
and uh I my father was uh he wasan all-around guy, so we used to
we used to kill hogs.
Okay.
You don't know about that.
No.
We used to kill hogs, and notonly that, we used to farm.
You know, we used to plant beansand peas and corn.
And and and when we do, and whenwe harvest that, when we kill
(08:36):
hogs, we we make sure ourneighbors have you know we share
what we had.
So so um It's like we need to goback to that.
Hey, hey, the way things aregoing today.
Yeah, but those were those werethe good old days where you know
um people share you know whatthey had.
(08:57):
And they didn't have much, butthe little bit they did have,
they share with others.
That's right.
You know, wow.
You know, you you'll be amazedhow uh a bucket of peas or beans
can, you know, do to a familythat don't have anything.
That's right.
You know, so but we came up cameup in that kind of environment.
SPEAKER_03 (09:15):
Right, right.
So what um are the reactions ofthe children when you all go
into the schools to visit?
SPEAKER_01 (09:24):
What you know receive you.
Well, the kids, matter of fact,we we're we just went into
Williams today.
SPEAKER_03 (09:31):
Okay.
SPEAKER_01 (09:32):
And, you know, at first they were a little
apprehensive, but once we didour icebreaker, okay, you know,
kind of get to know them, youknow, share names and you know,
about the person, they theybegin to open up.
Kids, kids are curious, youknow, they may not say much, but
they're they're watching andhearing and listening to
whatever you're saying.
(09:53):
And uh you may think they're notlistening, and they may appear
that they're not listening, butthey are listening to whatever
you say.
And some hear it and some don't.
You know, I I my I took mygrandson with me today.
He's in he's in 11th grade, andI had him to kind of share with
the group.
SPEAKER_02 (10:13):
Oh, great.
SPEAKER_01 (10:13):
Because they're they're close to the age, so
they connect, you know.
That's right.
You know, they can connectbecause in terms of what's going
on in the world.
So, but usually the kids arereceptive, they they they're
open, they want to know.
And and and as I share with themtoday, you know, we're there to
to expose them to the thingsthat that they may not know.
SPEAKER_00 (10:35):
Right.
SPEAKER_01 (10:35):
And I told them today, I said, I wish I had
someone when I was in theseventh and eighth grade to come
by and tell me about thedifferent options of job, career
that I could have gone into.
Right.
Because, you know, you you don'treally, at that age, you really
don't be thinking about thefuture or what or what's what
you want to be or what you wantto do.
(10:55):
Some people, some kids do, butfor the most part, a large
portion of the kids don't evenbe thinking about that.
That's right.
But I, you know, I think if Ihad that opportunity, there's no
telling what I would have been.
I could have been a doctor, Icould have been an engineer, I
could have been a pilot, uh, youknow, uh any any other any other
career options, you know.
But I think as soon as we cangive these kids exposure to
(11:20):
these different career options,and and and and we also do do
that through sports.
SPEAKER_00 (11:26):
Right.
SPEAKER_01 (11:26):
Yeah, we do you know, because we we know that
kids who are in sports have atendency to hear things better.
And and and they you know, theyexercise that through they wanna
they want to trying to pleasetheir coach.
They want to they want to do theright thing, you know.
So we have we have um a piece ofour program deals with the
different sports involvement andjust just giving them the basics
(11:50):
of golfing, you know.
Okay.
The basic of playing tennis, thebasics of playing basketball.
You know, we're not trying tomake them professionals, but we
want to expose them.
And hopefully, you know, whenthey get in high school, they're
they'll end up falling in someof those tracks.
SPEAKER_03 (12:06):
That sounds great.
Um planting that seed.
SPEAKER_01 (12:08):
Planting that seed.
SPEAKER_03 (12:09):
Planting that seed.
SPEAKER_01 (12:10):
Planting that seed.
SPEAKER_03 (12:11):
And I noticed that you um listed golfing first.
Yes.
We'll talk about that.
We'll talk about that laterbefore we uh leave.
But um, yeah, planting that seedis what's needed and the
exposure.
SPEAKER_01 (12:26):
Exactly.
SPEAKER_03 (12:26):
You're right, you're right.
Um so I see here uh in your coreservices for youth, you have um
fitness and training, as yousaid, which represents your your
sports mentoring, guiding it, sothat's when you're going into
the schools.
What other different umactivities that you may have
over the course of the year foryoung people where you can
(12:49):
mentor them or they can come andbe active in a situation?
SPEAKER_01 (12:53):
Well, well, well, I just told our staff that, you
know, coming up, maybe we maybewe're gonna start this beginning
of the year, but each month Iwanna I wanna do a workshop or
seminar for our youth onsomething that um they may not
know, something they may know.
But bring in the experts to tothat deals with these issues
(13:15):
that that we're gonna be talkingabout from month to month.
Do a do a little breakfast withthem, just to kind of do a
little social ming mingling andand kind of get to know them and
get and and them get to knoweach other.
But I think we need to make sureour kids know each other.
And I think that's veryimportant at an early age,
(13:36):
because if they don't, theybecome they become fighting
against each other.
You know, we we we've beenhaving some shootings and all
around us, you know, justrecently, within the last week
or two, you know.
Um so I think we have to teachour kids how to get along.
We we talk about relationships,how to build stronger
(13:57):
relationships, not only withyour family, with people outside
of your family.
That's right.
You gotta be able to socialize,you know.
And and I know sometimes thesocial media is not a good place
to do that, but it is there andand and we have to make good of
it, you know, because socialmedia can be good or bad.
(14:18):
It all depends on what side ofthe fence you are.
That's right.
So, you know, because so we wantto we need to teach our kids um
how to get along, how to worktogether, how to work as a team
in order to accomplish certaingoals.
SPEAKER_03 (14:32):
Right, right.
So now here I see you have youthvolunteer programs where you
encourage the youth to give backto the community and gaining
valuable work experience.
Let's talk about that.
SPEAKER_01 (14:42):
Yeah, well, you know, I I think it's important,
it's very important that weteach our kids they don't have
to get paid for everything theydo.
SPEAKER_03 (14:51):
That's right, yes, that's right.
SPEAKER_01 (14:53):
You know, we, you know, we you know, we're coming
up in a money society, but wehave to we have to train them
and give them those skillssaying that look, for every task
you do, mama shouldn't have topay you to take out the trash.
Mama shouldn't have to have topay you to pick up your clothes,
your dirty clothes, and put themin in the dirty dumpster.
(15:14):
But there's responsibility thatwe have to really charge our
kids with in terms of teachingthem to give back.
And and not only not only insideof the house of giving back, but
outside of the house.
Do something for somebody.
Help some lady to take hergroceries to her car.
Right.
Open the car door, open the doorto the to the store.
(15:35):
You you seeing you seeingsomeone walking in into the
store, let them walk first.
Open the door and let her go infirst.
You know, you don't have to bethe first one in and and don't
even hold the door.
Just basic things that we donekind of kind of got away from as
a society and as human beings,you know.
Um, we just kind of forgot aboutwhat we should be doing.
SPEAKER_03 (15:58):
Just teaching them basic manners.
SPEAKER_01 (16:00):
Basic, basic manners, basic manners, basic
respect, you know?
Yes.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (16:05):
Yes, yes.
So this is good, this is good.
Now let's go to our communityprograms.
Financial literacy, oh mygoodness.
I financial literacy is needed.
I found that a young among ouryoung men, um, that financial
literacy, at least I have I umrun into a couple of situations
(16:30):
lately with young men who needthat financial literacy.
They it's like they they can'tgrasp what it is that they need
to do in order to line theirfinances up.
SPEAKER_01 (16:45):
Yeah, well, I think I think our problem as young
men, especially young blackmales, is just that, you know,
we don't understand budgeting.
You know, we just don't knowwhat it is because we we spend,
we buy, we purchase, and wespend and we we get, but
whatever we get, we spend.
(17:06):
So I think I think there aretimes when we just spend what we
have without trying to, youknow, let it last so that we
can, you know, always havesomething, but we'll spend all
we have, and then you know, soand and money has become an
object where folks want it moreand more, especially when you
(17:29):
don't have it.
Especially when kids see otherkids have it and they don't have
it, they want it and they wantto try to get it.
So I think and and and and Iknow that writing checks, that's
basic stuff, like writing checksor using a debit card, you know,
sometimes our kids just don'tknow because we haven't really
been taught the basics of how tohandle money in in a greater
(17:53):
sense.
SPEAKER_03 (17:53):
Right, right, right.
So this is good able to train umthe children, train families how
to manage their money, budget tobuild wealth for themselves and
for their families.
Um even um like the person mymom, and I was talking to um, I
think I was talking to Cashabout this, how my mom she
(18:17):
didn't tell me, but she showedme my example as to how to um
have something for the legacies.
Right, you know, and so um at uhwhen she passed, all of my
children had land or money orsomething that she left to them
(18:39):
as well as myself.
So she showed me by example whatI needed to do.
So now, praise God, I'm tryingto work on that for my
grandbabies.
The same thing.
So I think that if we as adultswould um embrace that teaching
and begin, even if you don'ttalk to the children, but we we
(19:00):
do need to talk to them, butshow them by example as um to
what it is that needs to bedone, even with saving.
Yeah, and you know, um, becausesome of us, if you save five
dollars a week, you know, you'llbe surprised what you know what
you and that's so important.
SPEAKER_01 (19:19):
That's so important, but but we don't do enough of
it.
Yeah, you know.
Some of us do it, don't get mewrong.
That's right.
Some of us some some folks doit, but you know, when you don't
have, you don't have.
And it's hard to do it when youdon't have.
SPEAKER_03 (19:35):
You don't have.
You're right, you're right,because I've been there too.
SPEAKER_01 (19:37):
Yeah, so so but if you have, you gotta know how how
to do it.
And it's always good to to see asermon than to hear one.
SPEAKER_03 (19:46):
Yeah, yeah, yes.
SPEAKER_01 (19:50):
So your your mom showed you a sermon, you know,
then then told you about one.
But you know, so so we learnmore by by doing, by doing than
than than we hear.
So, so that's that's that was agreat, that was a great example
that you just shared.
That kids can benefit from.
But if but everybody don't havea mother like yours, you know,
(20:14):
and everybody's not you.
So, you know, you know, so sotherefore that means you know,
it go it goes lacking.
It goes lacking when you don'thave when you don't have that.
SPEAKER_03 (20:24):
And that's where that that um instruction comes
in.
Because even if you can say 50cents, you know?
Yeah, yeah.
Now, rebuilding credit and homeownership.
That's one of your other entityprograms you have on here.
SPEAKER_01 (20:41):
Yeah, well, we you know, one of the things that
we're facing within ourcommunities is that we do a lot
of renting instead of owning.
You know, we you know, we renttrailers, we rent houses, you
know.
And we don't own those things.
You know, we we have to put ourposition in, uh ourselves in the
(21:03):
position of start starting toown stuff.
But you can't, you just like yousaid in the earlier, you can
it's it's gonna be verydifficult to own when you're
spending everything you got.
SPEAKER_00 (21:15):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (21:16):
You know, it it takes, you know, and if you're
not in it for a long period oftime, you know.
Um so so it's so important to tomake sure that, you know, when
we're talking about homeownership and and stuff like
that, you got to have a goal.
You got to set, you got to setgoals and and and work towards
those goals, you know.
(21:36):
Right.
Because a lot of times we'llwe'll start something, but we
won't finish.
Oh, we'll make a good start now.
We'll we'll we'll you know,we'll do about we'll we'll we'll
we'll start on it, we'll startpaying for a house for about 15
years, and after 15, 20 years,then we wanna we wanna, oh man,
I need to do somethingdifferent.
But that's the time you reallyneed to stick and stay because
(21:58):
you don't have a 30-yearmortgage.
You know, you got 25, and if youand if you be consistent and
double pay it, you can even payit off before the 30 years.
So so we have to teachownership.
We have to, you know, help folksto realize that they can own
these things instead of justrenting these things from from
others.
SPEAKER_03 (22:18):
Yes, yes.
All right.
Now, you I everyone, they haveso many different programs.
Here's the family, safe drivingclasses, an environmental
awareness and protection.
Now, that environmentalawareness, that's something that
um our government is not reallypro environment.
SPEAKER_01 (22:41):
Yeah, yeah.
Well, I I yeah.
And what we did was um, and ifyou ever have a chance to go to
Dollarton Middle School, we havean outside um uh we have an
outside piece where we we wedeal with the environment.
And it falls under, you know, Ikind of started it and and and
broader future is is the name ofthe organization that that kind
(23:04):
of helps run that.
Dr.
Dr.
Frederick, uh Jim Frederickactually kind of spearhead that
um over here at at theDollington Middle School.
But but the environmental theenvironment is very important.
I know different people havedifferent views about the
environment, but I believe thatif we can take care of our
(23:26):
environment, that means we canlive longer.
Not only that, we can the earthcan, you know, be consistent,
but when we start destroying ourenvironment by any means, and
that's why I hate when peoplejust literally throw paper down
on the ground, a uh soda cap onthe ground, you know, who they
expecting to pick it up?
(23:47):
Who who you gonna pay to pick itup, you know?
And then we worry about taxes,because well, if you're gonna if
you're gonna be throwing thisdown, somebody gotta somebody
gotta pick it up.
But the thing is, you know, withthat in mind, you know, when we
throw things down on the ground,when we trash our places or
trash our highways, somebody,somebody gotta go around and and
(24:10):
pick that up.
If not, the animals will startpicking it up and eating it.
And they'll die from theprocess, you know, within large
stuff in their system, you know,and and and and you'll see them
pass, you know, you'll see themdying eventually out.
The fishes in the in the water,you know, uh the the birds, you
(24:31):
know.
SPEAKER_03 (24:32):
The squirrels, hold on the squirrels, because
something's going on with thesesquirrels.
They are not as healthy as theyused to be.
I've watched them.
SPEAKER_01 (24:42):
I'm telling you, so they're they're getting they're
getting they're eating some ofthe stuff that we we just throw
out, which is not good for them.
SPEAKER_03 (24:50):
Oh my goodness.
So um teaching families how toprotect the environment, that's
great.
And you did talk about job umjob training um previously, uh a
little bit.
You talked a little bit on that.
So how do you all um facilitatethat?
SPEAKER_01 (25:09):
The job training?
Yes.
Well, basically through theexposure, you know, we um we
want to try to work with thekids or have them to be with,
you know, for example, if theywant to, if if if a kid wants to
be a doctor or dentist, yeah,you know, we would try to
connect them with just sittingin the, you know, just walking
(25:32):
with them throughout the day,just to kind of get exposed of
what dentist, what, what, youknow, and almost, and I know I
know the different schools do itum once or twice a year, where
they allow the student to to gowhere where the profession is
at.
SPEAKER_03 (25:48):
They do because they come to the radio station.
Oh, okay.
So you have and I spend theyspend the day, you know, several
hours.
So I'll let them produce theproduce a segment.
Okay, okay.
And I'll play it on the radio onSaturdays.
Yes, yeah.
So so exactly.
SPEAKER_01 (26:02):
So that's that's the kind of mirroring we are trying
to do and and and to try to sokids can get the real live
experience in on on what theyreally want to do in life, what
they want to be.
SPEAKER_03 (26:15):
Yeah, that's like um going to the shadowing, go into
the state house and spend acouple of things.
SPEAKER_01 (26:21):
Yes, yes, yes.
SPEAKER_03 (26:22):
Yes, yes, in the legislature.
Sure.
SPEAKER_01 (26:24):
To get a feel of what's going on, what's
happening, and and and how theprocess works.
SPEAKER_03 (26:29):
Right, that's right, that's right, and that's good.
That's good.
Now, veterans and seniors, youhave programs for veterans.
Of course, you have programs foryour veterans because you are a
veteran.
I am a veteran.
I am a veteran.
SPEAKER_01 (26:41):
Yeah, so I'm a combat veteran at that.
SPEAKER_03 (26:44):
Wow.
That's awesome, that's awesome.
So let's talk about that, theveterans and senior programs
that you have.
Okay.
SPEAKER_01 (26:54):
Well, you know, as I say, I'm a combat veteran.
Um and and and after I came backfrom the war in 2005, you know,
some of the guys that thatserved with me actually
committed suicide.
SPEAKER_03 (27:09):
Oh my.
SPEAKER_01 (27:10):
Um, because it it was hard for them to readjust to
our community after afterspending 18 months in in you
know, in an environment wherethey had to, you know, they had
to kind of try to live.
Oh wow.
So and and and and as you know,veterans have one of the highest
(27:32):
suicide rates in in in thecountry.
You know, veterans, you know.
Um because it it it's hard, youknow, when they get over there
and when we're in combat, webecome really, really family.
We really become really family,you know, because we depend on
each other for the next day.
You know.
Our life depends on one another.
(27:53):
I can't even imagine it.
To live the next day, you know.
And and you have to have someonewho's really gonna protect your
interest throughout the night,throughout the day, you know.
So we become real close familyin that type environment.
And um, and when, and when, andwhen we came back, it was just
(28:15):
so hard for some of them toreadjust back.
And they, and and sometimes,matter of fact, when I was over
there, you know, we had to sendsome home because they wasn't
fit for battle.
Oh.
Because they were thinking abouthome, their minds back here in
the States, and we were overthere fighting a war.
Oh, wow.
So they can make big mistakes.
(28:36):
Big mistakes and put us, puteverybody else in danger.
That's right.
So, so um, but anyway, so wewant to, what we do actually, we
have a chance of talking toveterans, trying to get veterans
involved, trying to help themwith their with their benefits.
Um we we we connect them withthe right resources that they
(28:56):
need.
SPEAKER_00 (28:56):
Okay.
SPEAKER_01 (28:57):
You know, and kind of explain to them some of the
services and benefits that theycan receive just by being a
veteran.
Uh many, many, many of us sufferwith PDSD, you know, you know.
Um it go it goes and comes, butcertainly those are the things
that we want to try to helpeducate our veterans on.
The VA has a a plethora ofbenefits.
(29:21):
But if you don't know, you don'tgo.
But you right.
So if you don't know, you justsuffer and and and never receive
the benefits that that theyhave.
So what we are doing, we'retrying to um share that
information with our veteransand kind of help them in the
process, even uh through throughtheir filing of claims and stuff
(29:42):
like that.
You know, so we have we havethose connections and have
people in place to help them.
SPEAKER_03 (29:48):
Oh, that's wonderful.
That's wonderful.
And last but not least, ourseniors.
SPEAKER_01 (29:54):
Our seniors well, yeah, our seniors are, you know.
SPEAKER_03 (29:58):
You do have some seniors um helping.
You and volunteer.
Yes, yes.
Yes, yes, yes.
SPEAKER_01 (30:05):
That's cool.
Sure, sure.
Well, seniors and babies.
Okay.
That's my high screen.
Well, you know, because youknow, they say um um once adult,
twice a child.
SPEAKER_03 (30:21):
My my son tried to pull that on me on on Saturday
at the PCAF store.
Tried to pull that on me.
You know what I told him?
I said, back at you.
He has children too.
SPEAKER_01 (30:36):
Yeah.
Yeah, well, you know, seniorsare special people, you know.
Right.
Once you once you live to be acertain age, you know, um, I
think I think the quality oflife should be there for you.
I I think people who are seniorsshouldn't have to struggle and
and do the things that they doto just to survive, just to live
their last golden years in inagony.
(31:00):
You know.
You know, I I just think that umlife is full of of happiness,
you know, and and so what andwhat we do, we you know, we
visit some of the senior places,senior centers.
Matter of fact, um we we visit,you know, we there's some
veterans in some of the seniorcenters that we'll plan programs
(31:21):
for veterans' day.
As Veterans Day comes up, youknow, we'll be out doing
different ceremonies anddifferent programs with with
with veterans, they're veterans,but also they're they're
seniors, you know, they'resenior individuals.
And I just think that, you know,it it's the community um
responsibility to help take careof our elderly.
SPEAKER_00 (31:43):
That's right.
SPEAKER_01 (31:44):
You know, um for those who taking care of us.
So the least that we can do isto take care of them.
And I I told my mom, when my mymom passed away about four,
about four years ago.
And um, and uh she always said,uh, um, y'all put me in the
nursing home.
No, no, no.
Well, you know, we don't dothat.
(32:04):
We don't do that here, you know.
Even though she felt that if shegoes in a nursing home, she'd
give up, she w she alleviate thehardship on us.
But but she took care of us whenwe when we couldn't take care of
ourselves.
So why why would we want to puther in a nursing home when she
can't take care of herself?
So I we ended up, me and mybrothers, we ended up taking
(32:25):
care of our mom at the house.
Oh wonderful.
Yeah, until until her last day.
Matter of fact, she yeah, to herlast day, we we uh we were there
to support her and her in her.
SPEAKER_03 (32:36):
Well, I'm with you on that.
I did the same thing.
SPEAKER_01 (32:38):
Yes, yes, yes.
But everybody don't have thatthat that that mindset to do so
of their parents.
You know?
After all these years, yourparents, you know, raised you
and did the best that they couldfor you, and then once they get
to the point where they can'treally take care of themselves,
(32:59):
we want to stick them in aplace.
SPEAKER_03 (33:01):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Like you say, they don't havethat mindset, and you can even
find siblings, you'll find onethat'll have that mindset, and
the others, one or two of themmay come and help you.
SPEAKER_01 (33:15):
Then there are others who won't even look your
way, or you know, I don't havetime, or that's just the the the
per individuality of people andhow they think, how they and you
would think family would be moresuccinct in terms of decision
(33:35):
like that.
Yes, because you're right,you're right.
But but you're right.
It just they're they're they'redifferent.
SPEAKER_03 (33:42):
I was my mom's only child, so it was all on me,
which was fine.
Yes, yes, yes.
And you did it with Grace.
Uh, yes, and then I had mygrandbaby, my um my children
there.
So they helped too, and my auntwould come down from Washington
and help as well.
Okay, that's good.
We um we did it together.
That's good.
SPEAKER_01 (34:01):
That's good.
And that's what family's allabout.
SPEAKER_03 (34:03):
Yes.
SPEAKER_01 (34:04):
Supporting each other when we need you, when
they need you.
SPEAKER_03 (34:07):
Amen.
Amen.
So families remember that.
That's what it's about.
Supporting each other whenyou're in need, when you're in
need.
Uh yes, because see here youinclude transportation, you take
them to the medical appointmentsand go grocery shopping for two.
SPEAKER_01 (34:22):
Yeah, we we we we we transport when whenever we need
to.
Yes, you know.
Um matter of fact, and I wasjust sharing with the guys, you
know, we're we're gonna at somepoint, we're gonna purchase us,
like I told them we need topurchase at least two vans.
SPEAKER_00 (34:36):
Right.
SPEAKER_01 (34:36):
Just for transport, you know.
Um, we can use one for ouryouth, and we can use the other
for seniors.
For seniors.
Right, yeah.
So, because there are there areyouth who can't get to their
practice or sports.
If they're playing stuff, youknow, you know, the family just
they don't play, and they'regood at at playing, it's just
(34:57):
that they can't, they don't havetransportation.
That's it, that's it.
And the same for for for seniorswho may need to go to the
doctor, or if and the familycannot really take them, but
they do they really need to go.
They instead of missingappointments, if they let us
know, we'll be able to kind ofget them there.
SPEAKER_03 (35:14):
That's great.
That's great.
Now, before we go, let's talkabout your golf tournament.
Oh.
It's every year, it's an annualthing in October, right?
Yes.
So we just how you heard aboutthat.
Oh, you know.
You got ears in the back of yourhead.
I heard it every day at work.
(35:34):
Which was awesome.
I think Mark, um Mark did agreat job.
SPEAKER_01 (35:41):
I'm just telling you, he's a great guy.
He did a good job.
You know, we had a blast.
We um we were targeted for 25teams.
We had 23 teams.
Okay, that's good.
So it was a good crowd.
We had a we we really had aphenomenal time.
That's one.
Yeah, we we really did.
And um, so and everybody waswell pleased, and the golf
(36:02):
course was really nice.
And the day, you couldn't payfor a day like that because the
day was so beautiful.
Oh wow.
It was so beautiful.
The weather, you know.
That morning we started out, weteed out, we teed up around
8.15, but it was a little chillycoming up.
But before by 10, 11 o'clock,you was taking off your jacket
if you had one on, you know,you're just coming out of it.
(36:24):
But it was a real, real good uhgolf uh tournament.
And certainly I I I thanked allthe all the vendors and all the
sponsors who really helped uspull this through.
Yes.
So we had a really great time.
SPEAKER_03 (36:38):
Great, wonderful.
And that was a support of afamily's engagement program.
SPEAKER_01 (36:43):
Exactly.
SPEAKER_03 (36:44):
Exactly.
SPEAKER_01 (36:44):
Well, speaking of that, you know, I I bought you a
shirt because I want to makesure I wanted to make sure you
wear it now.
You gotta, you can't just get auh a golf shirt without wearing
it.
That is that is our emblem.
Oh, how nice engagement program.
And as you can see, the family.
SPEAKER_03 (37:02):
Yeah, that's right.
Yeah.
This is so nice.
SPEAKER_01 (37:05):
And that's supposed to be a cross.
SPEAKER_03 (37:06):
It is, I was about to say that.
SPEAKER_01 (37:08):
It's a cross, but the other portion is the it
should be a hand.
See, if you look at that, that'sthe hand that holding the family
together.
SPEAKER_03 (37:16):
My goodness.
Oh, thank you so much.
SPEAKER_01 (37:20):
And I also bought one for Dr.
Canty.
Okay.
I can't leave him up.
Okay.
Because the last time I saw him,I saw him at at the funeral of
um um who funeral was it?
It was at idea funeral home ofmy good friend um.
SPEAKER_03 (37:36):
Um Allen?
Garnett Allen?
SPEAKER_01 (37:37):
Garnet Allen.
Yeah, Garnet was my friend.
He was a good friend of mine,and uh I saw Dr.
Kennedy there.
SPEAKER_03 (37:44):
There.
Well, I'll make sure that hegets this.
Please do.
Thank you so much, and I'm gonnaput mine on tomorrow.
Okay.
SPEAKER_00 (37:49):
Now, when you put it on, you gotta do it.
Okay, send it to me to verifyand not and I need to send it, I
need to send it out on my socialmedia and say, look.
Well, I will do that.
SPEAKER_03 (38:05):
Okay.
I will do that.
Oh, and this has been enjoyable.
Well, thank you.
Thank you so much, and you haveum really enlightened us on the
family's engagement program.
And so if anyone um needs totalk with you in reference to
this, how can they get incontact with it?
SPEAKER_01 (38:22):
Well, certainly, um Tony Stevenson is our executive
director.
Okay.
Um, and and pretty much he cananswer any of your questions or
anything that you may have.
But they can contact us atfamilyengagement.com.
Okay.
It's a website, you know, we'vegot a website, but also they can
call the office.
The office number is 843 4132790.
SPEAKER_00 (38:47):
Okay.
SPEAKER_01 (38:48):
And there's a young lady there named Effie Tempsen
who will answer the phone, whowill be glad to speak with you
on any matters about about theorganization or about anything
that that you have questions on.
SPEAKER_03 (39:01):
Okay, wonderful, wonderful.
Well, thank you so much forcoming to to spend time with us
here at Native Drums.
SPEAKER_01 (39:08):
Well, thank you.
SPEAKER_03 (39:08):
And um, I'll look forward to you coming to my
radio show so we can talk aboutwhat's going on in the
legislature.
All right.
SPEAKER_01 (39:15):
Well, I'll be happy, more than happy to.
SPEAKER_03 (39:17):
All right, all right.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
Thank you, everyone, for joiningus here at Native Drums.
This is Jocelia Williams sittingin for the Reverend Dr.
Ralph W.
Canty here at the Savannah GroveBaptist Church.
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