December 22, 2025 • 29 mins
Today, we’re honored to sit down with families from Cohort 16 of the FACT Program—Fathers and Children Together. FACT is a program rooted in strengthening bonds, building communication, and creating lasting connections between men behind the walls at SCI Phoenix and their children. Joining us today are two incredible families who have been actively participating in this journey.
We welcome Elizabeth Smith and her daughter Ariyel Smith-Forth, as well as Tru Davis, and his mom Joi Reeves. ach of these families brings a unique perspective on growth, resilience, and the power of intentional family time. We’re excited to hear about their experiences—what they’ve learned, how they’ve grown, and what FACT has meant to them.
Learn more about the impactful work of the F.A.C.T. Experience at factexperience.org.
We welcome Elizabeth Smith and her daughter Ariyel Smith-Forth, as well as Tru Davis, and his mom Joi Reeves. ach of these families brings a unique perspective on growth, resilience, and the power of intentional family time. We’re excited to hear about their experiences—what they’ve learned, how they’ve grown, and what FACT has meant to them.
Learn more about the impactful work of the F.A.C.T. Experience at factexperience.org.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, Welcome to What's going On? A show about
making a difference in our lives and our communities. I'm
Lorraine Ballad Morrow. Today we're honored to sit down with
families from Cohort sixteen of the FACT Program, Fathers and
Children Together. FACT is a program rooted in strengthening bonds,
building communication, and creating lasting connections between parents and their children.
(00:22):
Joining us today are some incredible families who've been actively
participating in this journey. We welcome Elizabeth Smith and her
daughter Ariel Smith Fourth, as well as True Davis and
his mom, Joy Reeves. Each of these families bring a
unique perspective on growth, resilience, and the power of intentional
family time. We are excited to hear about their experiences,
(00:43):
what they've learned, how they've grown, and what FACT is
meant to them. So let's begin by asking this question
of all of you. What made you decide to join
the FACT program and what were you hoping to get
out of it.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Let's start with Joy.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Well, honestly, my dad was the one who called and
told me, you know what the program was. So my
father's been incarcerated for I'm thirty seven. It's been about
thirty two, thirty three years. So for me, honestly, it
wasn't about me anymore. Not to say that I'm past
the healing. I guess you could say from being a
(01:21):
child now I'm adult. You know, we've gotten over a
lot of obstacles in our own way because the FACT
program wasn't around when I was a child. But it
was a great opportunity for my son to get to
know his grandfather and to have that one on one time,
just literally them two together. So he was ecstatic to
(01:43):
do it, and it just worked out. It worked out.
And plus, you know, since the pandemic, visiting has been
it's more, it's harder now. It's so many more obstacles
that you have to go through just to visit your
family members now. So the fact that I didn't have
to go on the website and register for a visit
(02:04):
and I hope that the visit is approved and he
was just able to just go every Saturday for five
six saturdays, was perfect.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
And for those who don't know about the FACT program,
it's a program that goes over the course of many
weeks and it gives the opportunity for dads, grandfathers, mentors
that are behind the walls of Sci Phoenix to connect
with their kids, with their children, with all their grandchildren
whoever they are connected with, and really create this bonding
(02:37):
experience that is not really normally possible when it comes
to the regular kinds of visitations that occur at maximum
security prison. So let's go to you, True True Davis. Okay,
so tell us what was the experience like for you
participating in the fact program. You're sixteen now, right, So I.
Speaker 5 (02:58):
Really enjoyed it because at first it was just like
me having like well wait meeting for him to call me,
so it was like that's the only time like we
would really like talk and that'll be like randomized, I
don't know when he would call me. But now joining
the actual like program, seeing him like every like Saturday
in person, because I haven't seen him in person in
a long time. I haven't seen him in person since
(03:18):
I was like really little, and that's when we used
to like going on like visits like me, my.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
Mom my, brother, everybody.
Speaker 5 (03:24):
So the fact that I got to see him like
every weekend, it was like really it was really fun
because we just like yapped about anything, was just talking
about anything, so it was like something I was able
to actually look forward to instead of not knowing when
the actual call would come, so I could talk to him.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Yeah, well true.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Just to dig a little deeper into this, what were
some of the things that you walked away that you
didn't know about your grandfather? I know that one of
the things that is very special about the program. So
you get to know a lot about their favorite things, right,
tell us more about that.
Speaker 5 (03:55):
So it's crazy because we actually had like in the
program different like activities we would do, and that was
like one of them.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
It was like write down right there.
Speaker 5 (04:06):
They would ask us questions that we had to write
down the answer what the answer was for the other person.
So it was like, for example, if we had to
write what our favorite color was, I would write what
I thought his favorite color was, and he would write mine,
and then we would go up and say what our
answers was and say if it was right or wrong.
And it was like it was a whole fun experience.
(04:26):
So it was like just being there, it allowed me
to like get more insight on like what he like,
what he listened to, like music wise, like just who
he is, and like actually see like his personality like
in him instead of like on the phone.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Yeah, yeah, that's what's so special about the program. And uh,
let's talk to Elizabeth Smith. Tell us what got you
into the fact program? And your daughter.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
So similar to Joy, you know, her dad brought into
my attention something that he really wanted to get into,
strengthen his bond, you know, with our child. So I
was a little bit like, uh okay, but again it
couldn't hurt like with harm, could it deal with You're right,
So it's more of a strengthening thing. So they already
(05:11):
have that connection, but to strengthen it just for them
to like she comes up on the visits with mom
or mostly grandmom, but just for them to to have
that experience together.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
It's what I was looking forward to.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Yeah, Ariel, what was the experience like for you?
Speaker 6 (05:26):
It was a fun time. I feel like the visits
with just us too. I could really express how I
felt if I couldn't talk around everybody. It was a
fun time. I got to know my father way more,
build a stronger connection. Even though we had a strong connection,
it has grown because I would come every Saturday and
got to know more, way more about my father than
(05:46):
I've ever known.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Was there anything in particular that stands out that you
learned from the program that you didn't have before?
Speaker 6 (05:55):
Just who my father really is, so the things he likes,
the things he likes to do, and how we are
actually very similar.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Okay, very cool.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
So can you describe a moment during the program that
really stood out or made an impact on your family? Now,
I know that the moms don't actually participate in the program,
but you can certainly see the outcomes.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
So I'm wondering.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
If Elizabeth, you could tell us about what you feel
was a moment during the program that really stood out
or made an impact.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
I think the air it out sessions.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Oh yeah, describe what the aired out sessions.
Speaker 4 (06:31):
Are for them.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
I think for the kids it was I mean, I
will let them, you know, say their experience. But when
she came out of the air it Out session, she
was different. It was just everything bottled up that she
wasn't able to say on a fifteen minute phone call
or on the visit with grandmom and mom sitting there
or you know, somebody else sitting there was just them
too to express how she really felt for him to know,
(06:57):
so she expressed it to me or you know to
some type of extent, but for her to fully say
how she feel about her father being incarcerated, and I
think he needed to hear it. So it was a
good I think that was a great experience. And even
for the moms, we had our own little mini air
it out sessions, and you know, Miss Kay was there
(07:18):
and Miss Darlene and it was a lot.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
So I'm sure there's there's a lot of emotion.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
It was and I didn't think, honestly, I didn't think
I needed it, but when Miss k was like, yeah,
you know, you do your erit, and I'm like.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
What do I need the air out? Like, I'm good,
But it needed.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
I needed it for us to express just how we
felt and how it really impacted us.
Speaker 6 (07:40):
It was.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
It was I think that was my favorite part of
the experience, just hearing their you know, doing ars and
crests and doing yoga. I loved hearing that. But the
air it out, I think was my favorite part.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Let's hear it with the other mom here. Joy.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
So I was the I guess you could call me
the defiant parent because true sixteen so he could go
up by himself. So I was pretty much that drop
you off at the drop off point, see when we
get back. But far as like air it out the
relationship that I have with my father because it's always
(08:17):
been mental. I say mental because majority of our bonding
has been over the phone and I grew up. I
don't hold don't hold nothing back like so and.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Surprised when you say that.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Raising him the same way. So I'm very vocal, very communicative,
like we don't hold nothing back at all regardless. So
I mean although as a child, if I could have
got an air out session, oh I would. That's needed, Like,
that's needed, It's really needed for healing.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
Especially as a child.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Sometimes you're not comfortable being able to tell somebody exactly
how you feel.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
That's hard, Yeah, it can.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
It can be intimidating sometimes because you never know well
as a child, like how are they Are they going
to feel a certain type of way about what I'm saying.
Although those are your feelings and you're entitled to them.
But one thing I learned a long time ago is
say how you feel and get it off your chest.
It doesn't matter how the other person feels. Now they know,
and it's up to them how they have to interpret
(09:21):
and move on from there. So that's one blessing I
can say within our relationship, just my father and being
his grandfather, we no whole bars if I'm mad at him.
I can honestly tell you, growing up, there's been plenty
of times I've been mad at my dad and he
would call and I would tell him, I'm mad at you.
I don't care. I'm not answering your next couple phone calls.
(09:43):
Don't call me, and he'll call me and I wouldn't answer.
I'm so serious, But that was the only way that
I could express myself. And then after it was over,
we would talk about it and we would get through it.
And then so we've always had air out sessions. I
guess you could die.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Right yeah, informal, Yeah, for sure, for sure.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Well let's talk to the young folks.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
So true, what was a moment during the program that
really stood out or you feel made a real impact.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
It's not just one, it's like for me, it's a whole.
It's like a few.
Speaker 5 (10:13):
So I'm gonna just say what I remember. It was
a bunch of moments where I feel like it definitely
made me lacking. It was like the kids reactions to
when we would leave a bunch of them was like crying.
I remember that a lot of them, like nobody wanted
to leave every single time it was time to go.
Speaker 4 (10:32):
So just seeing that it made me feel some type
of way.
Speaker 5 (10:34):
It's like, dang, like they dads really can't leave with them,
like and they don't want to leave. They dads knowing
like we're in this like this space right now. It
was that it was also the last thing we did
the graduation because that was when it was like everybody
had wrote something they had wrote like about b pieces
(10:55):
and so the children did it and the dads did it.
And one of the dads like I think you know
he was a grandpa, he was a grandpa.
Speaker 4 (11:03):
He yo, he started balling, he started crying like he
couldn't get through.
Speaker 5 (11:07):
Well he got through it, but it was hard for
him to get through the peace like he started crying.
Speaker 4 (11:11):
So that made me feel some type of way. I
start tearing up.
Speaker 5 (11:14):
And I heard my mom in the bat talk about
something you can do it pop up like so I
know like she was she saw it too. So it's
like knowing, like dang, everybody has like like the way
they feel towards like this whole situation. I know for
sure all the dads want they get out and be
able to like experience like their kids' life and make
up all the times they missed, but it's like at
this moment they can't do that. So right now, in
(11:37):
that current moment I'm speaking, this is the only time where,
like the last time I would say, they would get
to like express how they feel freely before it's back
to like monthly visits. So it was like being able
to like say that like kids too, and the dads.
So I was mainly just looking at the das cause
it's like seeing the reaction to what they kids were saying.
It was everything, But it was just that my memorable
(12:00):
moments right there.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
That's a that's a great moment to share. And I've
been to several graduations, and I think the thing that
really makes me more emotional is seeing these these men.
The men they stand up. A lot of them are big, hulking, strong,
masculine looking guys, and here they are being so tender,
like yeah exactly, and and like and crying like you said,
(12:24):
and and just being so emotionally vulnerable and expressive. It
just if you're in the room, you're going to be crying.
It's just just how it just how it is, just.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
How it is.
Speaker 3 (12:35):
I cried the entire time, the entire time.
Speaker 4 (12:38):
Is this I said?
Speaker 3 (12:40):
Like I said, I was tellings in the background here
at Cutura, I was telling her because for me, it
was very emotional for me because one, I haven't seen
my father in seven years. Wow, I haven't physically seen
him in seven years. We've talked, we did zoom visits,
(13:01):
but that's not the same as a physical hug and seeing,
you know, right in front of you. And I just
knew that it was just emotional altogether. Like it was
just emotional, and it was just it was healing for
me because it was so healing.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
For my dad.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
So I have a brother but he passed, So I
haven't seen my dad since my brother pass So now
as an official only child, you know, and he looks
at his grandson.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
This is his son now, you know.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
So he's adamant about adding to what I've already been
able to do with true and he just wants to
be able to be there. And so within that moment
and seeing just seeing him looking at my son and
that's his grandson. He went before, he's seen him before.
He was to his chest. Now he's three four inches
(13:55):
above his head.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
He's tall.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
Yeah, So you know, it makes a big difference in
just all of the fathers and just the fact that
they were able to be as vulnerable as they were
in front of their kids.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
That's a big deal.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
That's a big deal because I feel like we live
in a society now where everybody just has to be
so everybody wants to be so strong, nobody wants to
show emotion and nobody and then when you do show emotion,
you're criticized and ridiculed for showing their emotion that you
should be showing. You know, that's natural, That's how you
get to stress off, that's how you you know, you
(14:29):
feel better about yourself after a good cry. I always
say that after good cry, you feel better. So it was,
it was, it was beautiful.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
Yeah, Ariel, What about you?
Speaker 1 (14:39):
What what moment during the program really stood out or
made a big impact on your family?
Speaker 6 (14:44):
Probably the air it out because I felt like I
do hold back a lot of emotions at times when
I'm on visits with my mom or my grandma. So
for me just to express how it made me feel
to not have my father here with me, Yeah, I
get to talk, but it's like the connection that we had.
Speaker 4 (15:03):
Was all over the phone.
Speaker 6 (15:05):
So for me to express how I felt to not
have my father there, it kind of helped me like
really sit back and think on, really, what can I
do if you're not here? What can I do to
keep myself motivated to keep going throughout life?
Speaker 2 (15:22):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
So, what were some challenges that you faced in the
program and how did they overcome them together? Because you know,
it's it's a wonderful program, but I'm sure there's some challenges.
It's tough, you know, it's you're having to excavate a
lot of emotions and a lot of history, right, That's
that's you know occurred over the course of your relationship.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
So Elizabeth, what was what was that for you?
Speaker 1 (15:47):
What are some of the challenges that were faced?
Speaker 3 (15:50):
A lot of I think communication, but I know that
the fathers and grandfathers had to go through their own
process before the kids and the parents came on board.
So I think the the therapists or the psychologists that
they had to go through first. I think that really
helps with cole parents and cole parents and has been
(16:10):
really hard. But with them talking to the psychiatrists or
the therapists and the inside that I think that rilled
her dad in a little bit to see.
Speaker 4 (16:18):
A different perspective.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
So it's not just about him, it's about the child,
and it's about the mom too, and how that kind
of blends in to make everything work. So I think
that was a lot of our issues with a lot
of miscommunication or not communicating at all. When I get angry,
I don't communicate.
Speaker 4 (16:37):
I shut down. So just a phone call, you.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
Know, it's time.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
But I think them going through the parents and classes
and the cold parents and classes, it it helped a lot.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
Yeah, because essentially, you know, to co parent, it's it's
a whole different scenario because the dad is not able
to be there or their grandfather's not able to physically
be there. So to have that support and connection is
so important and so challenging. What about you, Joy, just
tell us what the challenges were.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
The only challenge considering because that's his grandfather, that's my father.
He's as as supportive as he can be. It's only
but so much support he can get. And the only
challenge for us, I would say, is the fact that
you know, because his grandson is doing so many things,
(17:33):
like True's a poet, and you know, he can't be
there to see him blossom the way that he's blossomed.
But he's supportive, like I said, he's supportive as he
can be. But the best thing about the fact was
that he was able to experience True and how he
(17:54):
is now and you know, his glory and to see
you know, how artistic he is is because I know
that their first visit was it the first it was
the first visit.
Speaker 4 (18:04):
True did a poem.
Speaker 3 (18:05):
He's always heard how his you know, like his grandson
does poetry. He's and so he did a poem for
you know, for the group, and then from there it
just it blossomed into a thing, like he even did
a poem for about the entire program at the end
that was you know, miss k had it recorded and
everything like that, which was so beautiful and like she
(18:26):
bored everybody to tears.
Speaker 4 (18:28):
This one has away with his words.
Speaker 3 (18:29):
But like my dad, it just even after that when
he called us, he was just like he couldn't believe it,
Like it was just and it awakens something in him,
a more of a more fight, more fight, you know,
because as far as his legal bat on he's trying
to get his sentence overturned so.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
That he can come home.
Speaker 3 (18:47):
It's been years, you know, laws have changed and you know,
the prison reform. Everything is different now. So he's like,
really like, I gotta, I gotta do what I gotta do.
I gotta make it. I gotta has to change so
that he can at least for the rest of his
years be with his grandson. So yeah, that's yeah, Yeah,
(19:08):
it's been it's been good, Like it's really been good.
The fact is, I'm so happy, like we really got involved.
I'm really happy that we did, because if this was
around for me as a child, it would have made
a total difference. It would have made a big difference
in the way that I handle certain things because as
(19:28):
a female, a daughter needs her father, Like I mean,
everybody needs their father, but specifically, like girls need their
dads just as much as the son does.
Speaker 5 (19:41):
You know.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
Like even at the graduation when they gave the they
gave bouquet of roses to the daughters and ms K
and T I broke down. The first thing, I says,
could you are mad? I could never imagine getting flowers
from my father, So just just that little it might
not you know, they're young and no, my dad gave
me flowers, Okay, but later on in life they're gonna
(20:04):
remember like, no, my dad, my dad gave me flowers,
Like I got flowers. Like it means something. It might
not might seem minuscules small, but it means a lot.
Like just that little gesture means a lot, and it
just it held my inner child just to even see that,
just to know like they're getting what they need from
(20:25):
their dad. Their dad might not be here now eventually
when things are circumstances changes, but at least they know
while he's away, I'm still the first person on his mind,
you know, and that's what matters the most.
Speaker 1 (20:38):
Yeah, you know, in my experience working with men who
are behind the walls, first of Greater Ferd and then Phoenix,
is that you get to know the man, right, you don't.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
Outside of whatever they were there for.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
You get to experience I've got to experience these extraordinary men.
Look at someone like Magic, for instance, who's one of
the primary individuals You all nod your head. Yeah, Magic
is is in for life, but he's very much has
been instrumental in the fact program. So outside of everything
(21:16):
that might have occurred that got him there. What I
see before me is a man who has tremendous leadership ability,
incredibly smart, who is just wants to give back. Right, So, Katura,
you're you're standing up next to me. What did you
want to say?
Speaker 4 (21:36):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (21:36):
Okay, So Katura, who's You're the executive director of Fact,
the president of Fact. Katura is behind the scenes.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
She was, she was.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
She handed me a question to throw over to Joy.
What did what did?
Speaker 2 (21:51):
What did your father give you?
Speaker 3 (21:53):
He gave me a single rose? He gave me a
single got you?
Speaker 4 (21:57):
Yes? I did. I did give my flower. I did.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
I did get my flower. My flower is currently getting
pressed and dry so I can have it forever because
that meant the world to me.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
Well, I just want you know, as I was saying,
you get to really see who these men are outside
of whatever got them there. And I wonder if you
can each of you describe the man that your father
or your grandfather is to you and also to would
(22:34):
I be putting you on the spot if I asked
you to repeat a poem? No? Oh great, okay, good,
all right, then I'm gonna put a pin on that
because I want.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
To end with you, because wow. But let's start with you, Ariel.
Speaker 1 (22:46):
What is who is your father to you? What are
the qualities that your father represents to you?
Speaker 6 (22:53):
Mostly my source of strength. I can look up to
my father about anything. If I can talk to my mom,
I can. I know I can talk to my dad
about it. Someone who is trustworthy, active in my life,
and just someone who is always there for me on
my down days. I know will pick me up, will
(23:14):
always know what's wrong with me, just based off my
tone my voice, know if I'm happy sad. So it's
just someone who I know is always there for me
no matter how far he is. I know my father
is always.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
Here and true. Before I hit you up with in
this poem, is what is your grandfather to you? What
are the qualities that you see in this man?
Speaker 5 (23:39):
The first thing that come to me is like the
wise old men with the long beards and like fantasy stories.
Speaker 2 (23:47):
Because it's like Gandalf.
Speaker 5 (23:49):
Yeah, like I'm telling you, because he always got some
form of advice to give me no matter what the
situation is. It can be from like uh for example,
like basketball, to like something breaking down like emotions and
stuff like that, to why you shouldn't do this, or
like what you should do if this had and stuff
like that. Like he always got some form of advice.
(24:10):
So he's just like that smart old boy that I
could always go to. And then he funny too, so
it's like it's a mixed to all this stuff at
the same time. And so it's like, yeah, like my
source of fun too. He'd be introducing me to like
some of these games and stuff. I remember we played cards.
Speaker 4 (24:26):
One time.
Speaker 5 (24:27):
I introduced him to this game called spoons, and he
was so competitive. He won one time and he was
on top of the world, like said, like he was drawing.
But then I beat him and he't won't play no more.
Speaker 6 (24:38):
One.
Speaker 4 (24:39):
He really sweart, like he just he got it. Oh
that's my guy.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
All right.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
So, as I said before, I'm gonna put you on
the spot, and I understand that you are a poet,
So share some poetry for.
Speaker 4 (24:48):
Us, all right.
Speaker 5 (24:49):
I'm gonna do the one I did at the graduation,
right all right? Fathers and children together, Fathers, what if
y'all become just another title given another word to say
about people who impregnated women. Nah, another reason for women
to have to be the mother and father to take
care of their daughters, but leave the sons to explore
a field for the traits the mother couldn't provide them with,
(25:11):
and for what. I don't want to hear no if
ads or but saying if it wasn't for this, or
if this happened, but this nah, if you were present,
that would have been a present for them. Regardless of
your past, your kids should be your future. Instead, I
dropped the ball and left your kids there with an
empty glove in their hand. And that's a fact. The
a is just a separation between the fathers and children.
So no matter how many times we come to visit,
(25:33):
there will always be the thought that we're going to
have to leave soon, and all for what an action,
an accident. I hope what happened was worth that space,
because now you got to live with that space. I
hope you have a suiting helmet, and hope that the
environment around you doesn't make you cold, or hope the
distance between you and your little world doesn't choke you.
Us children have to live, and the result of your
(25:54):
mistakes force detachment. Reaching out for a hand, we won't
be able to hold. Waiting for a phone call with
the time limit withholding emotions just to have a good chat,
only to hear you have one minute left, a reminder
that this relationship is monitored and controlled. We lived with
the weight of anticipation, knowing that we have to wait
for giving time or taking time, a phone call or
(26:14):
freedom that should have stayed yours. Why couldn't we always
have been together, not backs against walls, not tears spilled,
not withheld emotions, but with the connection that was meant
to be rightfully ours. It should be a relationship between
fathers and children and not a relationship between children and
empty space. And that's the fact, and that is for fact,
(26:37):
fathers and children together. This program the bridge over what's missing,
the breath of fresh air for gasping lungs, gave freedom
and confined spaces. Its magic the way it happens, turn
distance into feelings and reach one hand over the other.
And that's the ideal fact experience.
Speaker 1 (26:56):
I said, right, Wow, that was amazing, true Davis, you
are a poet.
Speaker 3 (27:05):
And you know it.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
I love all you guys coming in and sharing your
experience because people need to know that this is what
your experience is like, and that the men behind the walls,
you know there are some guys who belong there and
need to stay in there, and there's some guys that
really evolved and are better people because of it and
don't really need to stay there.
Speaker 6 (27:28):
Right.
Speaker 1 (27:28):
So, you know, I love the FACT program because it
does once again remind us that the men behind the
walls are human beings that have children that they love.
Speaker 2 (27:39):
And want to connect with.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
In Fact is all about connecting fathers and children together.
We've been sitting with families from Cohort sixteen of the
FACT program Fathers and Children Together, FACT to a program
rooted in strengthening bonds, building communication, and creating lasting connections
between parents and their children. We had been joined by
two credible families who've been actively participating in this journey,
(28:03):
Elizabeth Smith and her daughter Ariel Smith Forth and Joy
Reeves along with her son, the very talented poet True
Davis sixteen. Each of these families have brought a unique
perspective on growth, resilience, and the power of intentional family time.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
Thank you all for joining us today. That was beautiful.
Speaker 3 (28:24):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (28:25):
You can listen to all of today's interviews by going
to our station website and typing in keyword community. You
can also listen on the iHeartRadio app yey Words Philadelphia
Community Podcast. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at Lorraine Ballard.
I'm Lorraine Ballard Morrel and I stand for service to
our community and media that empowers. What will you stand for?
(28:49):
You've been listening to what's going on, and thank.
Speaker 4 (28:52):
You, my friend.
Speaker 3 (29:03):
A sum
Speaker 5 (29:09):
Sum
Good morning, Welcome to What's going On? A show about
making a difference in our lives and our communities. I'm
Lorraine Ballad Morrow. Today we're honored to sit down with
families from Cohort sixteen of the FACT Program, Fathers and
Children Together. FACT is a program rooted in strengthening bonds,
building communication, and creating lasting connections between parents and their children.
(00:22):
Joining us today are some incredible families who've been actively
participating in this journey. We welcome Elizabeth Smith and her
daughter Ariel Smith Fourth, as well as True Davis and
his mom, Joy Reeves. Each of these families bring a
unique perspective on growth, resilience, and the power of intentional
family time. We are excited to hear about their experiences,
(00:43):
what they've learned, how they've grown, and what FACT is
meant to them. So let's begin by asking this question
of all of you. What made you decide to join
the FACT program and what were you hoping to get
out of it.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Let's start with Joy.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Well, honestly, my dad was the one who called and
told me, you know what the program was. So my
father's been incarcerated for I'm thirty seven. It's been about
thirty two, thirty three years. So for me, honestly, it
wasn't about me anymore. Not to say that I'm past
the healing. I guess you could say from being a
(01:21):
child now I'm adult. You know, we've gotten over a
lot of obstacles in our own way because the FACT
program wasn't around when I was a child. But it
was a great opportunity for my son to get to
know his grandfather and to have that one on one time,
just literally them two together. So he was ecstatic to
(01:43):
do it, and it just worked out. It worked out.
And plus, you know, since the pandemic, visiting has been
it's more, it's harder now. It's so many more obstacles
that you have to go through just to visit your
family members now. So the fact that I didn't have
to go on the website and register for a visit
(02:04):
and I hope that the visit is approved and he
was just able to just go every Saturday for five
six saturdays, was perfect.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
And for those who don't know about the FACT program,
it's a program that goes over the course of many
weeks and it gives the opportunity for dads, grandfathers, mentors
that are behind the walls of Sci Phoenix to connect
with their kids, with their children, with all their grandchildren
whoever they are connected with, and really create this bonding
(02:37):
experience that is not really normally possible when it comes
to the regular kinds of visitations that occur at maximum
security prison. So let's go to you, True True Davis. Okay,
so tell us what was the experience like for you
participating in the fact program. You're sixteen now, right, So I.
Speaker 5 (02:58):
Really enjoyed it because at first it was just like
me having like well wait meeting for him to call me,
so it was like that's the only time like we
would really like talk and that'll be like randomized, I
don't know when he would call me. But now joining
the actual like program, seeing him like every like Saturday
in person, because I haven't seen him in person in
a long time. I haven't seen him in person since
(03:18):
I was like really little, and that's when we used
to like going on like visits like me, my.
Speaker 4 (03:22):
Mom my, brother, everybody.
Speaker 5 (03:24):
So the fact that I got to see him like
every weekend, it was like really it was really fun
because we just like yapped about anything, was just talking
about anything, so it was like something I was able
to actually look forward to instead of not knowing when
the actual call would come, so I could talk to him.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Yeah, well true.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Just to dig a little deeper into this, what were
some of the things that you walked away that you
didn't know about your grandfather? I know that one of
the things that is very special about the program. So
you get to know a lot about their favorite things, right,
tell us more about that.
Speaker 5 (03:55):
So it's crazy because we actually had like in the
program different like activities we would do, and that was
like one of them.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
It was like write down right there.
Speaker 5 (04:06):
They would ask us questions that we had to write
down the answer what the answer was for the other person.
So it was like, for example, if we had to
write what our favorite color was, I would write what
I thought his favorite color was, and he would write mine,
and then we would go up and say what our
answers was and say if it was right or wrong.
And it was like it was a whole fun experience.
(04:26):
So it was like just being there, it allowed me
to like get more insight on like what he like,
what he listened to, like music wise, like just who
he is, and like actually see like his personality like
in him instead of like on the phone.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Yeah, yeah, that's what's so special about the program. And uh,
let's talk to Elizabeth Smith. Tell us what got you
into the fact program? And your daughter.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
So similar to Joy, you know, her dad brought into
my attention something that he really wanted to get into,
strengthen his bond, you know, with our child. So I
was a little bit like, uh okay, but again it
couldn't hurt like with harm, could it deal with You're right,
So it's more of a strengthening thing. So they already
(05:11):
have that connection, but to strengthen it just for them
to like she comes up on the visits with mom
or mostly grandmom, but just for them to to have
that experience together.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
It's what I was looking forward to.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Yeah, Ariel, what was the experience like for you?
Speaker 6 (05:26):
It was a fun time. I feel like the visits
with just us too. I could really express how I
felt if I couldn't talk around everybody. It was a
fun time. I got to know my father way more,
build a stronger connection. Even though we had a strong connection,
it has grown because I would come every Saturday and
got to know more, way more about my father than
(05:46):
I've ever known.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Was there anything in particular that stands out that you
learned from the program that you didn't have before?
Speaker 6 (05:55):
Just who my father really is, so the things he likes,
the things he likes to do, and how we are
actually very similar.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Okay, very cool.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
So can you describe a moment during the program that
really stood out or made an impact on your family? Now,
I know that the moms don't actually participate in the program,
but you can certainly see the outcomes.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
So I'm wondering.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
If Elizabeth, you could tell us about what you feel
was a moment during the program that really stood out
or made an impact.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
I think the air it out sessions.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Oh yeah, describe what the aired out sessions.
Speaker 4 (06:31):
Are for them.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
I think for the kids it was I mean, I
will let them, you know, say their experience. But when
she came out of the air it Out session, she
was different. It was just everything bottled up that she
wasn't able to say on a fifteen minute phone call
or on the visit with grandmom and mom sitting there
or you know, somebody else sitting there was just them
too to express how she really felt for him to know,
(06:57):
so she expressed it to me or you know to
some type of extent, but for her to fully say
how she feel about her father being incarcerated, and I
think he needed to hear it. So it was a
good I think that was a great experience. And even
for the moms, we had our own little mini air
it out sessions, and you know, Miss Kay was there
(07:18):
and Miss Darlene and it was a lot.
Speaker 1 (07:21):
So I'm sure there's there's a lot of emotion.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
It was and I didn't think, honestly, I didn't think
I needed it, but when Miss k was like, yeah,
you know, you do your erit, and I'm like.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
What do I need the air out? Like, I'm good,
But it needed.
Speaker 3 (07:34):
I needed it for us to express just how we
felt and how it really impacted us.
Speaker 6 (07:40):
It was.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
It was I think that was my favorite part of
the experience, just hearing their you know, doing ars and
crests and doing yoga. I loved hearing that. But the
air it out, I think was my favorite part.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Let's hear it with the other mom here. Joy.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
So I was the I guess you could call me
the defiant parent because true sixteen so he could go
up by himself. So I was pretty much that drop
you off at the drop off point, see when we
get back. But far as like air it out the
relationship that I have with my father because it's always
(08:17):
been mental. I say mental because majority of our bonding
has been over the phone and I grew up. I
don't hold don't hold nothing back like so and.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Surprised when you say that.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Raising him the same way. So I'm very vocal, very communicative,
like we don't hold nothing back at all regardless. So
I mean although as a child, if I could have
got an air out session, oh I would. That's needed, Like,
that's needed, It's really needed for healing.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
Especially as a child.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Sometimes you're not comfortable being able to tell somebody exactly
how you feel.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
That's hard, Yeah, it can.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
It can be intimidating sometimes because you never know well
as a child, like how are they Are they going
to feel a certain type of way about what I'm saying.
Although those are your feelings and you're entitled to them.
But one thing I learned a long time ago is
say how you feel and get it off your chest.
It doesn't matter how the other person feels. Now they know,
and it's up to them how they have to interpret
(09:21):
and move on from there. So that's one blessing I
can say within our relationship, just my father and being
his grandfather, we no whole bars if I'm mad at him.
I can honestly tell you, growing up, there's been plenty
of times I've been mad at my dad and he
would call and I would tell him, I'm mad at you.
I don't care. I'm not answering your next couple phone calls.
(09:43):
Don't call me, and he'll call me and I wouldn't answer.
I'm so serious, But that was the only way that
I could express myself. And then after it was over,
we would talk about it and we would get through it.
And then so we've always had air out sessions. I
guess you could die.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Right yeah, informal, Yeah, for sure, for sure.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Well let's talk to the young folks.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
So true, what was a moment during the program that
really stood out or you feel made a real impact.
Speaker 4 (10:10):
It's not just one, it's like for me, it's a whole.
It's like a few.
Speaker 5 (10:13):
So I'm gonna just say what I remember. It was
a bunch of moments where I feel like it definitely
made me lacking. It was like the kids reactions to
when we would leave a bunch of them was like crying.
I remember that a lot of them, like nobody wanted
to leave every single time it was time to go.
Speaker 4 (10:32):
So just seeing that it made me feel some type
of way.
Speaker 5 (10:34):
It's like, dang, like they dads really can't leave with them,
like and they don't want to leave. They dads knowing
like we're in this like this space right now. It
was that it was also the last thing we did
the graduation because that was when it was like everybody
had wrote something they had wrote like about b pieces
(10:55):
and so the children did it and the dads did it.
And one of the dads like I think you know
he was a grandpa, he was a grandpa.
Speaker 4 (11:03):
He yo, he started balling, he started crying like he
couldn't get through.
Speaker 5 (11:07):
Well he got through it, but it was hard for
him to get through the peace like he started crying.
Speaker 4 (11:11):
So that made me feel some type of way. I
start tearing up.
Speaker 5 (11:14):
And I heard my mom in the bat talk about
something you can do it pop up like so I
know like she was she saw it too. So it's
like knowing, like dang, everybody has like like the way
they feel towards like this whole situation. I know for
sure all the dads want they get out and be
able to like experience like their kids' life and make
up all the times they missed, but it's like at
this moment they can't do that. So right now, in
(11:37):
that current moment I'm speaking, this is the only time where,
like the last time I would say, they would get
to like express how they feel freely before it's back
to like monthly visits. So it was like being able
to like say that like kids too, and the dads.
So I was mainly just looking at the das cause
it's like seeing the reaction to what they kids were saying.
It was everything, But it was just that my memorable
(12:00):
moments right there.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
That's a that's a great moment to share. And I've
been to several graduations, and I think the thing that
really makes me more emotional is seeing these these men.
The men they stand up. A lot of them are big, hulking, strong,
masculine looking guys, and here they are being so tender,
like yeah exactly, and and like and crying like you said,
(12:24):
and and just being so emotionally vulnerable and expressive. It
just if you're in the room, you're going to be crying.
It's just just how it just how it is, just.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
How it is.
Speaker 3 (12:35):
I cried the entire time, the entire time.
Speaker 4 (12:38):
Is this I said?
Speaker 3 (12:40):
Like I said, I was tellings in the background here
at Cutura, I was telling her because for me, it
was very emotional for me because one, I haven't seen
my father in seven years. Wow, I haven't physically seen
him in seven years. We've talked, we did zoom visits,
(13:01):
but that's not the same as a physical hug and seeing,
you know, right in front of you. And I just
knew that it was just emotional altogether. Like it was
just emotional, and it was just it was healing for
me because it was so healing.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
For my dad.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
So I have a brother but he passed, So I
haven't seen my dad since my brother pass So now
as an official only child, you know, and he looks
at his grandson.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
This is his son now, you know.
Speaker 3 (13:33):
So he's adamant about adding to what I've already been
able to do with true and he just wants to
be able to be there. And so within that moment
and seeing just seeing him looking at my son and
that's his grandson. He went before, he's seen him before.
He was to his chest. Now he's three four inches
(13:55):
above his head.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
He's tall.
Speaker 3 (13:57):
Yeah, So you know, it makes a big difference in
just all of the fathers and just the fact that
they were able to be as vulnerable as they were
in front of their kids.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
That's a big deal.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
That's a big deal because I feel like we live
in a society now where everybody just has to be
so everybody wants to be so strong, nobody wants to
show emotion and nobody and then when you do show emotion,
you're criticized and ridiculed for showing their emotion that you
should be showing. You know, that's natural, That's how you
get to stress off, that's how you you know, you
(14:29):
feel better about yourself after a good cry. I always
say that after good cry, you feel better. So it was,
it was, it was beautiful.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
Yeah, Ariel, What about you?
Speaker 1 (14:39):
What what moment during the program really stood out or
made a big impact on your family?
Speaker 6 (14:44):
Probably the air it out because I felt like I
do hold back a lot of emotions at times when
I'm on visits with my mom or my grandma. So
for me just to express how it made me feel
to not have my father here with me, Yeah, I
get to talk, but it's like the connection that we had.
Speaker 4 (15:03):
Was all over the phone.
Speaker 6 (15:05):
So for me to express how I felt to not
have my father there, it kind of helped me like
really sit back and think on, really, what can I
do if you're not here? What can I do to
keep myself motivated to keep going throughout life?
Speaker 2 (15:22):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
So, what were some challenges that you faced in the
program and how did they overcome them together? Because you know,
it's it's a wonderful program, but I'm sure there's some challenges.
It's tough, you know, it's you're having to excavate a
lot of emotions and a lot of history, right, That's
that's you know occurred over the course of your relationship.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
So Elizabeth, what was what was that for you?
Speaker 1 (15:47):
What are some of the challenges that were faced?
Speaker 3 (15:50):
A lot of I think communication, but I know that
the fathers and grandfathers had to go through their own
process before the kids and the parents came on board.
So I think the the therapists or the psychologists that
they had to go through first. I think that really
helps with cole parents and cole parents and has been
(16:10):
really hard. But with them talking to the psychiatrists or
the therapists and the inside that I think that rilled
her dad in a little bit to see.
Speaker 4 (16:18):
A different perspective.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
So it's not just about him, it's about the child,
and it's about the mom too, and how that kind
of blends in to make everything work. So I think
that was a lot of our issues with a lot
of miscommunication or not communicating at all. When I get angry,
I don't communicate.
Speaker 4 (16:37):
I shut down. So just a phone call, you.
Speaker 2 (16:43):
Know, it's time.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
But I think them going through the parents and classes
and the cold parents and classes, it it helped a lot.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
Yeah, because essentially, you know, to co parent, it's it's
a whole different scenario because the dad is not able
to be there or their grandfather's not able to physically
be there. So to have that support and connection is
so important and so challenging. What about you, Joy, just
tell us what the challenges were.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
The only challenge considering because that's his grandfather, that's my father.
He's as as supportive as he can be. It's only
but so much support he can get. And the only
challenge for us, I would say, is the fact that
you know, because his grandson is doing so many things,
(17:33):
like True's a poet, and you know, he can't be
there to see him blossom the way that he's blossomed.
But he's supportive, like I said, he's supportive as he
can be. But the best thing about the fact was
that he was able to experience True and how he
(17:54):
is now and you know, his glory and to see
you know, how artistic he is is because I know
that their first visit was it the first it was
the first visit.
Speaker 4 (18:04):
True did a poem.
Speaker 3 (18:05):
He's always heard how his you know, like his grandson
does poetry. He's and so he did a poem for
you know, for the group, and then from there it
just it blossomed into a thing, like he even did
a poem for about the entire program at the end
that was you know, miss k had it recorded and
everything like that, which was so beautiful and like she
(18:26):
bored everybody to tears.
Speaker 4 (18:28):
This one has away with his words.
Speaker 3 (18:29):
But like my dad, it just even after that when
he called us, he was just like he couldn't believe it,
Like it was just and it awakens something in him,
a more of a more fight, more fight, you know,
because as far as his legal bat on he's trying
to get his sentence overturned so.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
That he can come home.
Speaker 3 (18:47):
It's been years, you know, laws have changed and you know,
the prison reform. Everything is different now. So he's like,
really like, I gotta, I gotta do what I gotta do.
I gotta make it. I gotta has to change so
that he can at least for the rest of his
years be with his grandson. So yeah, that's yeah, Yeah,
(19:08):
it's been it's been good, Like it's really been good.
The fact is, I'm so happy, like we really got involved.
I'm really happy that we did, because if this was
around for me as a child, it would have made
a total difference. It would have made a big difference
in the way that I handle certain things because as
(19:28):
a female, a daughter needs her father, Like I mean,
everybody needs their father, but specifically, like girls need their
dads just as much as the son does.
Speaker 5 (19:41):
You know.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
Like even at the graduation when they gave the they
gave bouquet of roses to the daughters and ms K
and T I broke down. The first thing, I says,
could you are mad? I could never imagine getting flowers
from my father, So just just that little it might
not you know, they're young and no, my dad gave
me flowers, Okay, but later on in life they're gonna
(20:04):
remember like, no, my dad, my dad gave me flowers,
Like I got flowers. Like it means something. It might
not might seem minuscules small, but it means a lot.
Like just that little gesture means a lot, and it
just it held my inner child just to even see that,
just to know like they're getting what they need from
(20:25):
their dad. Their dad might not be here now eventually
when things are circumstances changes, but at least they know
while he's away, I'm still the first person on his mind,
you know, and that's what matters the most.
Speaker 1 (20:38):
Yeah, you know, in my experience working with men who
are behind the walls, first of Greater Ferd and then Phoenix,
is that you get to know the man, right, you don't.
Speaker 2 (20:51):
Outside of whatever they were there for.
Speaker 1 (20:55):
You get to experience I've got to experience these extraordinary men.
Look at someone like Magic, for instance, who's one of
the primary individuals You all nod your head. Yeah, Magic
is is in for life, but he's very much has
been instrumental in the fact program. So outside of everything
(21:16):
that might have occurred that got him there. What I
see before me is a man who has tremendous leadership ability,
incredibly smart, who is just wants to give back. Right, So, Katura,
you're you're standing up next to me. What did you
want to say?
Speaker 4 (21:36):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (21:36):
Okay, So Katura, who's You're the executive director of Fact,
the president of Fact. Katura is behind the scenes.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
She was, she was.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
She handed me a question to throw over to Joy.
What did what did?
Speaker 2 (21:51):
What did your father give you?
Speaker 3 (21:53):
He gave me a single rose? He gave me a
single got you?
Speaker 4 (21:57):
Yes? I did. I did give my flower. I did.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
I did get my flower. My flower is currently getting
pressed and dry so I can have it forever because
that meant the world to me.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
Well, I just want you know, as I was saying,
you get to really see who these men are outside
of whatever got them there. And I wonder if you
can each of you describe the man that your father
or your grandfather is to you and also to would
(22:34):
I be putting you on the spot if I asked
you to repeat a poem? No? Oh great, okay, good,
all right, then I'm gonna put a pin on that
because I want.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
To end with you, because wow. But let's start with you, Ariel.
Speaker 1 (22:46):
What is who is your father to you? What are
the qualities that your father represents to you?
Speaker 6 (22:53):
Mostly my source of strength. I can look up to
my father about anything. If I can talk to my mom,
I can. I know I can talk to my dad
about it. Someone who is trustworthy, active in my life,
and just someone who is always there for me on
my down days. I know will pick me up, will
(23:14):
always know what's wrong with me, just based off my
tone my voice, know if I'm happy sad. So it's
just someone who I know is always there for me
no matter how far he is. I know my father
is always.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
Here and true. Before I hit you up with in
this poem, is what is your grandfather to you? What
are the qualities that you see in this man?
Speaker 5 (23:39):
The first thing that come to me is like the
wise old men with the long beards and like fantasy stories.
Speaker 2 (23:47):
Because it's like Gandalf.
Speaker 5 (23:49):
Yeah, like I'm telling you, because he always got some
form of advice to give me no matter what the
situation is. It can be from like uh for example,
like basketball, to like something breaking down like emotions and
stuff like that, to why you shouldn't do this, or
like what you should do if this had and stuff
like that. Like he always got some form of advice.
(24:10):
So he's just like that smart old boy that I
could always go to. And then he funny too, so
it's like it's a mixed to all this stuff at
the same time. And so it's like, yeah, like my
source of fun too. He'd be introducing me to like
some of these games and stuff. I remember we played cards.
Speaker 4 (24:26):
One time.
Speaker 5 (24:27):
I introduced him to this game called spoons, and he
was so competitive. He won one time and he was
on top of the world, like said, like he was drawing.
But then I beat him and he't won't play no more.
Speaker 6 (24:38):
One.
Speaker 4 (24:39):
He really sweart, like he just he got it. Oh
that's my guy.
Speaker 3 (24:42):
All right.
Speaker 1 (24:42):
So, as I said before, I'm gonna put you on
the spot, and I understand that you are a poet,
So share some poetry for.
Speaker 4 (24:48):
Us, all right.
Speaker 5 (24:49):
I'm gonna do the one I did at the graduation,
right all right? Fathers and children together, Fathers, what if
y'all become just another title given another word to say
about people who impregnated women. Nah, another reason for women
to have to be the mother and father to take
care of their daughters, but leave the sons to explore
a field for the traits the mother couldn't provide them with,
(25:11):
and for what. I don't want to hear no if
ads or but saying if it wasn't for this, or
if this happened, but this nah, if you were present,
that would have been a present for them. Regardless of
your past, your kids should be your future. Instead, I
dropped the ball and left your kids there with an
empty glove in their hand. And that's a fact. The
a is just a separation between the fathers and children.
So no matter how many times we come to visit,
(25:33):
there will always be the thought that we're going to
have to leave soon, and all for what an action,
an accident. I hope what happened was worth that space,
because now you got to live with that space. I
hope you have a suiting helmet, and hope that the
environment around you doesn't make you cold, or hope the
distance between you and your little world doesn't choke you.
Us children have to live, and the result of your
(25:54):
mistakes force detachment. Reaching out for a hand, we won't
be able to hold. Waiting for a phone call with
the time limit withholding emotions just to have a good chat,
only to hear you have one minute left, a reminder
that this relationship is monitored and controlled. We lived with
the weight of anticipation, knowing that we have to wait
for giving time or taking time, a phone call or
(26:14):
freedom that should have stayed yours. Why couldn't we always
have been together, not backs against walls, not tears spilled,
not withheld emotions, but with the connection that was meant
to be rightfully ours. It should be a relationship between
fathers and children and not a relationship between children and
empty space. And that's the fact, and that is for fact,
(26:37):
fathers and children together. This program the bridge over what's missing,
the breath of fresh air for gasping lungs, gave freedom
and confined spaces. Its magic the way it happens, turn
distance into feelings and reach one hand over the other.
And that's the ideal fact experience.
Speaker 1 (26:56):
I said, right, Wow, that was amazing, true Davis, you
are a poet.
Speaker 3 (27:05):
And you know it.
Speaker 1 (27:07):
I love all you guys coming in and sharing your
experience because people need to know that this is what
your experience is like, and that the men behind the walls,
you know there are some guys who belong there and
need to stay in there, and there's some guys that
really evolved and are better people because of it and
don't really need to stay there.
Speaker 6 (27:28):
Right.
Speaker 1 (27:28):
So, you know, I love the FACT program because it
does once again remind us that the men behind the
walls are human beings that have children that they love.
Speaker 2 (27:39):
And want to connect with.
Speaker 1 (27:41):
In Fact is all about connecting fathers and children together.
We've been sitting with families from Cohort sixteen of the
FACT program Fathers and Children Together, FACT to a program
rooted in strengthening bonds, building communication, and creating lasting connections
between parents and their children. We had been joined by
two credible families who've been actively participating in this journey,
(28:03):
Elizabeth Smith and her daughter Ariel Smith Forth and Joy
Reeves along with her son, the very talented poet True
Davis sixteen. Each of these families have brought a unique
perspective on growth, resilience, and the power of intentional family time.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
Thank you all for joining us today. That was beautiful.
Speaker 3 (28:24):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (28:25):
You can listen to all of today's interviews by going
to our station website and typing in keyword community. You
can also listen on the iHeartRadio app yey Words Philadelphia
Community Podcast. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at Lorraine Ballard.
I'm Lorraine Ballard Morrel and I stand for service to
our community and media that empowers. What will you stand for?
(28:49):
You've been listening to what's going on, and thank.
Speaker 4 (28:52):
You, my friend.
Speaker 3 (29:03):
A sum
Speaker 5 (29:09):
Sum
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