Dear Mr. Lewis,

I'm writing this to you while still @ the Compton Campus. I originally came today to drop off my aunts 2 boys and leave. Upon arrival I was continuously greeted by Men wearing suits exhibiting Leadership and Respect as they guided me to the next step in registration & then the Parent meeting room. Needless to say I was taken aback & knew that I had to get MY son to this place. After asking the ladies handling regristration a few Q's & getting the green light from your Brother, Mr. Demitrius Brooks, my son arrived approx 45mins later. As my son went through the regristration process not completly understanding what he was doing here, I quietly instructed him to stay with his cousins & pay attention to everything he sees & hears today. I have never been more impressed & proud to be in attendance at a conference or meeting.

You & your Brothers have made me feel completly welcome & embraced with the love & respect that has been exhibited. I will give you a little background about my son.  He was named after his father & grandfather. He is my first born & the oldest of three children that I have w/ his Father. After being married just four days shy of 10 years, my husband brutally beat my son. Once I found out this information, I knew that I was about to take a very rough road going completly uphill. I called my husband & explained that he had 2 hours to leave our home or the Sheriff would come & get him out. That was the beginning of the end of our marriage. I came home to a 9 year old boy who was lethargic & barely able to stand. His face looked like he had been in a fight with Paqiou. I rushed him to the Sheriff station, then the ER. I pulled him to the side amidst all of the officers & chaos surrounding us, bent down to my sons eye level, looked @ him in his eyes & said, you are not a victim. I will not allow you to feel sorry for yourself & curl up in a corner somewhere & die. We're going through this together, you are not alone.

After speaking, I asked him if he understood me. He shook his head & answered "yes". As time passed & we struggled to pick up the pieces my son became violent, angry & confused. In his own words, "I was broken". We've been in a whirlwind of Pschologists, Therapists, Teachers, Principals, Family & Prayer ever since. His Father has all but disappeared from his life, seeing him only 1 day a week for about 8-10hrs. The kids don't know where he lives, he doesn't call them @ all or come to any of their BDay Parties. I have left the door open for him. But he's so angry w/ me that he refuses to come around. Realizing that I had a black man child to raise w/ no experience I reached out to 3 different close family friends to help me raise my son as mentors. They all agreed but never made time.

I wrote the aforementioned to say this; I have been waiting for almost 2 years for some real Men that look like my son & that my son could relate to, to come around. I believe that I found that w/ your Band of Brothers. Please keep me in the loop about any upcoming events, classes, volunteer projects or otherwise that my son can participate in. If he has some real Men to answer to, I'm sure that he will make some wise decisions about his future. Thank you so much Mr. Lewis for coming to Compton College today. God Bless Your Family & Omega Psi Phi.

Peace & Richest Blessings

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Brother Ricky,
 
My son James and I attended the event yesterday.  James is 10.  He was thrilled.  He was shocked and pleased to receive the Athletic Scholar Award.  He's talking about learning Latin, making model airplanes, and careers in aerospace.  He says he definitely wants to return next year.   AND he wants to know if he "can be one of the brothers?"  I'd say your event was an overwhelming success!
 
Every speaker provided important information that is needed in every black household.  Black folks work very hard to give their kids a better life.  One of the most important insights that I learned is that we need to work harder to teach them discipline, perseverance and hard work are mandatory so they can maintain and surpass the lifestyle that we are "giving" them.  I am working now to formulate how to institute changes in my household so that we emulate to positive habits of successful people. It is certainly a challenge requiring as much discipline on the part of the parents as on the children.
 
Thanks to you and all the Omega brothers and your volunteers for wanting the best for our children.
 
Please forward the details for the conference on November 14 and keep me on your mailing list for all events that will help black families and children succeed and prosper.
 
I would like to take my son on the JPL tour.  I was wondering if you could pass on Ed Massey's email or contact information.  I'd love for my son to meet him.
 
Most Sincerely,
Vicki Beck

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Good Morning:
 
This was our first time attending and my son and I enjoyed the sessions.  It served to expand our knowledge in various areas.  Also, kudos to the time keeper and for being an example of how effective and productive events are when time management skills are utilized.
 
Thanks!

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First and foremost, thank you for allowing Jordan to attend the conference this year at such a short notice. I are very appreciative.  Every year he fights me NOT to attend then thanks us after the conference is over.

A Mother

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Mr. Lewis:
 
Thank you for a wonderful day.  My son was apprehensive about attending but when I picked him up he said he might want to go next year.  He had a good day. 
 
I was only able to attend some of the parent coference.  I wish I would have known it was going to be an all day event.  I would have scheduled my day differently. 
 
Thank you for the knowledge and the support of your brothers.  It is good to know that our young men have support. 
 
I hope to attend next year.

Shelly Rodriguez

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Dear Brother Ricky:
 
I cannot thank you and the Brothers of Omega for your dedication to making sure this fantastic program is available to our boys for 16 years!  As a single mother, this is the only resource that I can confidently (and consistently) rely upon to help guide me through this awesome and sometimes overwhelming task of raising a young Black boy.  Again, thank you.  I have shared this information with at least 2 other mothers who are eager to participate next year.
 
Lastly, Dr. Maddox was asking for topic suggestions and I would like to add another to the ones I've already made.  Essentially, I struggle with my son talking back (and always having an excuse for when he drops the ball) and, in my opinion, being ungrateful.  Everything always has to be about him and there does not seem to be an appreciation for the fortunate situation he is in.  Is that "Respecting Your Elders?" "Humility. Letting Your Ego Go?"  Whatever it is, I'd like some creative input on that.
 
Again, the topics and guidance this year were invaluable and I truly give thanks for your presence in the community.
 
A big OO-OOP to you and all the Bros of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
 
All the best,
Danielle M. Forbes
(son:  Sundiata Forbes-Hendy)

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Ricky Lewis and the rest of the Omega family, we want to thank you so much for taking the time to educate our family this Saturday.  This conference has the ability to change generations one child at a time.  Through this conference the Omega family has truly provided an opportunity for children and parents to understand the importance and benefits of a higher education, positive role models, giving back to ones community, embracing ones culture, fellowship and love.  The positive images our son was exposed to at your conference is priceless!  You have truly planted a seed in my family's heart and we would not be able to sleep without thanking you.
 
Much Love,
The Rajania Family

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Mr. Lewis,

I just wanted to thank you for this conference, and let you know how much it was needed by me and my boys.  I have a 15 year old son, and a 15 year old foster son.  When I heard you talking about this conference on the Steve Harvey Morning Show, I knew that I had to get them there.  My son has been broken, ever since his father walked out on us this past April.  After a 23 year marriage, he decided that he wanted his coworker more than he wanted us.  My children, my daughter is 20, and my mother-in-law that he left with me, have all been devastated, and depressed since he left.  I however, don't have time to  be depressed since I have to figure out how to keep a roof over all of our heads, as my ex had stated that he wanted a free and clear break, so he will not pay one penny for child support, or spousal support and has basically disowned our children while he has moved his new woman and her children five minutes from our house. 

I have been umeployed since October of 2008, and have been living off of EDD and my 401k.  Since he left, my son has given up on everything.  He tested gifted and talented a few years ago, and was in accelerated classes.  Now he brings home D's and F's, and says that he is not smart, and why try to do better since he will just fail anyway.  I feel like I spend all of my time trying to motivate him, my daughter, and my mother-in-law, to keep going, because I can not do everything by myself, I need their help and participation or we will all be sleeping under a freeway.

My foster son, this is his third time in the system.  His mother keeps having issues with drugs.  He is clueless about life.  He just wants to play video games and skateboard.  He had been missing school months at a time when he was home, so education is irrelevant to him.

I feel like I am fighting an uphill battle, but my faith in God has kept me strong.  I knew that I had to get a mentor for my son, because he has become comfortable with his excuse of not being smart, then he gets angry when I say  that I will get him a tutor.  He is in a challenging spot right now, and I feel that if I can't save him now, he will not make it.  His father is no help in the area, as he was a minister at our church for 15 years, and has now walked away from that also, so he will not encourage our son to do whats right for fear of having to look at himself in a mirror.

At the break on Saturday, I asked my boys what they thought about everything.  I was ecstatic about all of the information that I had received, escpecially from Mrs. Corliss.  My foster son said,... "It was boring, we just sat there staring at everyone."  That really bursted my bubble, as I was so motivated and had hoped that they would have been also.  But I said to myself, inspite of that, I would not quit, I would keep doing what I knew was right, I would not allow them to discourage me to do what I know is best for them.  By that afternoon when we dismissed, they both had a new attitude.  My son was even inquiring on whether or not there was a junior Omega group that he could join.  He called our friend, and one who is a frat brother of yours, Larry Hilliard, to tell him about his experience, but got his voice mail, so he called his wife, who he calls Aunt Fefe, to tell her.

I am going to start preparing them for college today.  I am going to get the word list from Mrs. Corliss for the SAT, and we are going to start learning words.  I am also going to enroll them in Boxing and Karate, as many of the speakers said that our boys need to stay busy and to stay off of the video games.

Thank you so much for you time, and I will look forward to us being there next year.

Carmen Morris

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Ricky,
 
Greetings and I want to thank you for your wonderful conference.  I volunteered for my 3rd year and truly wished I could have participated in the parenting sessions.  These slides are awesome and will be put to good use.  I am interested in your assistance in obtaining scholarships for my son who is in his senior year.  A few brothers instructed me to let you know the need and that you could give me info on this subject.  Miles Mabin is my son and any and all info regarding college admissions and financial assistance is greatly appreciated.  I am a single mother and I do well by my children but the cost of my sons future education is enormous and requires divine intervention.  :)  Please reply with any and all reference materials that you can. 
 
Kind Regards,
JG

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Brother Lewis,
Just wanted to take a minute and share a single observation that may be helpful for the YLC next year:
 
- Name tags w/professions maybe helpful for easily identifying Brothers to parents & kids they are most interested in interacting with during the breaks
 
The conference itself was well executed and very well organized...Kudos to you all for putting on an event of this magnitude & impact on the surrounding communities.

It was great to spend the day with fellow "Brothers of Omega" and put to practice what we preach about Uplift.  I look forward to participating in ALL future community events.
 
Fraternally Yours,
Ken 'Hutch' Hutchison

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Hi Ricky,

I just wanted to take this time to express my gratitude for having the opportunity to attend to the 16th Annual Youth Conference at Compton College on Saturday with my son, Kyle. One of the things he said to me, “Mom, I like the fact that the Conference tried to teach us to be men.” I appreciate the time and all the efforts put forth to host such an important event. All of the guest speakers were professional and very informative.  The one thing I remember was your offer (The Omegas) to continue to embrace and direct our children while in college even if our boys do not pledge to the fraternity.  I do wish to be kept informed of future events and if I can be of some assistance I will try to lend my support !

Please remember to notify when the Conference is held in the Antelope Valley/ San Fernando Valley areas.

Sincerely,
Jamika DeVille

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"I would like to say Thank You to you and the Fraternity for your commitment to positively impacting the youth. It was great to see all of the men caring about our Black youth and it was also just as rewarding to see the youth seeking guidance."

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Hello, Mr. Lewis.

We indeed were there. I saw you when my grandson and I were standing in line to register. You were busy speaking with people and were too far away for me to call out to you. I also saw you in the meeting with the parents. I was very impressed with you and the other Omega men who were involved with yesterday's activity. The day was very beneficial for my grandson, as I'm sure it was for most of the young men in attendance. Thank you for allowing us to participate in the event. AT&T was pleased to be a part of your event. I hope we are able to do so again next year.

Continued success and blessings in all you do.

Charlotte Arrick

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Good Evening Mr. Lewis,

I apologize for not getting back to you sooner but this is peak recruitment time and I'm down two staff members so I have truly been a road warrior. Thank you for allowing me to have a small part in your 13th Annual Male YLC on last Saturday. I felt privileged to have been a part of such a great event. I was so excited I had to call my husband and daughter during the event. I spoke with your wife and she said that you have this conference on the 4th Saturday of October every year. I would like to continue to provide whatever I can to these conferences from hear on out and I am making that commitment to your organization. Just let me know what you may need and how many. Also if you have workshops for parents I would be more than happy to present to parents. With regard to the prospect cards I talked with Mr. Calhoun and he advised me that he would be going out of town. He was going to try to get together with me early Sunday morning but I told him I could wait until he returned this week to get the cards. Thanks again for the opportunity to help.

Dr. Gayle Parker, Director
University Outreach and Information Services
California State University, Dominguez Hills

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My son Dari and I totally appreciate the time and effort you gentlemen put into this past weekends conference. I see the need in all the single women there to try to find answers for their boys. Although my son has heard all the things you guys mentioned, it was good to have it reinforced while he was with his peers. We will definitely stay in touch w/this program as many of you live and work in my neighborhood. Once again, thank you very much.

Mr Daryl A. Smith.

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Brother Lawrence;

I would like to know if it is feasible to have an application for the upcoming Conference faxed to me at (xxx) xxx-xxx. I have another grandson, DeAirs Hall, 15 yrs. old, that I would like to have him enjoy the wonderful experience that my son David and Grandson Darshall have experienced for the past three years. I can assure you and the rest of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. that they have and continue to value and appreciate the information,assistance, and guidance that they have gained from the experience that your extraordinary Fraternity, TauTau Chapter has given them the opportunity to participate in.

We were initially introduced to the conferences through the good graces of your brother Kent Jones my co-worker, and I am most grateful for his enlightenment to this priceless path that you have led so many young men down in the past 9 years. You all will have my heart-felt appreciation and support for your interest and sincere efforts, past, present and in the future.

Respectfully,

John Thomas