May 2024 Newsletter

Mental Health Awareness Month

​May is Mental Health Awareness Month! This month is dedicated to advocating, destigmatizing, and promoting mental health and mental health resources. Given that My People’s mission is inherently rooted in promoting mental wellness, we would like to provide a mental health checklist that can be used daily to maintain mental well-being

The 5th Down Conference  

My People hosted the 5th Down Conference at Capital Community College on Wednesday, May 29th. This initiative was conceived by Rockville high schoolers Amir Muhammad and Nate Palmer with the intention of supporting male athletes in navigating the various transitions they can encounter. The "5th Down" initiative delved into mental health challenges for young male athletes, including depression, anxiety, athletic identity, and personal growth while emphasizing self-discovery, resilience, and lasting happiness. The conference featured guest speakers including Donaven Tennyson, Coaches Pablo and Julian Ortiz, CEO and COO of Dilligence Personal Training Devonte Dillion and Terrell Huff, as well as Executive Director of the Dream Support Network Mathew Rivera and My People’s Executive Director Abudul-Rahmaan I. Muhammad. Thank you to all the staff and volunteers who supported us in this important initiative

The H.O.N.O.R. Program

On May 16th, My People Community Services wrapped up the impactful Manhood Tree Group at Cheshire Correctional Institution, marking a mark in prison programming. Participants expressed gratitude, with two trained to lead future sessions, highlighting collaboration with the H.O.N.O.R. program.   Simultaneously, the Fatherhood Manologues Cohort #3, also concluded on     May   16th, showcased 14 inmates sharing moving narratives on fatherhood, emphasizing the program's transformative impact and participants' eagerness to mentor future cohorts.

​Father Equality, Inclusion, and Equity Training

The FFNSC lunch and learn was presented by Abdul Muhammad on May 22 in Massachusetts in a training that re-imagined equity from a fatherhood lens and discussed what is needed to give fathers the equity they deserve including topics of inclusion and father equality.

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Guests At Peace Be Still

​My People was invited to the Mental Health Book Signing event on May 8 for Peace Be Still: My Son’s Bipolar Disorder written by Medina Jett. The book is about the challenges associated with caring for and getting treatment for a young adult with a mental illness. My People featured the agency at a table before the event during the Mental Health and Resource Segment. That tabling opportunity demonstrated that the Hartford community recognized and valued My People’s work. Keep it up, everyone!