Kick-off Breakfast Engages the Community

September 22nd “Shoulder to Shoulder” (STS) launched their multi-year campaign to “Break the Cycle of Fatherlessness in Del Paso Heights”.  The event, held at First Presbyterian Church in Roseville, was attended by over 120 community leaders who represented different churches and businesses.  Assemblymen Ted Gaines was the Master of Ceremonies for the breakfast and shared his support for STS and the vision to equip urban fatherless young men for life, enabling them to become well-balanced, mature men in their family and community, and breaking the cycle of fatherlessness.  Three speakers, Bill Coibion, Founder and President of STS; Dr. Sam Huddleston, a member of the STS’s Advisory Board; and Sherwood Carthen, Chaplain for the Sacramento Kings, shared their encouragement for the cause and efforts of the staff and volunteers at STS.

Community leaders enjoyed a delicious breakfast catered by Randy Peters Catering before the day’s program began. STS’s mentoring effort, Freedom Hall, is located on the campus of Martin Luther King Jr. Technology Academy in Del Paso Heights, Sacramento.  After an inspiring video about Freedom Hall, which included the voices of 12 different people about how Shoulder To Shoulder, has impacted them, Bill Coibion spoke briefly about the vision, mission and background of STS, followed by a brief message from Sam Huddleston.  Then STS’s, Man on the Street, Don Male, interviewed several urban fatherless young men involved in Freedom Hall, grateful mothers, and some of the mentors involved in the program.  Their sharing revealed to community leaders the impact Freedom Hall has on young men in 2 to 3 years.  In addition, Frank Porter, Superintendent of Twin Rivers School District and Board of Trustees President, Michelle Rivas, shared their support and appreciation for the efforts of STS and the impact it has had at MLK and the District.

Sherwood Carthen then shared an inspiring message about the true definition of success.  His message inspired community leaders to more clearly see the opportunity to help bring others along with them as an integral part of success.

Team STS was blessed by the supporters that came to the breakfast.  The cycle of fatherlessness will only be broken when people come together and decide to make a stand and assist these young men.  Our hope is that the breakfast was merely a spark that begins to ignite STS’s multi-year campaign.

STS intends to reach 1,000 businesses and 200 churches to partner with STS over the next 10 years.  The goal is to have each church and/or business provide tutors, mentors or give $1,000 a year ($83.33 a month) to support one of our young men.  Meeting this goal will help “Break the Cycle of Fatherlessness” in Del Paso Heights.

STS Breakfast Fundraiser

Community gathers to discuss ways to support STS



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