In  this issue:

1. Honoring the Good Guys - Celebrating Father's Day
2. Resources for Dads (brothers, uncles, teachers, friends - and moms!)
3. 2009 Black & White Ball presented by Accenture

Honoring The Good Guys

This year will mark the 100 year anniversary of the Father's Day holiday in America. Texas Advocacy Project would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the men in our community who have served as loving fathers, and to thank those who have been inspirational father figures and male mentors to both children and adults alike.

One man in particular has not only served as an inspirational role model to fathers and children throughout Texas but has organized and recruited other men to do the same. We are of course talking about Texas Advocacy Project partner Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboy and founder of the SCORE Foundation. The SCORE Foundation is a unique initiative placing full-time, trained male mentors in battered women's shelters throughout Texas. The mentors, called SCOREkeepers, seek to demonstrate positive male behavior to children living in shelters in an effort to break the cycle of violence that plagues families affected by abuse. Since its inception in 2007, the foundation has placed full time Scorekeepers at six different domestic abuse shelters across the state of Texas.

Jason was honored as a finalist for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2007, was named a Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP for his extensive work in the community in 2008, and in September of that same year, Witten was named by the Texas Council on Family Violence as one of the 30 Stars Over Texas, honoring those who have made a significant difference in fighting domestic violence in Texas. Jason Witten is himself living proof that even an uncertain home life as a young child can turn around with a strong positive role model, as his grandfather and football coach was in his life. To learn more about the SCORE Foundation and the numerous ways it is helping build a better community in Texas please visit www.jasonwitten82.com.

Jason Witten is a clear example of what one person can do to improve the lives of countless others in their community. And we hope his story inspires readers to be a positive mentor for children in need. We at Texas Advocacy Project also want to acknowledge that simply serving as a kind, caring parent is making the world a better place one child at a time. And we would like to thank all the great dads out there for doing just that. Thank you and happy Father's Day!

Resources for Dads (brothers, uncles, teachers, friends - and Moms!):

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about healthy parenting, becoming a male mentor in the community, or understanding more about harmful attitudes towards women and how to help change them, we have listed several resources below:

Fatherhood Initiative - U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services: http://www.fatherhood.hhs.gov/

Effective Fathering: http://www.menstime.com.au/ebooks/Fathering.pdf

Dads and Daughters - US national advocacy nonprofit that provides men tools to be better fathers and advocates for daughters: http://www.dadsanddaughters.org/

The Macho Paradox: Why Some Men Hurt Women and How All Men Can Help: http://www.jacksonkatz.com/

Information on U. S. and international anti-sexist men's organizations (and much more): http://www.xyonline.net/

Accenture Presents the Black and White Ball
benefiting Texas Advocacy Project

On October 23, 2009 from 7:00-11:00pm join Texas’ top lawyer, Honorary Chair Attorney General Greg Abbott and confirmed guest legendary lawmaker A.R. “Babe” Schwartz as Texas Advocacy Project celebrates 27 years of service. The evening will feature live music, elegant hors d'oeuvres created by Chef Elmar Prambs and one of the city's most amazing auctions of the year. Prepare to be dazzled at the Four Seasons by bRILLIANT Magazine publisher and society powerhouse Lance Avery Morgan, who will be the evening's emcee. A special thank you to High Beam Events and the Floral Studio who are generously setting the stage for a beautiful Ball. Live auction items include elegant trips to ski and sand, Whidbey Island (Washington), jewelry from David Yurman, signed Tiger Woods memorabilia, UT sport packages and much more!

To purchase tickets or to become a sponsor visit http://www.signmeup.com/65357

family violence legal line

800-374-hope (Statewide)

512-476-5770 (In Austin)

family law hotline

800-777-fair (Statewide)

512-476-1866 (In Austin)

sexual assault legal hotline

888-296-safe (Statewide)

512-225-9290 (In Austin)

technical advocacy hotline

888-325-safe (Statewide)

512-476-5386 (In Austin)