reconstruction inc.

HISTORY & PURPOSE: LEAD was originated from another of the projects of Reconstruction, Inc.: The Alumni Ex-Offenders Association (AEA). The original members were young people who were either leaving confinement or under some measure of supervision by the industrial prison complex. The main focus of the LEAD project is to prevent young people from entering into the adult prison system by training them in political and life skills that can motivate them to organize in their families and their communities. The LEAD Project is designed to create a learning environment in which young people can strengthen their organizational structure and processes. In addition to training in organizational development, LEAD designs and facilitates retreats and conferences. LEAD sponsors personal growth groups for youths and organizations that address youth issues. LEAD provides critical thinking, decision making, problem solving, peer counseling and facilitation skills. The goal of the group is to help participants to become self-determining, responsible and accountable, to themselves and others. Finally, LEAD strives to assist young people to understand the world in which they live, and how best to address the situations that the world poses for them.

MEMBERSHIP:
The ages of members in LEAD range from 12 – 34 years of age. Currently there are three active members of LEAD: Deion F. Morrison, Tray Hartsfield and Terrell Whitfield. [Note: There have been numerous young people who have participated in the various trainings offered by LEAD, and then have ventured on into other areas of concentration].
LEAD’S ORGANIZATIONAL FORMAT:
LEAD functions by addressing three areas: INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT
                                                                      PUBLIC RELATIONS & OUTREACH
                                                                      RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT: Helping to develop each member with personal issues by addressing structure, family and political.
PR & OUTREACH: Meeting and working with Youth Organizations throughout the City of Philadelphia (and other States).
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT: Finding ways and means of funding the endeavors of the organization and contacting other Resources for Training, etc.
LEAD’S PRIMARY TOPICS/FOCUS:
EMOTIONAL AWARENESS
FAMILY DYNAMICS
INSTITUTIONAL AWARENESS
EMOTIONAL AWARENESS: Participants explore the origins of their behavior patterns. They learn how to identify and understand their emotions and the role of their emotions in the various activity/actions that they are involved in.
FAMILY DYNAMICS: This component engages participants in exploring the dynamics within their families. The group explores how class and race influence family dynamics.
INSTITUTIONAL AWARENESS: Participants understand the definition of institution. They learn how they suffer, benefit and influence institutions. In addition, participants explore their individual and collective responsibility to various institutions.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
LEAD members can be contacted by writing to:

ATTN: LEAD
RECONSTRUCTION, INC.
P.O. BOX 7691
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 19101
215-223-8180