Voices of the Fatherless Letters from incarcerated dads aimed at breaking the prison pipeline

Fatherlessness is one of our nation's most critical and long-running pandemics.

43% of U.S. children live without their father

85% of youth in prisons grew up in a fatherless home

90% of homeless and runaway children are from fatherless households

Homes where fathers are absent have a direct correlation to negative outcomes affecting youth in our country. According to the National Fatherhood Initiative, 63 percent of teen suicides, 70 percent of juveniles in state institutions, 71 percent of high school dropouts, and 75 percent of children in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless families. But behind these staggering nameless, faceless statistics are real people.

Voices of the Fatherless introduces readers to their stories through a transparent, gripping collection of letters written by incarcerated dads revealing the impact of growing up without a father. They are written to fatherless children, including the wounded child trapped inside of the imprisoned men still crying out for their own father's love. The letters touch on the areas of:

*Education
*Expressing emotions
*Respecting authority
*Friendships
*Faith

The goal of Voices of the Fatherless is to inspire, motivate, and encourage people to understand the issues that exist as a result of fatherless families and households in our country. This book is aimed at not only exploring the problem but also helping to find a solution. It can be used in homes, schools, organizations, and institutions to open the pathway to understanding, conversation, forgiveness, and, prayerfully, lasting change.

Percy is passionate and purpose-driven to help children living in single-parent families. He became a single parent as a sophomore in college while attending Lamar University on a football scholarship in his hometown of Beaumont, Texas.

Despite this unexpected life change, Percy graduated with a bachelor's degree in Business Marketing and went on to excel in the corporate world as an account manager in pharmaceutical sales. His career path has given him more than three decades of experience with Fortune 500 companies, including Walmart, UPS, Bayer, and Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

His passion to serve was ignited after hearing a message by Derek Prince on loving your neighbor as yourself when he was 26 years old. The message encouraged caring for orphans, widows, the poor, and the oppressed. Percy knows from personal experience the need for support from family, friends, and your local church. He believes his experiences as a proud parent to his son, Alex, for more than 25 years have given him wisdom and insights to benefit single parents. He's grateful for the love and support he received as a single father from his immediate family and trusted friends.

Percy is currently an active member at Woodsedge Community Church located in Spring, Texas under the leadership of Pastor Jeff Wells.

For more information on the man and his mission, visit www.voicesofthefatherless.org. Nationally known leader and scholar Dr. Ken Canfield, founder of the National Center for Fathering, penned the foreword for Voices of the Fatherless. Diane Tezeno, co-founder and managing editor of Empower Magazine, served as co-editor. Sarni Jaye, literary and lifestyle PR/marketing specialist, served as co-editor.