Latino Men’s Group Hopes to Raise Fathers’ Awareness

With Father’s Day in mind, a Latino men’s group Wednesday launched a campaign to combat domestic violence and to encourage dads to spend more time reading with their children.

Members of the volunteer group, called the National Compadres Network, were at the Los Angeles Public Library downtown telling schoolchildren stories, singing songs and honoring 10 men who have been good parents.

They said that the problems they are focusing on apply to all ethnic groups, but that they are targeting Latinos to dispel stereotypes, including the belief that Latino men consider it all right to hit women.

“We want people to know that’s one of the myths,” said group member Gil Contreras. “It’s a societal problem.”

Juan Granados, a group member who also is a counselor at New Directions for Youth in Van Nuys, said he will take the group’s message to a North Hills elementary school today.

“This is not, for us, a one-time thing,” Granados said. “We’ll raise awareness.”

Several group members used the library gathering Wednesday to get started pushing the group’s theme of “respetar y leer,” or, “respect and read.”

They spoke of the importance of family and of the devastation often brought by violent relationships, substance abuse or gangs. They plan to seek out community organizations, libraries, youth centers and other places in predominantly Latino neighborhoods.

George Sarabia, 27, of Boyle Heights said he went from being a gang member to becoming a videographer, largely due to the influence of Contreras, a video producer and director. The two met several years ago when Contreras was a Los Angeles Housing Department police officer and Sarabia was a gang member.

“I’ve come such a long way,” said Sarabia, a father of two who was one of those honored for being a good family man. “I didn’t expect to progress. I’ve seen a lot of people die and a lot of people go to prison. I think this is a real good program because it mentors people.”

The group, based in Hacienda Heights, grew from a 10-year-old effort by men throughout the Southwest to gather as a way to encourage an honorable lifestyle.

Many of the elementary school students at the library mainly seemed to enjoy the storytelling and the music. Others were sure they understood the deeper message about reading and responsibilities and why the men were speaking out.

“It’s necessary,” said Hector Arturo, 9. “If they act right, then their children will learn the right way to act when they grow up.”