Remaking Jordan Downs

Members of Project Fatherhood knock on doors in Jordan Downs to help spread the word about the program. Made up almost entirely of African Americans, the group is eager to include more Latino fathers. Latinos make up the majority of residents at Jordan Downs.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Members of Project Fatherhood, including Mike “Big Mike” Cummings, right, knock on doors in Jordan Downs to help spread the word about the program, which has been attracting more participants.   (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Craig McGruder embraces a friend at Jordan Downs. McGruder has twin 17-year-old sons including Vincent, right. McGruder hopes his involvement with Project Fatherhood will help his children avoid some of the mistakes he made as a young man.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

“Big Mike” Cummings, right, is an ardent believer in Project Fatherhood, a group based in Jordan Downs that tries to help male residents become better fathers.   (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Craig McGruder holds his granddaughter Kaylin during a meeting of Project Fatherhood. Kaylin is the daughter of one of his 17-year-old twins. The other twin recently became a father too.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Craig McGruder leaves fliers promoting Project Fatherhood, a group of men that meets once a week at Jordan Downs to discuss a range of emotional and parenting issues.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Craig McGruder spends time with his family during a weekend barbecue outside his home in Jordan Downs. His twin 17-year-old sons Victor, left, and Vincent, center, join him. Vincent is holding his infant son, Vincent Jr. McGruder has been bringing his sons to Project Fatherhood meetings.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Victor, right, and Vincent McGruder hang out with friends and family outside their home in Jordan Downs. The 17-year-old twins recently became fathers and have been attending Project Fatherhood meetings.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Craig McGruder sweeps the sidewalk leading to his sons’ home in Jordan Downs.   (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Craig McGruder walks through Jordan Downs with his twin 17-year-old sons Vincent, left and Victor. McGruder is trying to instill some wisdom in his sons about raising their own children and avoid the mistakes he made when he was their age.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

A member of Project Fatherhood goes door to door in Jordan Downs to help spread the word about the parenting program.   (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)