Project Fatherhood: A Story of Courage and Healing in One of America’s Toughest Communities

“This book combines sociology, tough-love prescriptions, evidence of genuine growth (and the growing pains that come with it) and an eyes-wide-open account of men struggling to be better…Provides unique insights into a community intent on moving forward.” —Kirkus Reviews“With a sharp ear for dialogue, Leap profiles the Project Fatherhood men candidly and compassionately… Leap observes and captures, in members’ own words, the group’s development and its members’ four years of progress toward healing their families, and perhaps, their community.”  —Publishers Weekly“Funny, hopeful, heart-warming and eye opening, Project Fatherhood has life-changing lessons for every reader.”—Shelf Awareness“I have known Jorja Leap as a brilliant researcher, but she turns out to be an even more gifted listener and storyteller. And this is a story about men, and fathers, and race, and poverty, and struggle, and hope. This book is delivered with street-level honesty, nuance, texture, and power—and should be required reading for those among us invested in a more hopeful urban America.” —Robert K. Ross, MD, president and CEO, The California Endowment“Jorja Leap’s fine Project Fatherhood is more than an anthropological study and ethnographic research project. It is a window and a promise. The reader is given a view of courageous men as architects of their own healing. As well, it offers hope for real solutions in our inner cities born from the community itself. Leap’s fidelity to these men’s voices offers us all hope, resilience and the kind of profound healing so longed for in urban America.” —Gregory J. Boyle, SJ, founder and executive director, Homeboy Industries“Jorja Leap breaks the mold. I've seen her in action, working with former gang bangers in Los Angeles’ most troubled parts, prodding battle-scarred men to be better husbands and fathers; indeed, better human beings. Witnessing her among these OGs, seeing the trust she has earned and the burdens she has eased, can best be summed up in one word—amazing.” —Kurt Streeter, ESPN