SENATE MEMORIAL 95

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Sander Rue

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING AND HONORING FATHERS BUILDING FUTURES FOR ITS OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

     WHEREAS, the vision of fathers building futures is to ensure that parents and families experiencing barriers from incarceration have the best opportunities for emotional, social and financial stability; and

     WHEREAS, fathers building futures is an entrepreneurial and skills-building program for formerly incarcerated fathers who are breaking the cycles of incarceration, violence, drug abuse and child abuse and neglect; and

     WHEREAS, fathers building futures provides affordable, meaningful and expert services to the community, such as auto detailing, mobile power-washing, woodworking and freight enterprises; and

     WHEREAS, more than three hundred fifty fathers have participated in the fathers building futures program, with a success rate of over seventy-five percent of these men remaining out of prison, holding down jobs and supporting their families; and

     WHEREAS, more than three hundred fifty children have established a relationship with their fathers, or are living with their fathers, due to the support of the fathers building futures program; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico sentencing commission report of December 2015 cited a recidivism rate of twenty-four and four-tenths percent for fathers building futures participants, compared to New Mexico's overall recidivism rate of forty-seven and four-tenths percent; and

     WHEREAS, there is a demonstrated need in New Mexico for more programs in skills building and job placement to support men and fathers who have been incarcerated;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that representatives of fathers building futures be recognized for advancing the program's leadership every day, for continuing to advocate for programs and policy changes that support fathers who have been incarcerated and for building brighter futures for their families; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the fathers building futures program be recognized for its role in filling a vital need and for its outstanding service to the community; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to fathers building futures.

- 3 -