Pick up the Phone and Listen

As a first time writer my book Pick up the Phone and Listen/Wake up Call is about (The Reality and Actuality of Youth Violence: Family, Community, & Prison). The book brings attention to the rise of youth violence, bullying, recognizing changes in attitude and behavior that affects youths mentally, physically, socially emotionally and educationally.

My book addresses the needs of youths lacking responsible parents, living in a single/two parent family, peer pressure and role models that they can trust and confide in. Their dire need of respect for their personal opinions having someone to listen to what they have to say, the lack of passion and compassion. (Parents and youth need to communicate). In my book there are comments from incarcerated and discharged inmates who became imprisoned at an early age as a juvenile and adult offender, and now wants to share their experiences to help make a difference by giving something back.

Opinions from professionals, parents, and other adults who work with or have youths at risk/at promise are discussed. Pick up The Phone and Listen stresses the need to educate and make our children aware as young as toddlers and preschoolers regarding violence, hate, prison, crime and bullying by having volunteers during presentation in our schools and communities. I also express my concern of holding adults accountable for their actions and non actions when being irresponsible for our children’s, safety, health, welfare and education. In my book I share the importance of my family foundation, Parents for Prevention.

A section of my book is a autobiographical, describing my childhood growing up in the 60s, my “Vietnam” experience, my 25 years of employment as a Operation’s Officer with the Department of Corrections at the Erie County Prison and my introduction and training into Martial Arts. As a result of this experience I gained mind and body Discipline.

I was the first karate instructor who trained and promoted my student Billy Blanks, the “Tae Bo” founder and Martial arts movie star, to his first- and -second - degree black belts as an inner city youth growing up in Erie Pennsylvania during the early 70s. I talk about the Billy Blanks I use to know. (Photos are included in my book).

Founder of the following programs The Karate Fighting School of Self Defense- 1969 Women on Guard Program- Self Preservation- 1974 Children on Guard Program-Self Preservation- 1979 Erie County Prison Juvenile Awareness Program-prevention-1986 Youth on a Mission Team Inc.- Youth Service-1990 Victims of Bullies ALLY Group Exposure- Support Group-(V.O.B.A.G.E)

My book addresses the needs of youth who lack positive role models who they can trust and confide in. Their dire need of respect for their personal opinions is described. Comments from incarcerated inmates who become imprisoned at an early age as a result of what's missing in their life and family. Opinions from professionals, parents, and other adults who work with or have youths at risk are discussed. Wake Up Call stresses the need to educate our children as young as toddlers and preschoolers regarding violence, hate, prison and crime by having volunteers present lectures in the schools.

A section of the book is autobiographical, describing my childhood growing up in the 60's, my "Vietnam" experience, my employment as a Corrections Officer with the Department of Corrections at the Erie County Prison and my introduction into martial arts.

I was the first karate instructor who promoted Billy Blanks, the "Tae Bo" founder and martial arts movie star, to his first-and-second-degree black belts. As an inner city youth growing up in Erie during the early 70's, Billy persevered to reach his goals by hard work and training. Today, his name is a household word and he serves as a positive role model for our youth. "Inside Edition" interviewed me in April of this year because of my early experience with Billy Blanks, (photos are included in my book).

Author Peter Ellikan is an author, law counsellor and a journalist from Boston Massachusetts, who wrote the book "The Tough on Crime Myth" in 1996, recently contacted me. He invited me to write and send my opinion on juvenile violence and incarceration for his latest book "Super Predator," published in 1999.

Founder of the Following Programs

The Karate Fighting School of School Defense - 1969 (Head Master) - to present
The Women On Guard Program - 1974 to present
The Children ON Guard Program - 1979 to present
Erie County Prison Juv. Awareness Program - Scared Straight 1986 to present
The Youth On A Mission Team - 1990 to present
Victims of Bullies ALLY Group Exposure (V.O.B.A.G.E.) 2004

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AUTHOR IS AVAILABLE FOR SPEAKING PRESENTATIONS