Music Mix to benefit fatherless young men
On Saturday, May 15, music artists from all different genres will come together at the Austin Baptist Association on 3811 Harmon Ave. to fundraise for Hungry for God Home, which works to redirect the lives of at-risk and homeless young men.
“Today’s tough economic conditions make it difficult for the Hungry for God Home to meet needs without additional help,” said founder Pastor Larry Ball. Since 2003, Pastor Ball has personally housed over 300 young men.
“Making better choices for better results” Adam Neal, a.k.a. hip hop artist SaulPaul, was arrested at the age of 16 for counterfeiting, but has since turned his life around for the better. Now, he is successful businessman, filmmaker of his autobiographical movie Tower to Tower, speaker, and author.
Neal agreed to perform at the event because he is a believer of the cause. “The boys that come to Pastor Larry Ball represent a lack in the community of leaders and mentors,” he said.
Pastor Larry Ball’s vision for the young men is to live out lifetime goals. He hopes to “[improve] their chance of success by providing mentoring, a pathway for completing education, evaluations of positive personal goals, and follow-up on outcomes.”
Jack, one of the young men that currently lives in the home, has seen a difference in his life. “I have gotten away from a lot of negativity I had to deal with from on the streets.” Another recipient of the home, Christopher, has recently started feeling the positive effects of helping in the garden and is on the road to mending relationships with family members and making new friendships.
“Whenever you have a project of this magnitude, you can never have enough support,” said one of the masters of ceremonies for the evening, Donna Johnson. Johnson is a public speaker, blogger for Forbes, and future host of radio show on KAZI 88.7 FM as of June 2.
Sharing MC duties will be inspirational speaker and certified life coach, Evelina Solis. She believes if she can reach one person and show him/her that he/she is loved, then this world would be a happier place.
Recording artists Double Portion will share their mixture of contemporary sounds, hip hop, and R&B beats with powerful messages at the event. John Troy Jacobs, one of the pair of twins from DP, said, “this is what Double Portion is all about, reaching out to the community and being mentors. Young people are our foundation and we want to be an example for them”.
Also performing that evening will be country singer Dalton Travis Gray with his original songs. “A message mixed with a good time is what it is all about,” he said.
Volunteer Raymond Slade will join the mix with his “easy karaoke”, making participants sound good with the original voice in the background.
Tickets can be purchased and further details: http://musicmixforfatherlessyoungmen.eventbrite.com/
By Monica PenaPhoto credit: Pastor Larry Ball
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