Unlikely Brothers
Encyclopedia
Unlikely Brothers: Our Story of Adventure, Loss and Redemption is co-authored by human rights activist and Co-Founder of the Enough Project
, John Prendergast
and his "Little Brother", Michael Mattocks.
, at twenty years old decided to become a Big Brother
to Michael Mattocks, a seven-year-old living in a crime-ridden neighborhood in Washington, DC. The book, co-authored by both, describes their different perspectives on their continuing relationship, shared over a period of more than 27 years.
Prendergast, more often known throughout the book as JP, "adopts" Michael and his younger brother David in a Big Brothers program while attending college for one semester at Georgetown in order to fill the void within him he felt was left vacant by his father's supposed indifference towards his eldest son. This lack of communication between mentor and child becomes the crux of most of the issues in the book, as JP ignores his role in Michael's life, and Michael searches for other role models to fill his own dysfunctional family life, mainly in the gang and cocaine culture.
The book begins when JP is in his early 20s, Michael is 8 and his younger brother David is 6. JP is visiting a friend volunteering in a homeless shelter where Michael, his mother, and his four other siblings (another brother, Tyrell, to be born soon in a shelter) are staying until they get off the wait list for subsidized housing. JP offers to take the two boys out to McDonalds and to teach them how to read. Michael recalls being awed at the interest.
Enough Project
Enough is a project of the Center for American Progress , based in Washington, D.C., created to end genocide and crimes against humanity. Its Co-Founders are John Prendergast and Gayle Smith; its Executive Director is John C. Bradshaw, J.D....
, John Prendergast
John Prendergast
John Prendergast is an American human rights activist, author, and former Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council. He is the co-founder of the Enough Project, a non profit human rights organization affiliated with the Center for American Progress...
and his "Little Brother", Michael Mattocks.
Summary
John PrendergastJohn Prendergast
John Prendergast is an American human rights activist, author, and former Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council. He is the co-founder of the Enough Project, a non profit human rights organization affiliated with the Center for American Progress...
, at twenty years old decided to become a Big Brother
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a 501 non-profit organization whose mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that try to have a measurable impact on youth....
to Michael Mattocks, a seven-year-old living in a crime-ridden neighborhood in Washington, DC. The book, co-authored by both, describes their different perspectives on their continuing relationship, shared over a period of more than 27 years.
Prendergast, more often known throughout the book as JP, "adopts" Michael and his younger brother David in a Big Brothers program while attending college for one semester at Georgetown in order to fill the void within him he felt was left vacant by his father's supposed indifference towards his eldest son. This lack of communication between mentor and child becomes the crux of most of the issues in the book, as JP ignores his role in Michael's life, and Michael searches for other role models to fill his own dysfunctional family life, mainly in the gang and cocaine culture.
The book begins when JP is in his early 20s, Michael is 8 and his younger brother David is 6. JP is visiting a friend volunteering in a homeless shelter where Michael, his mother, and his four other siblings (another brother, Tyrell, to be born soon in a shelter) are staying until they get off the wait list for subsidized housing. JP offers to take the two boys out to McDonalds and to teach them how to read. Michael recalls being awed at the interest.
External links
- The Enough Project's description of the book, including trailer
- Read It Forward — John Prendergast On Mentoring Boys In Unlikely Brothers
- Redemption through Brotherhood, Washington Post
- Old Bonds of Brotherhood Endure for Rights Activist Prendergast, The Philadelphia Inquirer
- "'Unlikely Brothers Chronicles Forging of a Unique Bond for 2 Men", PBS NEWSHOUR