By Clifford L. Williams,
Globe City Editor

Oakland’s Men of Valor Academy, which promotes the spiritual, physical, emotional and mental growth of formerly incarcerated men, is continuing its mission to help ex-offenders receive the support they need to reintegrate successfully back into society.
    The East Oakland-based program is sponsored by Acts Full Gospel Church under the leadership of Bishop Bob Jackson. The program is home to 30 men who credit the program with giving them a new sense of hope and self-confidence.
    “The objective of our program takes a holistic approach,” said Executive Director Doug Butler, “where you deal with the mind, body and spirit in order to do that we’re talking about — academics and education, as well as practical application of vocational skills.”

    The program is divided into three components. Phase one covers relapse prevention, spirituality, individual counseling, anger management, finances and physical exercise.
    Phase two focuses on educational enhancement, preparing men to successfully pass GED requirements and providing advanced learning for those with a high school diploma. Participants also receive computer literacy training.
    Phase three consists of vocational training, in which the men learn a combination of classroom and practical skills needed to succeed in the construction trade, including basic carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and drywalling.
    Currently, several men in the program are applying the skills they’ve learned to build, from the ground up, a new restaurant in East Oakland. Under the supervision of Bruce Cox, co-founder of Men of Valor, the men are using hands-on experience to develop their skills into a career.
  For more information on the Men of Valor Academy, call Butler at (510) 567-1308 or visit the academy at 6118 International Blvd. in Oakland.

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