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Group led by Flint ex-cons gets office space, readies 3Rs for next step
Dominic Adams | dadams5@mlive.com By Dominic Adams | dadams5@mlive.com
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on November 28, 2013 at 6:30 AM, updated November 28, 2013 at 6:40 AM
FLINT, MI – Leon El-alamin sits back in a chair inside his new office and reads a text message.
It’s from a man in prison who saw a media report about his organization, “3Rs,” and how they’re working to refine, reform and rebuild the social identity of Flint and the urban community.
“We giving people hope,” El-alamin said. “There’s definitely more options outside the prison life.”
Now, the group has an office that has a classroom and an area they hope to turn into a computer lab. The hope is that it catapults 3Rs into its next phase of “self-sufficiency,” where they educate, empower and provide for members of their community.
The donated office space is at 4400 S. Saginaw St., Suite 1470. Building owner Dr. Jawad Shah is providing the office.
“I just see this as being a pilot of something really good for the betterment of the community,” said El-alamin, one of the group’s founders. “I definitely see it like a hub – a lot of help for programs of the community.”
El-alamin spent more than seven years in prison after he was sentenced to 10 to 20 years for possession with intent to sell between 50 and 224 grams of crack cocaine and for felony firearm.
Previously known as Leon Dewayne Wilson, the Flint resident met Timothy Abul-Matin in prison. Abul-Matin previously went by the name Timothy Miller and served nine years in prison for armed robbery and felony firearm.
The two were brought together by their belief in Islam. A friendship was formed during their four years in prison together.
A nonprofit organization, Abdul-Matin said they hope to work with people of all faiths and from all different walks of life.
In fact, that mix is necessary to ignite change, he said.
“That’s what’s wrong with society today, is they can’t put their differences aside,” he said.
Flint resident Roy Fields also is a founding member and volunteers with the group after he spent nearly five years in prison on a felony drug conviction.
“That’s what we’re about – unity,” Fields said. “Three Rs is a spark of a new era of thinking methods. A new way of doing things. A new approach.”
Part of that new approach aims to get a small group of individuals trained in building and trades. As a short term goal, the 3Rs would like to show the community it can train and support employable people who can be productive members of society.
“Felony or not, you can still work if you have those skills,” Fields said.
The office space will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday.
By the end of the year, 3Rs plans to have math tutoring and other classes taking place at the location.
“It’s about changing the self-image of inner city youth and sparking a mindset in the community that they have to wake up and fend for themselves,” El-alamin said.
Call 732-8336, extension 173, for more information.
Dominic Adams is a reporter for The Flint Journal. Contact him at dadams5@mlive.com or 810-241-8803. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+. |
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