Last year I had the pleasure to work with Pocket Communications and Communities in Schools (CIS) to seek out the epitomy of a Awesome Dad.  CIS assisted me in meeting two men who really deserved a wonderful award from Pocket Communications.  Because their committment and focus, these two men were each awarded a new cell phone with a year of service to better communicate with their daughters and family.  I would truly like to thank both CIS and Pocket Communications for making this Happen.  Below is the testimonial from one of our Fathers.  I will provide the story from our other Father later this month.  Just want to add that one of the Fathers is a Grandfather who stood up to make sure his Grandchildren had a positive male role model.

Please Read Martin's story....

My name is Eduardo Martin Torres, I am 45 years of age, and have legal custody of my daughter Christianity “Nina” Nicole-Faith.  I have been clean off of drugs since September 13, 2007.  I have been through drug rehabs, have a record with multiple felonies, but that has not deterred me from changing my life for the better. My father is from Puerto Rico and my mother from Mexico.  They came to this country to provide a better life for their children.  My Dad worked as a contractor for General Dynamis building submarines.  My mother was a teacher at a daycare.  She eventually cared for kids at our home. Lots and lots of children have been through the doors of our home.  EVERYONE knows Mrs. Torres back home.

           Upon being released from TDCJ on June 30, 2008 I have been involved in my daughter’s life.  Her mother began using drugs and drinking.  When she got home she became VERY abusive physically.  The last time she hit me the police explained that I was better served going through the courts for custody of Nina, to get her out of that atmosphere.  I believed that my felony record would hinder me.  As I prayed about it and spoke with my Pastor (Albert Lucio, LWFC), he gave me the advice that it was best for her…even if I lost her temporarily.  “Get back on your feet. Get a good job. You as her Father are responsible for her, so do the responsible thing.”  As much as I struggled with this, God said the same thing.  So I applied at the courts called CPS and prayed.  Well, this past fall I was granted FULL custody of Nina.  The Judge also surprised me because she allowed me to change her last name to Torres.

My journey really began some 24 years ago when I lost my first child. The hurt, anger, rage…all overwhelmed me.  Before this I was a casual user of alcohol and drugs. I dropped out of college during my finals of my senior year.  The drugs had just begun to take over. The disease progressed so much so that I became homeless for approximately 10 years.  The addiction of homelessness is very similar…lonely, misunderstood, anguish, full of anger.  I committed multiple offenses along the way serving two State Jail terms of 1 year each. I am surprise it wasn’t worse.  Multiple suicide attempts

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           I am now a member of Living Water Faith Church, Strong Foundation Ministries, Bexar County Detention Ministries and in July of last year graduated from Alpha & Omega Training School certified in HVAC. 

           Last year I was having MULTIPLE problems with my phone.  Nina’s Mom called me and explained what awesomedads was looking for and how much assistance they are willing to provide.  Gregg and I eventually spoke with each other and he wanted to provide me with a free phone and service for a full year.  After some consideration I agreed and am so thankful.  Being able to be contacted for employment, Nina’s daycare, Ministry work or just being able to chat with Mom and Dad.

As for Nina’s Mom, she is doing really well.. She completed in-patient drug treatment, after care and multiple parenting programs.  We are working on her visiting with Nina.  By the way we also have a 4 month old daughter, Alicia, who is beginning to visit with us.

           I now have such a desire to share my life with younger men.  To have them open up their eyes to the beauty of their children and their life.  Life is not easy.  But the PURE joy the life of a child can bring to you is unmatched.  There is nothing better than your child running into your arms…”Daddy, Daddy, Daddy…”

           “they ought to write that somewhere…oh yeah it is written down.”

and