On March 26th, 2013 we once again engaged and mobilized men to take a stand against domestic violence with our annual Legacy of Men awards dinner. The event was a huge hit!

Watch the video here.

This year’s Legacy of Men honoree was Scott Murray.

Although the domestic violence prevention movement is a field dominated by women, there are men who want to lead by example by speaking out against the issue, which profoundly affects the safety of many families right here in Tarrant County. Every year SafeHaven of Tarrant County shines some light on men who make efforts to speak out against domestic violence with its annual Legacy of Men Award. We acknowledge and support the trend of male advocates. SafeHaven seeks to empower men, giving those who were socialized to stay quiet or silent if they aren’t aggressive or violent.

Although the majority of abuse is perpetrated by men, most men aren’t abusive. For too long, domestic violence has been viewed as an empowerment movement just for women. But the majority of men condemn the violence and need ways to stand up and say so. The Legacy of Men award offers just that; creating a culture of intolerance and raising awareness simultaneously.

The keynote speaker for the March 26th, 2013 Legacy of Men awards was Grant Teaff. His outstanding career as a college coach has placed him in eight Halls of Fame, including the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, and the College Football Hall of Fame. He won 170 football games, two Southwest Conference Championships, coached in 20 post-season bowls and all-star games. He was Coach of the Year six times in the Southwest Conference, and received National Coach of the Year Awards from the American Football Coaches Association and the Football Writers Association. In 2006, Teaff was honored with the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award, one of the highest honors a coach can receive from the AFCA.

 

SafeHaven of Tarrant County honored former mayor of Fort Worth, Mike Moncrief at the fourth Legacy of Men Breakfast in 2012.

Mike Moncrief said he believes that the future of any community depends on its ability to ensure the health and well-being of the next generation. Mike’s expressed desire to protect women and children fallen victim to domestic violence has a history dating back decades to his tenure as County Judge. His record says volumes about his commitment to “Speak Out” against domestic violence and to leave a Legacy.

Previous honorees  include;

• Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboy and SCORE Foundation founder
• Mike Stone, Chairman of Fort Worth Cats Baseball Club and devoted supporter of ending violence against women and children since the late 1970s
• David Russell, VP of External Affairs at Verizon.

Tony Porter, Co-Founder of “A Call to Men” and the visionary behind the groundbreaking NFL Dads Dedicated to Daughters project, was the keynote speaker. Porter challenged the men of Tarrant County to reassess what it means to be a real man in today’s society. He is also the author of “Well Meaning Men…Breaking Out of the Man Box-Ending Violence Against Women”. Tony recently encouraged almost 80 NFL players to SPEAK OUT about the role men play in preventing violence against women. ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?

Emmy Award-winning Sports Director and current host of FYI Fort Worth Scott Murray emceed the event, which raised thousands of dollars.

Click here to for a quick view into what was a successful, thought-provoking and fun event.

For more information about future events, contact Valerie Salter at 817-546-6040 ext. 106 or vsalter@safehaventc.org or view our printable information packet.

 

 

For photos of our 2011 event, click here.

About Legacy of Men

In February of 2009, SafeHaven of Tarrant County held its inagural Legacy of Men Breakfast to engage and mobilize men to take a proactive role in ending domestic violence. SHTC honored Jason Witten with the organization’s first Legacy of Men Award for his work in speaking out about domestic violence and supporting domestic violence prevention programs.  A tight end for the Dallas Cowboys, Jason started the SCORE Foundation which currently funds male mentoring programs in several domestic violence shelters across Texas, including SafeHaven. Funds raised at the breakfast support our work with young men to break the cycle before it begins. Don McPherson, nationally acclaimed expert in ending men’s violence against women, was the keynote speaker.

In 2010, Mack Brown, head coach of the championship Texas Longhorns, was our featured speaker.  He shared his perspective on how champions are bred on and off the playing field.  Brown is a man who lives by the motto that “Attitude is Everything” in turning negatives in life into positives. For video of Mack Brown’s speech, click here. Longtime SafeHaven supporter Mike Stone was the recipient of the 2010 Legacy of Men Award.

The 2011 event featured a panel discussion with former Dallas Cowboy Bob Lilly, TCU Head Football Coach Gary Patterson and Aledo High School Football Coach Tim Buchanan. David Russell, Vice President of External Affairs for Verizon Communications, received the Legacy of Men Award.