Welcome to The Pixel Project’s “30 For 30″ Father’s Day Campaign 2015! In honour of Father’s Day, we created this campaign:
- To acknowledge the vital role Dads play in families, cultures and communities worldwide.
- To showcase good men from different walks of life who are fabulous positive non-violent male role models.
Through this campaign, we will be publishing a short interview with a different Dad on each day of the month of June.
This campaign is also part of a programme of initiatives held throughout 2015 in support of the Celebrity Male Role Model Pixel Reveal campaign that is in benefit of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and The Pixel Project. Donate at just US$1 per pixel to reveal the mystery Celebrity Male Role Models and help raise US$1 million for the cause while raising awareness about the important role men and boys play in ending violence against women in their communities worldwide. Donations begin at just US$10 and you can donate via the Pixel Reveal website here or the Pixel Reveal Razoo donation page here.
Our eighth “30 For 30″ 2015 Dad is Ray Reyes from the USA.
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The Dad Bio
I am a member of the United States Air Force as a Client Systems Technician/Project Manager. I am currently stationed in Okinawa, Japan with my 2 kids, Trysten and Sophia, and my wife Christie. My oldest daughter, Ella, is a freshman in Arizona State University as a Business major and is part of their competitive Cheerleading squad. I love to travel and see the world and also DJ when time permits. It’s been a passion of mine for 18 years now. Most importantly, I get to share these memorable moments and experiences with my family which will last a lifetime.
1. What is the best thing about being a dad?
The best thing about being a dad is knowing what it means to love something or someone more than yourself. The feeling I had when I saw my children for the first time is something I could never replicate with anyone. Being a father has humbled me throughout the years. They make you want to be a better man because as a father, you want them to have a role model and a mentor who will guide them as they grow up. I want them to be able to say that “my dad was always there for us”.
2. A dad is usually the first male role model in a person’s life and fathers do have a significant impact on their sons’ attitude towards women and girls. How has your father influenced the way you see and treat women and girls?
I have never really had that single positive influence growing up. My father was always gone due to his job so he was never around. I guess I could say that the biggest role model to me is not just one person but a combination of people I’ve looked up to including my peers, grandfather, uncles and cousins. They’ve taught me – not through words but through their actions – about how they treat women.
3. Communities and activists worldwide are starting to recognise that violence against women is not a “women’s issue” but a human rights issue and that men play a role in stopping the violence. How do you think fathers and other male role models can help get young men and boys to take an interest in and step up to help prevent and stop violence against women?
Young men and boys usually emulate their role models. If these male role models set a good example on how to treat women with respect, it will most likely prevent violence. We can never completely stop the violence but if fathers and role models get involved in our children’s development and awareness during their early years, we can get them to take interest in helping to stop violence against women.