VILLAGE OF FORD HEIGHTS HOST DOUBLE DUTCH TOURNAMENT
VILLAGE OF FORD HEIGHTS HOST DOUBLE DUTCH TOURNAMENT
By Christopher Shuttlesworth
Since 2013, the Village of Ford Heights has hosted a Double Dutch Tournament geared towards ending generational illnesses, restoring generational bonding and promoting positive community activities.
She-Ta Coulter, assistant for Mayor Annie R. Coulter of the Village of Ford Heights, explained that each participating Double Dutch group is
required to show three generations including a grandmother, mother and a child.
“We try to get the kids involved,” she said. “Their jobs are to go to their elders and parents to form their team. But in certain families, the grandmother or mother may have passed so we have volunteers available to fill the gap. So, as a community building program, the response has
been very encouraging.”
Coutler said she strongly believes there is nothing more important than family coming together to communicate and resolve generational situations.
“I feel that if our people learn to appreciate the family and build and cherish it, then we will change the dynamic of our situations,” she said.
“For example, if there’s a family struggling with a hereditary illness like diabetes and we are able to get three generations together and mentor them, then it’s more likely that the teaching will be more effective.”
In addition to the tournament, there will be a cash prize of $1000.00, a hot dog eating contest and a “movies in the Park style” Karaoke sing off
including various music genres like gospel, RB, country and rock.
Coutler said that the Double Dutch cash prize winners must pick up their reward at a local Ford Heights church.
“As an Assistant Pastor, I believe God is important and I believe if we put him in it then we will succeed,” Coutler said. “If we take him out, then we’re in trouble. So, in everything we do and in every city we go to, we encourage local church bodies to participate.”
Coutler highlighted that the current mayoral administration decided to create Ford Heights 2.0 to combat and dissolve the negative stigma surrounding the Ford Heights community and bring forth a better version of it.
“We’re trying to subconsciously and consciously show the people of this town that there is a better way and present a better version of Ford Heights to outsiders as well,” she said. “We are changing.” For more information, you can visit http:// www.doubledutchmovement.com/.
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