Rep. Fattah's path from one House to another

In 1982, when he was 25, Chaka Fattah became the youngest person to join the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

But his life took a momentous turn before that, at age 13.

That was when his parents decided to ditch their given Colonial names in favor of something more identifiable with their African heritage.

So, Arthur Davenport became Chaka Fattah, named for a legendary Zulu warrior. His father changed his name from David Davenport to David Fattah; his mother went from Frankie Brown to Falaka Fattah.

Now a U.S. representative, Chaka Fattah has remained dedicated to the House of Umoja, and he's looking forward to this weekend's festivities.

"It's a celebration of a 40-year dedication that my family and parents have had," Fattah said in a phone interview this week. "From providing a home and being active at the community level to deal with problems that young males face, while also dealing with the violence in school and the neighborhoods."

'A tremendous legacy'

Fattah said the House of Umoja has transformed the lives of thousands of young men who have passed through its walls.

"I run across young men who came through the program and have done remarkably well, changing around their lives and circumstances," Fattah said. "The program has been one of the stars in the city and country.

"It really is led from the heart, and it is a tremendous legacy for the Fattah family."

Fattah said the House of Umoja always employed a "dual competency" by providing housing and direction for young men having trouble finding their way.

"Over the life of the program, there have literally been thousands of young men who were given roofs over their heads," Fattah said.

He recalled that some of the wayward youths often shared food and clothing with him and his five brothers, David, Walter, Robin, Kenneth and Stefan.

"When it was gang warfare, the House of Umoja was there, and today it's part of the antiviolence activity in West Philly," Fattah said.

"Their expertise is called on from Portland to Los Angeles to the Indian reservations. They even had people over from Ireland who were involved in the Catholic/Protestant conflict there."

Fattah would like to see his parents' dream of a fully operational "Boys Town" - a section of housing for wayward youths that surrounds the group's headquarters on 56th and Master streets - come to fruition. Still, Fattah can only be so involved from his perch in Congress.

"I have over the years, all these years, been active and involved," Fattah said. "There are some things I can do, and as a state rep, there's some things I can't do because it's my family involved," he said.'

"Obviously, there are some other efforts going on where I can be quite helpful, but there are certain restrictions on what I can do as far as providing funding."

Buildings need repair

Fattah said the help is most needed in rehabilitating the House of Umoja's more than 12 buildings.

"It's a community organization that began without substantial support, and over the years has sought to revitalize some of the buildings, which are in a constant state of repair, and you need funding," Fattah said. "When you house and support thousands of young boys, it can be challenging. There's a capital campaign going on right now to revitalize the block."

Fattah honors what his parents have built.

"As people applaud and celebrate this commitment of 40 years, it's important and appropriate to think about what each of us can do individually to make their own contribution in terms of helping people and guiding youths in the right direction," the congressman said. "It means a lot to the young people we come in contact with.

"It really is just a man and a woman that decided they have a responsibility to all children, but a broad responsibility for the children of Philadelphia."