The White House initiative Champions of Change seeks to honor a number of Americans who have stood out in particular areas of emphasis in order to solicit their ideas in order to maximize the potential for change in our society at the behest of the federal government and the community.
Photo Caption: Attorney General Eric Holder addresses the Fatherhood Champions of Change and attendees at the White House event. The Attorney General shared that the most important job he has had is being a dad to his three children.
Last week, the White House focused on fatherhood in support of President Obama’s Fatherhood & Mentoring Initiative and in commemoration of Father’s Day. Each of the ten Champions of Change honorees contributed incredible work in the fields of fatherhood and low-income men and boys.
The event had an air of enthusiasm, as it was well-attended by many key stakeholders within the cause of advancing fatherhood and mentorship among children without fathers. In addition to the Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, Joshua DuBois, Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan made appearances to share a few thoughts in honoring the Champions. Check out the event here.
Photo Caption: The 2012 Fatherhood Champions of Change (left to right, top to bottom): Roland C. Warren, Joseph T. Jones, J. Michael Hall, Dr. Michelle Mickle Foster, John Sowers, Carey Casey, R. Stacey Bouchet, Bob Johnson, Jerry Tello, & Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner
Witnessing the excitement and passion for the fatherhood cause incites moments of reflection. Inspiring our youth by creating a lifelong bond from a father to a child is of paramount importance for the enhanced well-being of our children, and it is a cause that reaches out to us all—as each and every one of us has the potential to have a relationship with our fathers.
But, equally important, is the role we can play as mentors for those children who, due to circumstances beyond their control, do not have fathers in their lives. These children must be reminded that the absence of their fathers is to no fault of their own, and they must know that they are not forgotten.
Father’s Day is a celebration for everyone—be they fathers, mentors, potential mentors, and perhaps most importantly, the children whom are affected by the presence and absence of fatherhood and mentorship. In the words of the Attorney General: “of all the titles I’ve held in my life – lawyer, prosecutor, judge, U.S. Attorney, and, now, Attorney General – the one I’m most proud of is ‘father.’ As fathers, we have an opportunity today, as we do every day, to act responsibly in the lives of our own children. And by setting a good example, each of us can have a significant impact on the future of our nation, in profound and positive ways.”
Let us continue, and inspire others to begin, that work today.
Jarred Reiling serves as a Presidential Management Fellow within the U.S. Department of Justice Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
Cross-posed from ACF’s The Family Room Blog
It’s hard to be a parent. That’s why Father’s Day is so important. It gives us an opportunity to thank dads who are active in their children’s lives—who accept the challenges of raising a family and reap the benefits of their children growing up in a loving environment.
Today, one out of every three children in America is living without a father in the home--about 24 million kids in this country.
Studies have shown that children without a father in the home are two to three times more likely than children with active, involved fathers to live in poverty, use drugs and engage in criminal behavior. These children are also more likely to become victims of child abuse, and experience emotional, health and education problems.
The Administration for Children and Families is working with its programs across the agency to help low-income fathers meet their commitments to their children.
Our Office of Child Support Enforcement helps create stable and healthy environments for children and parents by collaborating with federal, state, tribal and local governments to run the nation’s child support program. OCSE has launched a Family-Centered initiative to encourage child support programs around the county to set accurate support orders based upon a noncustodial parent’s ability to pay them and to link parents to job services, financial education, and co-parenting services. By removing barriers and encouraging positive parental involvement, more children will be able to count on emotional and financial support from both parents. Check out the OCSE website for more information about this initiative: http://transition.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocsp
In the Office of Family Assistance, our Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood initiative has awarded 120 grants to organizations, including nonprofits that work to strengthen relationships and marriage between individuals, couples and fathers and their children. The healthy marriage grants provide services, which include counseling, financial management and conflict resolution classes. The fatherhood component promotes the economic stability of fathers through employment skills and subsidized employment, responsible parenting classes, and promoting healthy marriage.
In the Administration for Native Americans, its Strengthening Families Initiative funds culturally relevant strategies to strengthen families and promote family preservation, foster child well-being, responsible parenting and healthy relationship skills. Responsible Fatherhood projects that provide education and activities to fathers to help them overcome barriers to positive involvement in their children’s lives are also supported in this program.
And finally, the Office of Community Services has collaborated with the child support office to implement the Building Assets for Fathers and Families Initiative. This program extends the benefits of financial education, matched savings accounts called Individual Development Accounts, to parents with young children. The child support office awarded seven three-year BAFF demonstration grants that fund partnerships between child support enforcement agencies, Assets for Independence grantees, and fatherhood organizations to identify effective strategies for increasing the financial stability of children and their parents.
While ACF works hard to lift families out of poverty and into a stable and successful environment, we are also finding ways to sustain that stability and success by helping men truly become fathers in the process.
Check out the latest initiative to increase responsible Fatherhood across America.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Father’s Day event is back! Originally inspired by a New York City Housing Authority event, last year over 200 Public Housing Agencies (PHA) participated in the inaugural celebration for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Across the country, thousands of fathers, children, mothers and friends gathered for fun activities while learning about supportive services in their communities. You can watch this video that provides some of the highlights from last year and invites everyone to participate this upcoming Father’s Day.
This year, the Father’s Day celebration is back and we are bringing more “friends” to participate in the fun. HUD has reached out to other nonprofits, federal agencies and the private industry in order to provide PHAs with a variety of resources for their Father’s Day events. HUD already has commitments from the National Fatherhood Initiative, the National Football League Players Association, and Boys and Girls Clubs of America among others. As a result of these partners joining in this effort, Father’s Day offers PHAs the chance to improve the lives of residents through fostering stronger family connections while also giving PHAs the opportunity to form new partnerships with local organizations offering supportive services. To capture this expanded vision HUD is calling this initiative Reconnecting Families and Dads.
To make the most of these connections, HUD is filming “Reconnecting Conversations” with representatives from our partner organizations on how they can support local PHAs in their Father’s Day events. Our first segment was with Kevin McCartney of Boys and Girls Cubs; this conversation was exciting, informative and under fifteen minutes.
HUD looks forward to helping PHAS and families make many new connections through Father’s Day 2012. To learn more, visit www.hud.gov/fathersday2012 and check out the Webcast announcing the effort underway to support Reconnecting Families and Dads.
Please contact us with any question, comments or ideas at PIH_Fathers_Day_2012@HUD.gov.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Related Posts
- Celebrating Fatherhood in Public Housing Authorities
- What they’re saying about HUD’s Fathers Day 2011: Part 1
- What they’re saying about HUD’s Fathers Day 2011: Part 2
Ron Ashford is Director for Public Housing Supportive Services within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
What they’re saying about HUD’s Fathers Day 2011: Part 2
Recently, the DadTalk blog recognized how the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is celebrating fatherhood with their Fathers Day 2011 events held at local public housing authorities. Here are some thoughts, quotes and pictures from people who attended the events. See even more comments and thoughts from Part 1 of this post.
Dallas, TX
The kids had a great time as they enjoyed bounce houses, face painting, and a number of other activities. I also enjoyed the fact that Dallas Housing Authority brought in a picture booth for fathers and their children to take fun pictures together. Two former NFL players, Scott Turner (Washington Redskins) and Ryan Neufeld (Buffalo Bills) representing the NFL Players’ Association gave inspirational speeches that stressed the importance of the active involvement of fathers in the lives of their children.
- Regenia Hawkins, Fort Worth Public Housing Field Office Director
FWHA employee helps winner of the game select a prize
Washington, DC
We sent a message to fathers that DC Housing Authority is seriously committed to providing support, services and interventions that help them overcome obstacles and have an opportunity to establish or restore a relationship with his children. I was heartened to see that fathers participating in the event were serious and active participants throughout the day, and definitely shatters the stereotype. In fact, seminars lasted longer than scheduled because fathers asked so many questions and were very engaged.
-Adrianne Todman Executive Director District, Columbia Housing Authority
Atlanta, GA
Each child seemed to be beaming at the opportunity to proclaim his or hers as the best dad in the world. One young man left us all speechless. He just turned 6 years old and just finished kindergarten. He read from a full typed page about how great his father is and how they have special time together every day when his dad takes him to school. He was followed by a young middle school girl. But right in the middle of her remarks, the 6 year old previous speaker got up and ran to his father from behind the podium proclaiming, "My Daddy is the best Daddy, My Daddy is the best Daddy!" Both fathers were bursting with pride of course! Imagine that! Kids at a Public Housing Event, fighting over who has the best DAD!
- Ed Jennings, Jr. Atlanta Regional Administrator
I was blessed to have my son, Jered, attend the event and witness the variety of activities for children and fathers ranging from face painting, arts and crafts to basketball, kick ball, dancing and a live horseback riding demonstration by the Buffalo Soldiers Greater Atlanta Chapter. Additionally, a resource room with representatives from Gate City Nursery, Atlanta Public Schools, Atlanta Workforce Development Agency, Center for Working Families, Atlanta Community Food Bank, West End Medical Center, Habitat for Humanity, Atlanta Legal Aid, Fulton County DFACs, and the United Way was available to connect fathers to services and resources which eliminate barriers to upward mobility and family success. All fathers in attendance were deeply appreciative to be able to be in the company of and introduce their children to some of the prominent guest speakers. As I addressed the attendees, I felt a deep sense of pride in not only being a father but also being a part of HUD’s wonderful mission of creating strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality, affordable homes for all. Regardless of obstacles faced in the past, fathers and their children learned that patience and hope are the keys that will open the doors to the continued productive presence vital to their most important legacy – their children.
- Jerryl Bennett, Director Atlanta Regional Office
FWHA Youth in the audience are selected to spell out the word FATHER.
What they’re saying about HUD’s Fathers Day 2011: Part 1
Recently, the DadTalk blog recognized how the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is celebrating fatherhood with their Fathers Day 2011 events held at local public housing authorities.
Here are some thoughts, quotes and pictures from people who attended the events.
Dayton, OH
One of the most impactful moments of the Father’s Day Summer Celebration was when a 7th grade boy read the poem “Slow Down Daddy”. The words of the poem impacted the crowd and set the stage for the speakers from area agencies who stressed the importance of the father taking an active role in the lives of his children and non-violent conflict resolution. Our self-sufficiency department also provided agencies that had information for not only the fathers who attended the event but also the mothers and children who were present. This event was a wonderful opportunity for the community to bond in the common goal of promoting fatherhood and a great chance to encourage strong parenting.
- Gregory D. Johnson CEO, Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority
Fort Worth, TX
As I walked around, I noticed something quite encouraging. I saw men of all ages attending to the needs of their children. I saw men feeding babies, carrying diaper bags, pushing strollers, nurturing and playing games with their kids. I also saw men seriously engaged in conversation with the community service providers asking questions and obtaining information. I even recall seeing a few men jump in and help out when needed with some of the heavy equipment. Father’s Day 2011 was a successful event and it accomplished much for the families in our community. I was proud to be a part of it. You can see pictures of the event thanks to Wayne Pollard, Director of the Tarrant County Housing Assistance Office.
- Barbara Holston President and CEO, Fort Worth Housing Authority
What I noted most was the huge amount of time and effort the housing authority gave to make the day special for the families. The staff was very interactive and warm toward the families. There was community support, sponsorship, resource materials and great food and activities. My work does not often offer opportunities to directly interact with the families served by HUD programs. I witnessed families having an awesome time, and observed proud fathers with their children.
- Charles Eldridge, HUD Senior Public Housing Revitalization Specialist
Charles Eldridge and Fort Worth CEO Barbara Holston
In honor of Father’s Day, the White House recognized 15 Champions of Change who are standing in the gap for our kids, and serving their families, their communities and our nation. Along with Michael Strautmanis from the Office of Public Engagement, Joshua DuBois facilitated a discussion with these fathers and leaders as everyone shared our stories about what fatherhood meant to them and how each person had contributed to strengthening fatherhood in their own lives and in their communities.
Below are links to some of the stories the Champions of Change shared in the discussion. Some stories of those of redemption. Others are about the supportive role that mothers, grandparents and mentors play when fathers aren’t around. More than one is about a father who initially didn’t fully understand his responsibilities, but came to recognize the sacredness of being a dad.
Thabiti Boone - Raising Awareness on the Importance of Fatherhood
Steve Crawford - Connecting Fathers with Their Schools
Carlos Duran - Responsible Fatherhood for Future Generations
George Gordon - All Because of My Son
Thomas Green III - Fatherhood and the Road to Recovery
Jonathan Mayo - Empowering Urban Young Adults
Dr. Roderick Mitchell - Engaging Fathers to Stop Domestic Violence
Alfred Plummer - Equipping Men to Become Better Fathers
Mary Polk - The Impact of Invisible Fathers
Eric Schurz - Overcoming Life Struggles with Fatherhood in the Tribal Community
In addition to the stories below, we heard from Matt Baker about how faith communities can strengthen values that have helped him be a father in the midst of a career in business, George P. McAndrews talked about his role as a grandfather not only to his biological children but also to foster children in his children’s homes , and Adam Tenner talked about how important it is for him and his partner to be a strong father for their child.
In the future, we will highlight blog posts from Daniel Jenkins who is a Top Dog Dad with the Watch DOGS program and Christopher Cady, recipient for the 2011 Military Fatherhood Award from the National Fatherhood Initiative.
Bringing your attention to these stories is just one more way their importance of fathers extends beyond Fathers Day in the Year of Strong Fathers, Strong Families.
Ben O'Dell serves as Associate Director at the HHS Partnerships Center promoting the importance of fatherhood.
Earlier this year, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Sims initiated something historic: a call to all Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to recognize fathers through events held around Father’s Day. Dubbed “Father’s Day 2011”, HUD modeled this effort on a program that the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) launched last summer. That model event had two purposes: to strengthen the bonds between fathers and their children, and to make education, health care, and employment resources available to the fathers leading to economic self-sufficiency.
HUD helped organize over 200 Father’s Day events at Public Housing Authorities around the nation during the weekend of June 18. Some events featured players from the NFL and the NBA celebrated fatherhood. Smaller communities held Bar-B-Qs and poster contests, while more had elaborate programs such as seminars and guest speakers were organized by larger communities.
Federal partners, including the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Agriculture, and the Departments of Education and Justice, were on hand to offer information and services including employment resources and health consultation.
“Children with involved fathers grow up happier, healthier and better prepared to succeed in life,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, himself a father of two. “Yet every night, one-out-of -three American children goes to bed in a home without a father present. These events will bring fathers and their children together and connect the dads to the social and economic resources they need to be the best parents they can be.”
One of the events was held in our Nation’s capital. The District of Columbia kicked off their weekend by hosting a “Call to Fathers Breakfast”, and then held a day-long program including community leaders and guest speakers. NFL football players Ken Harvey, Olandis Gary and two time World Heavyweight champion and former undisputed heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe and daughter joined the celebration.
HUD is looking forward to a year focused on supporting fathers, mothers, and families in public housing. Father’s Day 2011 was just the beginning!
Photo: Ken Harvey, retired Washington Redskins linebacker; Frank Lancaster, DCHA Resident Commissioner; Marvin Turner, Director of the HUD DC Field Office; Adrianne Todman, Executive Director, DC Housing Authority; Deborah A. Hernandez, General Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Public and Indian Housing, HUD; Judge Arthur L. Bennett, Sr., National Executive Director , National African American Drug Policy Coalition; Ron Ashford.
Ron Ashford is the Director of Community & Supportive Services in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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