DadTalk Blog
Fatherhood, Football, Faith and Fun
Along with over 500 fathers and children, my children and I recently had the privilege of attending the All Pro Dad’s Baltimore All Pro Dad Father and Kids Experience at M&T Bank Stadium. At the event, Super Bowl Champion Matt Stover spoke very personally about the importance of being a father. My kids enjoyed plenty of fun games and getting their faces painted by clowns who made them balloon animals. I was profoundly touched by the activities centered on practical fatherhood tips and techniques. Through a variety of different football drills, games, and “fatherhood stations,” I was excited to be able to connect with my children in a new way.
Matt Stover, former Baltimore Raven Placekicker along with Eugene Schneeberg, Director of the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the Department of Justice with his daughter Genesis and son Eugene .
One of the “fatherhood stations” focused on the importance of Dad’s telling their children that they love them and that they are proud of them. At another station we practiced handing the ball off to each other and scoring a touchdown. After the touchdown, we celebrated by doing a silly dance and giving each other big hugs like NFL players do when they score a touchdown. The facilitator at that station stressed the importance of having fun, being affectionate and hugging your children.
Education Department Roundtable highlights importance of fathers involvement in Education
Fathers, uncles, male mentors, grandfathers, brothers, and community leaders recently gathered at the Café at Chicago Vocational Career Academy in Chicago, IL to share what men can do to increase their involvement and support in the lives of their children—especially their education.
The Department of Education (ED) was honored to sponsor the event alongside other federal agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services as well as father serving organizations such as Black Star Project, Watch D.O.G.S., the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative and Real Men Charities.
Participants at the Roundtable, Café at Chicago Vocational Career Academy in Chicago, IL
Approximately 45 men attended from multiple ethnic and cultural backgrounds. A panel of fathers and experts shared their experiences and research that affirmed the positive role of fathers in the lives of their children. Panelist Dexter Chaney, one of ED's Teaching Ambassador Fellows and a Chicago assistant principal, explained a principal's perspective on parental involvement. In his remarks, he linked parental involvement to ED's efforts to motivate parents to be partners in their children's learning. Other panelist included
Preventing Youth Violence BEFORE it Starts: Youth, Families, and Faith-Based Partners
Addressing fatherhood can play a key role in the addressing youth violence in our communities. This reality was recently front and center at a session of a two day working session of cities participating in the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention.
Howard Spivak, MD, Director Division of Violence Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Joseph Jones, Jr., President, Center for Urban Families, Pastor Keith Norman, First Baptist Church Broad, Memphis, TN, Wendy Wheeler, President, Innovation Center for Community and Youth Development
In response to this crisis of Youth Violence we are facing, President Obama directed the Departments of Justice and Education to partner with other federal agencies to launch the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention. This is a six city network dedicated to stopping youth violence in our nation’s cities. The six participating cities— Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Memphis, Salinas, CA and San Jose, CA –have made significant progress toward implementing comprehensive youth violence prevention strategies.
A Partnership for Positive Re-entry
In addressing the pressing issues facing our families and children, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) has taken the President’s call for flexibility and collaboration to heart. Using $6 million of funding for responsible fatherhood programming, ACF has partnered with the Housing and Urban Development Agency (HUD) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct four pilot/demonstration projects targeting the re-entry population.
The goal of this collaborative effort: to change the outcomes of individuals coming out of our correctional institutions moving them toward self-sufficiency and greater family and community integration.
Categories
In response to President Obama’s call for a national conversation on responsible fatherhood and healthy families, learn how you can join the President's Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative.
Información en Español
En respuesta al llamado del presidente Obama para una conversación nacional sobre la paternidad responsable y las familias saludables, aprender cómo usted puede unirse a la Iniciativa Presidencial de Padres y Mentores.
