The DadTalk blog features insights from dads and Responsible Fatherhood practitioners from around the country. Its goal is to start conversations about important issues surrounding fatherhood and programs for fathers today.
The month of September is now recognized across the nation as Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. As we continue our efforts to combat the continuing crisis of childhood obesity in the United States, it is important to recognize that we have made…
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…
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.
…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…
Recently, I had a chance to sit down with seven time NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade, to talk about how he is, in his own words, a “father First.” Through the event, Dwyane had an opportunity to share why fatherhood is so important to him. His remarks were made to a room of individuals in Orlando who exemplify the principles outlined by President Obama in his Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative and highlighted in this event by Dwyane Wade: that fatherhood is and has to be a priority for everyone in our communities. From Bryan Nelson with the Boot Camp for New…
Inspired by President Obama’s Fatherhood & Mentoring Initiative, seven-time NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade hosted a Responsible Fatherhood Roundtable discussion and recognition ceremony with a group of individuals who exemplify the goals of the President’s initiative. While I was encouraged by Dwayne’s remarks, I was also impacted by the local individuals who joined us at this meeting that exemplify and promote responsible fatherhood.
Photo, Front Row from Left to Right: Sean Forehand (…
In support of President Obama’s Fatherhood & Mentoring Initiative, Oscar Winner Lou Gossett, Jr. and Deputy Assistant to the President Michael Strautmanis led a Responsible Fatherhood Roundtable discussion and recognition ceremony. At the event, both spent time recognizing individuals who are working to promote responsible fatherhood in Los Angeles. These people were surrounded by young people involved in sports games and leadership activities from Challengers Boys and Girls Club who hosted the discussion.
Through the discussion, all of us had the chance to learn about, lift up,…
For the last three years, The Fatherhood First Project in Rapid City, S.D. has been tasked with getting dads more involved in Head Start and Early Head Start programming. This has been accomplished by Fatherhood First Specialists:
Working one-on-one with Head Start and Early Head Start dads facilitating one-on-one activities between the dads and their kids, helping them understand the value of play time with their kids.Hosting Father/Child activity nights where Father’s eat dinner with their kids and then everyone participates in a special activity designed to highlight dad’s strength…