THE PROJECT
BREAKING THE CYCLE OF FATHERLESSNESS THROUGH
EDUCATION AND CAMARADERIE
THE PROJECT
In an era where many young men are raised without the guidance of a father, these young men don’t have examples of how to be a good father. Thus, a vicious cycle is created. In order to break this cycle, The Father Academy strives to provide mentorship, training, camaraderie, and peer support to fathers.
As research indicates, “over and over again, men expressed that a father-led, fathers-only group gives them the safety and ability to open up about their doubts, fears, and other emotions that would not be possible in a co-ed group.” (Rosenberg & Wilcox, 2006) Receiving referrals from sources such as the Department of Social Services, the schools, churches, and the community at large, The Father Academy can be thought of as a Beautillion Academy for fathers. This 9 month program will meet monthly and include speakers, a curriculum based on other successful programs, act as a support group, and a mentoring or buddy component that would pair gentlemen so they have either a peer or more experienced father or grandfather with whom to forge a bond that would hopefully last beyond the program. This program will culminate annually on Fathers’ Day, where the graduates would be celebrated for completing the academy and have a rites of passage ceremony.
The Father Academy will restart this September through virtual meeting spaces. Sign up today!
The Importance of Dads
Father involvement in schools is associated with the higher likelihood of a student getting mostly A's. This was true for fathers in biological parent families, for stepfathers, and for fathers heading single-parent families.
Source: Nord, Christine Winquist, and Jerry West. Fathers’ and Mothers’ Involvement in Their Children’s Schools by Family Type and Resident Status. (NCES 2001-032). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2001.
Early positive father-child interactions reduce cognitive delay. Source: Bronte-Tinkew, J., Carrano, J., Horowitz, A., & Kinukawa, A. (2008). Involvement among resident fathers and links to infant cognitive outcomes. Journal of Family Issues, 29, 1211-1244.
Studies show the significance of father involvement in the lives of at-risk children, even in the case of non-resident fathers! Source: Howard, K. S., Burke Lefever, J. E., Borkowski, J.G., & Whitman , T. L. (2006). Fathers’ influence in the lives of children with adolescent mothers. Journal of Family Psychology, 20, 468- 476.
Study after study shows the importance of fathers. No matter your situation, you can make a huge impact on the life of your child!
