FATHERHOOD: Uplift "FatherFULLness"; Eliminate "FatherLESSness"
Research shows that Fatherless children are eleven times more likely than are children from intact families to exhibit violent behavior and 71% of high school dropouts are from fatherless homes (National Fatherhood Initiative). In CEF's in-depth work with at-risk teens, much of their anguish and anger is related, by their own reports, to father absenteeism. Many of our teens are fathers or fatherless. We are committed to significantly reduce father absenteeism in the lives of children in poor, underserved communities.
The social literature is replete with research on the devastation that the lack of a father's physical and/or emotional presence has on the lives of children. We see the images of this research played out in the lives of the teens and young adults we serve. Center for the Empowerment of Families educates young teen fathers and their significant others (support group) on ways to be a responsible dad. This is a significant break-through for the many teen fathers who have no positive father role models, and for fatherless boys and girls who look for love in the wrong people and places. Our Fatherhood program provides them with parenting skills that underscores a purpose for them to find meaning in life--their children. For many, they embrace the opportunity to break the inter-generational trajectory of fatherLESSness within their own families and communities. For others, CEF's classes serve as a prevention from having additional children prematurely.
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CEF-Teen Fatherhood Program Participants’ Testimonies (detained teens)
“This is the only place I can go to and not have to look over my shoulders. No matter what set we’re from, we are all fathers.” CC
“This class help me to learn a lot about myself and my baby. I know how to calm her down and why she cries. Now I am more confident. I did not want to hold her, now I do.” JG
“I have learned a lot from this class. Everything you say, I experience when I see my son at the visit. I am more relaxed with my son now. This class help me to be a better young father. ” AF
“I am learning how a baby should be treated. I know now that my baby is not just “punkin you”, when the baby cries they just want some attention. “ BB |
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FATHERS LEAD: JOIN THE FATHERS' HOOD
Center for the Empowerment of Families offers classes to adult fathers in underserved communities. We also provide training opportunities to facilitate classes and model responsible fatherhood character and skills to both teen and young adult fathers. Our fathers report that the classes provide them an awesome opportunity to give back to families--to their village/hood. |
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