Programs

Train the Trainer: Leadership Mentoring Program

This program is designed to increase community/civic involvement by involving and encouraging stakeholders to take part in Father Matters’ training. These stakeholders will be trained and developed to facilitate programs in their own communities, as well as others. More qualified facilitators will help us reach more people to improve the well-being of children and strengthen our families by increasing the proportion of children growing up with involved, responsible, and committed fathers and mothers. Our goal for this project is to successfully build the communities we serve, thereby simultaneously building ourselves up internally. We will build the capacity of a relatively small but diverse group of neighborhood stakeholders that will embrace the mission of Father Matters and assume responsibility for facilitation of programs throughout their communities. It is our endeavor to recruit and train at least 10 new cross cultural facilitators by the end of year two of this project. Additionally, we will continue offering our Fathers Mentoring Fathers and Mother2Mother programs to work directly with the families to promote healthy relationships and effective communication. Participation in these programs will promote better health and related social service outcomes by increasing and improving the involvement of fathers and mothers in overall community development. 

Fathers Mentoring Fathers Program

Our six-session program covers five topics that are critical for today’s active, effective, and involved fathers. These “men only” programs provide a safe environment for the participants to open up their hearts and help one another work out their issues. Certificates are awarded upon completion. The topics are as follows:

 

Communication
We cover the importance of communication between a father and his family. Stressing how fathers have a significant impact on their children’s learning and behavior. How there comes a point in their lives when they must figure out who they are and how they must overcome the communication barriers that exist in order for their families to break free of the negative cycles that are blocking them from becoming a better person for their families.
 
Time and Commitment
We stress that a relationship is based on quality time. In this session men learn that what they do speaks louder than what they say and that they must use their time wisely to be good role modes for their children.  Ultimately they come to learn that if they do not take the time to influence their children, someone or something else will. 
 
Responsibility
Here the men discuss the need to take family responsibility seriously.  Men come into their role as a father when their child is born and learn how to address the different and complex aspects that come with fatherhood.  Unfortunately in today’s world the family dynamic is growing more and more complex with the stresses of blended families, financially stressed homes and the involvement of significant others. Men must understand how to navigate these challenges in a positive and healthy manner.  In the session facilitators teach the men that fatherhood is no longer necessarily based on a biological bond, but rather on the social realities of today. 
 
Dumping The Garbage
Men are reminded again that children will be apt to do what they do, not necessarily what they tell them to do. For this reason men cannot expect their children to lead moral and ethical lives if fathers themselves are not willing to identify and acknowledge their areas of need. This session is dedicated to helping men take personal inventory of their character and behaviors and to commit to cleaning up these toxic behaviors that keep them from being the very best they can be for their families. Some of the areas discussed are: 
  • Alcoholism 
  • Adultery
  • Drug Abuse 
  • Physical Abuse
  • Mental Abuse 
  • Verbal Abuse
  • Racism 
  • Inappropriate Sex 
                  Future Fathers 
                  Our last topic focuses on the importance of joining and staying connected to a small men's group. Father Matters believes that through our positive actions, examples and by learning from each other, participating fathers not only will become better men, but more importantly, their children will have better dads. 

                  Crossroads for Teens

                  The “Crossroads for Teens” is a broad-based community program that teaches about the risks of pregnancy, dropping out of school and the social challenges that await them if they go down the path of becoming a teen mom or dad.  The kids learn there is much more to a teenage pregnancy than having a child, it's about learning what that role will look like and what awaits them.  They see first hand how that responsibility will impact their success in the future and the future of their child.  This 30-week curriculum seeks to empower teens, their families and their surrounding community by working toward the following goals:
                   
                  Educate and Empowering:
                  • Teens
                  • Fasilitators
                  • Parents of Teens
                  • Greater Community
                  Dumping The Garbage
                  • Written plans for a clear direction
                  • Written partnerships with other social service agencies
                  • Community partnerships for sustainable program development

                  Mother2Mother Mentoring Program

                  The Mother2Mother sessions are similar to the “Fathers Mentoring Fathers” sessions in that the same five areas are covered but they are tailored to the female perspective.