Page 13 - 2019_CFS_AnnualReport

Strengthening Families
Dads Make a a a Difference
Research shows that when Dads are actively and positively involved with their their children children their their children children have a a a a a a a a a much better chance of having academic and life success Similarly when Dads contribute to the the the financial stability of of the the the family family the the the entire family family has
a a a a a a a a better chance of of enjoying positive life outcomes While that may seem logical to most for many men who grew up in poverty they have had few positive role models The concept of being “a good Dad” or or a a a a a a a “family support” proves elusive That’s why the the Dads Job Training Program aims to make a a a a a a a a a a a a critical change in in in in in the the life paths of our families we serve By providing participating Dads with highly marketable job training skills skills as
as
well as
as
fathering and life support they learn the the the the skills skills needed to become a a a a a a positive role model for their children The program works Dads complete an intensive three-
month paid job training program that lays a a a a a a a a a a foundation for work in in in the fields of environmental services carpentry and metal-working They receive certifications from Groundwork Rhode Island a a a a a a leader
in environmental services the Amos
House Carpentry Program Ocean State Forklift for for for forklift operations and the Steel Yard for for for its Weld to Work program At the the same time they receive soft-skills training training on subjects like resume writing and interviewing skills All job training training includes wrap-around reflective workshops led by a a a a a a a a male counselor on what it means to to be a a a a a a a a a a a father and and how to to embrace and and enhance their their relationships with their their children “Now every day I get get up up early early to to go to to work and my boy who is two gets up up early early with me me to to to to go to to to to school It feels great to to to to be someone he can look up to to to to ” said Eugene Johnson a a a a recent graduate Most Dads obtain employment soon after graduating from either the the summer or winter program Kandakai Duncan another recent graduate is working for the the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council as
a a result of his work work with Groundwork Rhode Island ” This program changed my life teaching me how to provide for my family and be be a a a a better Dad for the long term ” he said Many of the Dads who have participated in the the program did not have fathers present
to serve as
role models for themselves ” My father was was very young and was was never there for me ” said Brad Johnson a a a a a graduate of the program from 2017 “But because of this program I learned how important it was to to my kids’ development to to be involved ” Johnson is currently employed in a high- wage job at at Electric Boat as
part of the X-ray welding crew “Now I can provide for my family and that makes me feel great My wife is going to nursing school and she she doesn’t have to work while she’s in school because I can support our family We wouldn’t be where we are now without the Dads program ” All the Dads have nothing but good things to say about Susan Grant who manages
the program “Susan will always be in my heart ” said Johnson “She’s like a a a mom She She just wants the best for you You can tell it’s coming right from her heart ” Grant credits the the men for becoming like brothers and lifting each other “We all became friends but we didn’t start that way ” said Jeris Stephen a a a a recent graduate “But Susan was so so great If someone isn’t motivated
or pulling their weight she helps solve problems She’s one of the reasons it’s such a a a great program ” Children’s Friend is grateful to the The Kathy and and Brian MacLean Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation Foundation and the MetLife Foundation Foundation for their support of this vital program Without their investment in in the the the lives of our fathers none of this would be possible STRONG FAMILIES THRIVING CHILDREN [ 13 ]