Organization enlisting help of former Super Bowl champion
Recognizing that fathers are important in their children’s lives, the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette Inc. (PIC) is enlisting a former Super Bowl champion and a national leader in the fatherhood movement to talk about a new countywide initiative called Dads Matter. The official kickoff for Dads Matter of Fayette County will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Cherry Tree Alliance Church, 640 Cherry Tree Lane, Uniontown, with speakers that include former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Robin Cole and Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, president and chief executive officer of the National Partnership for Community Leadership in Washington, D.C.
A press release explained that Cole will address men about the importance of staying involved and raising healthy children. Johnson, a national leader in the fatherhood movement for the past 30 years, will cover the importance of being a responsible father and how to become equipped to be an effective parent.
Registration for the event begins at 8:30 a.m. and is free. There are no income requirements. Refreshments will be offered as well as prizes that include four Pittsburgh Pirates tickets to a July 3 game with fireworks.
“We are targeting men but welcoming women who want to come,’ said Bill Huebner, Dads Matter Program supervisor. “We want to reach whomever is interested. We wanted to have a public event that will draw people in, give them an educational opportunity and have them learn who we are.’
Dads Matter is funded by a five-year grant to PIC from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance.
“The primary purpose of the funding is parenting education, focusing on fathers so everything we do has to have that as a target,’ explained Huebner. “We want to provide education and learning opportunities for dads.’
A project fact sheet notes the mission is to “enable fathers to improve their relationships with their children, improve parenting skills and help fathers overcome barriers that often prohibit them from being effective and nurturing parents by providing them with training and learning opportunities.’
And fathers could use the attention.
“Traditionally,’ said Huebner, “a lot of supports go to moms. There are not many programs such as this that give fathers an opportunity to develop skills in parenting. There’s a need for encouraging fathers to be involved in their kids’ lives. Of the single-parent homes in Fayette County, most are headed by women. Research shows that children do better if both parents are involved, whether they are married or not. If the parents are working together, the children do better in school, avoid drugs and alcohol and become less involved in sexual experiences.’
Huebner also noted that children learn parenting skills from their parents.
“Our hope is to reach this generation to offer support and break down barriers so they can decide to be involved in their children’s lives in a more effective way,’ he said.
The May 19 kickoff is the first of several events that are being planned. Others will feature both local speakers as well as speakers from outside the area.
In addition, Dads Matter is offering small-group parenting classes. Two have already started in Uniontown. Huebner said parenting classes can be offered “wherever a group of guys want to get together and work with us.’
The fact sheet explained program services include providing regular parenting education classes on a variety of topics relevant to fathers and families, offering education about community agencies that provide support services to families, providing information on father/child activities available throughout the community (at little or not cost) that support topics covered in parenting curriculum, providing educational resource materials, sponsoring regular seminars and special educational events with noted speakers, and offering opportunities for participants to connect with other fathers experiencing similar situations in parenting. Participation is voluntary and is open to all Fayette County residents with no income restrictions.
Tim Yurcisin, PIC president and CEO, said in the press release, “Dads Matter is another example of how the Private Industry Council is trying to encourage family development and promote growth and opportunities for Fayette County.’
He further stated, “The development of our children is critical to establishing a strong future for the county. Providing them with good solid male role models will go a long way in helping to assure that future.
To register for the kickoff event or to receive more information on Dads Matter, call 724-437-2590 or send an e-mail to begin dadsmatter@privateindustrycouncil.com dadsmatter@privateindustrycouncil.com end
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