Projects
Annual Fatherhood Heritage Awards Dinner
Fathers Incorporated host an awards dinner in January celebrating individuals and organizations that have contributed significantly to the advancement of the field of fatherhood and mentoring. The awards are based on four key attributes personified by the mission and goals of Fathers Incorporated. Proceeds benefit Fathers Incorporated general operational activities.
Ties Never Broken
“Ties Never Broken (Blue Bow Tie),” is the theme and icon that embodies the need of addressing fatherlessness and mentoring. The term speaks to the all too real connection between a child and their biological father. Estranged, deployed, deceased or otherwise, there is a tie/connection that is never broken between parents and their children. The blue bow tie icon will be established as a symbol to expresses this reality.
2011: Year of Responsible Men
2011: The Year of Responsible Men. This is an umbrella cause marketing concept that allows for us to partner with national organizations in the hopes of creating viral messages around the importance of being responsible men and mentors. Currently we have an Honorary Board, media sponsors, municipal support and more than 50 agencies who have signed memorandum of understandings with FI to engage in programs and projects throughout 2011.
Beyond the Boundaries
Fathers Incorporated, United Sisters of New York, Black Child Development Institute of Albany, Raising Him Alone Campaign, Strategies for Empowered Living and the Open Society Foundation’s Campaign for Black Male Achievement presents “BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES” a conference for Single Moms. This conference will address the impact of father absence on children, mothers, family and community. This three-day conference will begin with a lecture given by a National Speaker on Friday, along with a film screening of “Man-UP; The Fatherless Speak;” a full day of workshops and another film screening of “We Need to Talk; A Message to Our Daughters” on Saturday and a special Sunday Morning Church service, dedicated to Single Mothers.
No Excuses: College Bound
One of the areas of work we seek to engage, is that of addressing the low numbers of African American males graduating from high school; thus not making it to a collegiate education. Our society and funding has recently been focus on EDUCATION. We have chosen to take a different approach. Fathers Incorporated believes that the message of a college education by those who have accomplished those goals must be magnified. Through public service announcements, focused events and imagery using influential voices of sports and entertainment, we create a way of encouraging more African America male students to pursue a college education. We are excited about the possibilities of the project and the changes it can have on our families and communities. The No Excuses: College Bound approach can be easily implemented and with a small financial investment could change the way our youth see the path to success.
Gentle Warriors Mentorship Guide
“Gentle Warriors” A Mentorship Guide to Exploring Your Pathway to Manhood and Fatherhood was adapted from my personal story. This introspective and easy to use guide is designed to specifically help young males sort through the myriad of emotions as a result of not having a positive male role model in their lives. These shared experiences mirror that of many young men growing up in loving single mother households, yet they lack the intervention of a father to help them down the pathway of manhood.
The Metropolitan Fatherhood Project
The work ahead is national in need and must be approached with the broadest solution available. In communities where single mothers struggle to provide healthy and productive environments for children; a fresh look at providing programmatic support for fathers are needed. Responsible Fatherhood is a microcosm of the larger issue of family development; particularly in low-income communities where the impact of fatherlessness is most prevalent. Thus, the paradigm must shift to include fathers at the core of family development and a national organization charged with the task of capacity building and social marketing can do well in addressing this concern.