In today’s society men can sometimes feel hopeless, fearful and insecure. Many men may feel they have no one to talk to who understands, have nowhere to turn or it’s too late to make changes in their lives.
“When you don’t have anybody else, you have God,” said Jukobie Russell, parenting and outreach specialist at the Fathers and Families Center.
The Circle City Fatherhood Coalition (CCFC) partners with the Fathers and Families Center and several other faith-based organizations to offer support programs to fathers.
Programs include career building, job placement, substance abuse and use, anger management, financial literacy, family court advocacy and relationship building. No matter what education level or criminal background, the men are provided with job leads and encouraged to turn a job into a career.
Although some fathers attend the programs to reap the rewards, the Marion County Paternity Court also refers fathers to the programs but their attendance at the sessions is not mandatory.
“Any father who comes in here is here to make a difference in his life and most importantly the lives of their children,” said Keith Smitherman, program director, CCFC.
In addition to other programs, the CCFC also facilitates Fatherhood 101 sessions where men have the opportunity to learn from different guest speakers. Fathers also have the chance to vent their frustrations on various topics such as child support and the court system.
Michael Shaw, a 28-year-old father of three sons attends Fatherhood 101 sessions on a regular basis.
“The programs have strengthened my point of view,” said Shaw. “I have learned things that I can apply to my life. If you want to grow, you can grow. There are lots of obstacles that are part of life. What you do about obstacles is on you.”
For instance, Shaw has learned how to file a modification for his child support order after losing his job. He remains optimistic about finding another job and has been provided with job leads.
Although Shaw’s father was absent for the majority of his childhood, he wants to break that cycle with his own children.
“I didn’t want to follow that pattern. I wanted my kids to know me and to know each other. I never want my kids to go through what I went through,” Shaw said.
Through the sessions Shaw has learned the importance of teaching his sons responsibility, values, self-respect and showing them a positive male role model.
“Through the programs I want to strengthen my values, get a better understanding of fatherhood and get a job because being a father means everything to me,” said Shaw.
