United Way of the Capital Region (UWCR) has created the Fatherhood Academy and the Tri-County Fatherhood Coalition to help local fathers form strong bonds with their children.
The issue of absent, non-engaged fathers, is a national concern, most recently addressed by President Baraka Obama. The role of a parent is critical to the development of a healthy, well-rounded child. Being a parent is a difficult job, made even more challenging when one half of the equation is missing. The Fatherhood Academy is held every Monday evening from 6:30 8:00 at the United Methodist Neighborhood Center, 3rd and Kelker Streets, Harrisburg, PA. The classes are free and open to all men. The Firm Foundation, Hamilton Health Center and the Community Action Center also have free Fatherhood classes, and participate in the Tri-County Fatherhood Coalition.
The Fatherhood Academy uses two curriculums, which are designed to educate and inspire the men in attendance. The first curriculum was developed by a Shippensburg University Graduate student, in the School of Social Work, who was interning for UWCR. The student introduced the concept to her graduate class, who then took it upon themselves to research the most effective fatherhood programs in the country. The second curriculum called “Knights of the 21st Century,” which was developed by the founder of Pennsylvania Counseling Inc. The DVD based curriculum covers 26 weeks of excellent instruction for fathers, and is well received by the participants of the Fatherhood Academy.
Any father who wishes to be a part of the Fatherhood Academy can attend one of the Monday night sessions, without pre-registration. For more information, visit, www.tricofatherhood.net, or contact Nathaniel Gadsden, at 732.0700.