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DADS
Making a Difference - What it is All About!
by Derek Jones
"On Mother's Day, the most phone calls are made. On Father's Day, the most collect phone calls are made."
(Warren Farrell, Ph.D.Why Dads Matter. The revolution
has started. Head's up.)
It seems that society still perceives the father's main role as a monetary one. But fathers can be seen in the malls and in parks taking total responsibility for infants and children. More men are seen pushing strollers along the streets, with smiling faces. It still strikes a strange cord as people may stop and say what a wonderful thing the father is doing. Yes it is wonderful - but not strange. It should be just as natural for a father to take his child out as it is for a mother. Yet fathers do not have the same community support or programs available to them that are available to mothers. In fact, fathers can often be overlooked in matters concerning their children.
Dads Making a Difference is a new community initiative headed up by a team of community partners that includes Family Services Saint John, The Saint John Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative, The Family Resource Centre, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, VON Healthy Baby & Me, Clarica Life Insurance Company, and the National Crime Prevention Centre. This initiative hopes to make 'father friendly' services the norm in Saint John.
Dads Making A Difference was launched June 15th 2001. The initiative has three main goals: to create a supportive community environment, in which we reinforce the message that Dads Make a Difference; to provide support and resources to dads in their role as a parent; to provide mentors to fathers to help reinforce effective parenting roles.
What's ahead? A continued awareness campaign spreading the important message that dads are an integral part of raising a healthy, well adjusted child. Programs for fathers to help support their important role will be developed. A DADS website where fathers can find help and support is being considered. A computer camp for dads and their children should be available in the coming months. Focus groups involving dads to find out what they would like in terms of support and getting even more fathers involved in this initiative as well as in their children's lives!
Those interested in more information on this program, or information on becoming a volunteer, please contact Derek Jones, Co-ordinator of Dads Making a Difference, at (506) 658 9340 or by e-mail at dgjones@rogers.com.
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