Fatherhood initiative makes a difference when men step up

Jeff Beverly, housing director with St. Mary/ Vermilion Community Action Agency, and David Teno, coordinator of the Fatherhood Initiative at CAA, spoke to Franklin Rotarians Tuesday about the program.
“Our job is to encourage fathers and father-figures,” Teno said. “Any clean, decent young man of 16 years of age or older, who has children at heart, we invite these young fathers and father-figures to come out and get involved with our Head Start children.”
Teno went on to say that he had noticed at Head Start program events that the majority of parental attendance comprised of moms, and sometimes, nobody at all.
He said that he has observed that the presence of a male figure makes such a difference in the behavior of a Head Start classroom that the program seeks to affirm that presence at as many functions as possible.
“What we do is design programs, fun programs to get dads involved,” Teno said. “One of our most successful programs is our fatherhood fishing tournament.”
He described how after advising the Head Start community of the event’s male-only status, moms and grandmothers professed such a love for fishing and a need to participate, that they became included as well, not only changing the parameters for attendance, but out-fishing their counterparts, too.
“So, we opened it up. It’s a fishing event for parents, for everybody,” Teno said. “Statistics have proven that when a man is involved with a young boy at an early age, juvenile delinquency will decline. It’s a proven fact that when men are involved with young girls, teenage pregnancy declines. So, we solicit any help, any advice that anyone can give us. Our motto is: To be one, you have to see one.”
Beverly reminded Rotarians that in addition to the Fatherhood Initiative, CAA is also active with its housing programs and will gladly speak with anyone who wishes to find out more.
To get involved with the CAA Fatherhood Initiative: fill out an application at the CAA campus in Franklin or Baldwin.