It was a special night last night for the NYC Dads Group– the culmination of our first NYC Dads Care project, and graduation for 19 of the dedicated participants of the Bronx Fatherhood Program (BFP), an innovative fathering initiative serving non-custodial fathers ages 14-21. These Dads completed the program designed to help fathers understand the importance of their role and to to embrace fatherhood and the responsibilities that accompany it. The comprehensive course addresses everything from newborn care and child development, to parent-child relationship development, and partner conflict resolution. The program also supports each participant with career development tools, legal services, and financial education. BFP aims to help each father to improve his parenting competency, to increase his engagement in his child’s life, to improve communication with his co-parent, to implement positive parenting skills, and to contribute consistently to his child’s well-being– emotionally, financially, and materially.
We know how difficult it is to be a parent even in the best of circumstances, so we wanted to help these guys in any way we could. We partnered with Baby Buggy to support the graduates with a package of supplies that each Dad could bring home to his family. Members of the NYC Dads Group community purchased gear and supplies including diapers, bottles, formula, strollers, and even a crib. We also reached out to companies like LEGO and Plum Organics as well as our friend Jamie Grayson, the famous Baby Guy NYC, to add toys, food, and supplies appropriate for each father and his children. We also wanted to take care of the Dads, so we were thrilled when Brooks Brothers, Pixel Moda, and Kiehl’s agreed to give each dad a tie, a watch, and a grooming kit. Very special thanks to all these companies and supporters!
We are very thankful to have met these Dads that have made a commitment to be the best fathers they can be. We wish them all the best and look forward to finding more ways to share our fatherhood experiences down the road.
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