Program

The Newark Y is committed to strengthening our community. Our new Fatherhood Program is one way we accomplish this mission. When children have responsible and committed dads in their lives, they are more likely to flourish. 

 

 

Adapting the well-respected National Fatherhood Initiative’s 24/7 Dad curriculum to the needs of our community, we have developed a twelve-week workshops series for dads. By educating and supporting the fathers, we hope to improve the lives of the families in our community. The Newark Y is here to provide the resources and bring families together to focus on the things that matter the most – like the importance of fathers. In this way, we ensure a brighter future for our youth.

 

 

The Newark Y curriculum is adapted from the National Fatherhood Initiative 24/7 Dad curriculum. We facilitate twelve weekly parenting workshops, to support child development learning. Fifteen fathers completed our recent series and participated in our first graduation ceremony and dinner on March 30, 2011.These men forged a bond with program leaders and with each other that will carry far beyond the program. All of these men, from a range of fatherhood experiences, have conveyed that the program helped them a great deal. Some gained specific knowledge about parenting, others found the strength to reach out to children that they had not had contact with. Still others gained insight into the perspective of their partners.  One of the graduating Dads, addressed the crowd of almost 90 friends, family members and staff during the ceremony,  “I feel motivated to become a better Dad to my kids and do the right thing.” 

 

Health and Well-being for Dads and Kids:

We offer an opportunity for dads and their kids to learn together about healthy lifestyles and choices and supporting each other in an environment that encourages positive behavior change. Many of the extensive health and wellness resources of the Newark YMWCA are utilized to provide recreational and physical fitness programming for dads and kids. For example, weekly Family Swim for the fathers in our program and their children to learn or enhance their swimming skills. In addition, Y staff members offer a weekly fitness class for our program participants and their children. Our branch at the University of Dentistry and Medicine of New Jersey offers nutritional education and health screening to fatherhood program participants. 

  

For information about participating in our next Fatherhood Workshop series, contact Daryl Brown at 973/624-8900 or dbrown@newarkymca.org.