Strengthening Family Bonds

Columbus Urban League Program Stresses
Importance of Connecting as a Father

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What started as a small program focused on helping primarily African-American men in their roles as fathers has turned into an extremely popular class with eager dads from all walks of life.

The Columbus Urban League’s Father-to-Father (F2F) program, launched as a parenting program in 2008, is a 12-week program that utilizes the nationally accredited curriculum “Nurturing Father.” The first year, 64 fathers graduated. In 2009, more than 100 are expected to complete the course.

“The demand for the program has grown so much in the community that we have had to go to a dual class format, with classes both Tuesday mornings and Thursday nights,” said Eddie Harrell, Jr., president and CEO of Columbus Urban League (CUL). “And although the program is housed within the African- American Male Initiative, we service a very diverse population of men. Each of the three graduations in 2008 represented this diversity.”

The African-American Male Initiative was developed in collaboration with the City of Columbus and Mayor Michael Coleman and the Columbus City Council. According to CUL, the activities and programs in this department “center on empowering African-American males to help reduce contact with the criminal justice system, increase physical health, and improve connections with children and families.”

Fathers enrolled in the F2F program first complete a Personal Improvement Plan, setting goals and benchmarks for success. Mr. Harrell explains this important step helps educate the fathers in the program how to go from being reactive to proactive in hopes that the fathers themselves can prevent situations from escalating.

“Father-to-Father helps men overcome the barriers that are preventing them from being the fathers they desire to be. Statistics show there is a need to stop the generational curse of disconnected fathers,” said Mr. Harrell.

Ultimately, the program helps fathers realize it is their responsibility to raise, develop, and support their children, regardless of how they were raised. It becomes beneficial not only to the fathers, but ultimately to the children in our community.

CUL is offering three sessions of Father-to-Father in 2009. There is no charge for the program. Any father in the community can call CUL for more information at 614/372-2342.