Sparked by a trio of dynamic HPP Community Health Workers (CHWs), a new fatherhood-centered workshop titled the Fatherhood Reunification Education Empowerment (F.R.E.E.) Project launched this month. The weekly workshop will offer a safe and comfortable space for fathers to learn ways to become more engaged and active in their children’s lives, as well as feel empowered to make fatherhood a priority. Participants will also be able to develop peer support and greater confidence and comfort in addressing issues impacting their families.
The project’s genesis and evolution were initiated and developed after CHW Schyneida Williams attended a Homeless Perinatal Conference workshop on the importance of fatherhood involvement in the families we serve. Approximately 8% of HPP’s clients are male. “I thought a group focused on fathers would be a great and needed resource that we didn’t already have at HPP,” Schyneida said. “I brought together [CHWs] Elisa Gasca and Alma Vasquez, and we spent a weekend coming up with all of these ideas, issues, and topics that a fatherhood workshop could address.”
After researching various studies for statistical and anecdotal support and building a general curriculum, the impressive trio presented their project to program staff. HPP’s Team 3, which focuses on family reunification and child welfare issues, was thrilled that a preliminary idea they had previously explored was now getting the nurturing it deserved and decided to launch and develop the project.
“Team 3 had always wanted to do a fatherhood group, but we didn’t have the capacity to launch one at the time,” Child Welfare Team Manager Carla Roberts said. “These women worked hard and got the ball rolling. We will foster and nurture the group and continue to outreach to the men who come in to HPP. Our goal is for the fathers to leave with more education around building healthy relationships with their partners, children, and community members. We also encourage them to continue their education so that they can be prosperous in the community, be employed, and give back to the community.”
As for Schyneida, she is excited to see the project off the ground. “I feel really good that one of my ideas came to life. This group will be our legacy to HPP, and I hope that many fathers and families will benefit from the project.”
Her CHW colleague Elisa agreed. “I was raised by a single father, and I remember him struggling to take care of my brother and me. This project will help fathers support each other, as well as receive support and encouragement from fathers who have been in their shoes and want them to succeed.”
HPP’s CHW Training Program is a highly competitive, intensive 12-month paid job training program that prepares low-income women for employment. More than 50% of candidates chosen to be CHW trainees are former HPP clients. Many graduates of the program go on to work in a variety of positions at local community-based organizations, and some fill HPP’s open staff positions.