ATHOL – Two free programs offered by Valuing Our Children are designed especially for dads who are actively involved in their children’s lives and are looking for new resources.
The drop-in Dads’ Group, which started in 2010, meets year-round on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the VOC North Quabbin PATCH and Family Resource Center, 109 Lumber St.
The Dads’ Group “is 100 percent designed around what they are really interested in,” according to VOC Executive Director Kena Vescovi. “We want it to be exactly what they’re looking for.” VOC will try to bring in speakers or staff based on the dads’ chosen topics. Some discussions have included healthy relationships, understanding school policies and cultural sharing.
“Anybody who’s important in the life of a child gets something out of it,” Vescovi said of the “robust” group. Meetings have been attended by caregivers ranging from single dads to a grandfather. Members have helped out with the Back to School Backpack program, National Night Out, and other projects.
The next Dads’ Group will meet on Sept. 5. Vescovi said that while registration is not necessary, it’s helpful to know if someone is planning to attend so they can plan for food. A notice will be put out a week in advance in case the father needs to arrange child care or transportation.
The Nurturing Father’s Program, a 13-week parenting education class to be held at the Lumber Street location, is tentatively scheduled to start in February 2020. It requires registration and is designed for fathers “to reflect on their parenting style and learn new techniques for their ‘parent toolbox,’” and gives them the opportunity to talk with other fathers. Attendance of at least 11 weeks is required to graduate from the program.
While the dads are attending one of the programs, VOC will offer child care onsite with trained facilitators providing learning activities.
VOC school liaison Nicole Lyman, who heads the two programs, said the Dads’ Group has produced friendships and supportive relationships. Some of the members have involved their families in other programs offered by VOC. “It’s been beneficial for the guys to have other connections through the group and for the whole family,” she said.
Vescovi said mothers tend to join groups more than fathers, and because the two programs are tailored just for the dads, she says it makes them feel like they’re a part of something. “We’re not telling them how to be dads,” she said. “we’re bringing them to have meaningful conversation on important topics relating to their kids.” The fathers are welcome to attend as many meetings as they’d like.
Both programs are supported by grants funded by the Family Center, the Family Resource Center, and Community Connect.
A Nurturing Families program for both parents will start in two weeks. “We all tend to parent with what we know,” Vescovi said. “The Nurturing Families program has the parent reflect on how they were parented and decide what pieces they want to keep and what to they want to throw away.”
For more information about the father’s support groups and other programs offered by Valuing Our Children, call 978-249-8467, the PATCH and Family Resource Center at 978-249-5070, or visit www.valuingourchildren.org, Facebook or Twitter @ValuingChildren.