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Research has shown that when fathers are engaged and present, children do better. We celebrate fathers on Father’s Day because we should celebrate everything that makes children’s lives – and outcomes – better. When children have close relationships with father figures, they tend to avoid more risky behaviors; have high-paying jobs and healthy, stable relationships; and have high IQ test scores. The benefits continue, but one thing is certain: Fathers are important in children’s lives, so we should support them and celebrate their presence in their children’s lives.<\/p>\n
Here are a few organizations that champion fatherhood and understand the important role fathers play in their children’s lives.<\/p>\n
All Pro Dad is a Family First program that provides tools and resources to fathers that allow them to be more present in their children’s lives. Led by former NFL head coach Tony Dungy, NFL player Benjamin Watson, ESPN personality Dan Orlovsky, and many other prominent sports figures, All Pro Dad hosts an annual parenting session for kids and dads at an NFL or NCAA stadium and a monthly school program where dads meet with their kids at school to spend time building relationships.<\/p>\n
The Center for Family Policy and Practice is a nonprofit organization that advocates for fair and equitable laws and policies that affect low-income families and fathers. Focusing on child nutrition, family safety and security, and financial and economic security, CFPP serves as a think tank to develop solutions to the barriers faced by low-income fathers and fathers of color.<\/p>\n
The Child and Family Blog provides research-driven content on the impact of the family on a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. In addition to covering topics such as race, divorce, and inequality, the Child and Family Blog includes research on the importance of fathers and the role they play in both family dynamics and child development.<\/p>\n
The Family Equality Council works to ensure that members of the LGBTQ community have the ability to create families and provide the support, education, activism and advocacy, and resources they need to parent and foster loving, healthy family relationships. FEP also follows national and state legislation that affects the ability of LGBTQ couples to become parents and maintain parental rights.<\/p>\n
Fathering Together provides anyone who identifies as a father with tools and resources to uplift and support them as they work to build a “more equal society.” The organization hosts various communities so that fathers from all walks of life can reach out to peers for help, support, and advice while working to make the world a better and safer place for their children.<\/p>\n
The Fatherhood Project is a Massachusetts-based program that empowers fathers to be “informed, active, and emotionally engaged with their children.” Through research-based learning programs and initiatives such as Dads Matter, Fathers in Discovery, Young Fathers, and Divorcing Fathers, the organization aims to help all fathers be more present and involved with their children while focusing on fathers in underserved and underserved communities.<\/p>\n
Fathers Incorporated is an Atlanta-based non-profit organization that works with legislators and leaders of the responsible fathering movement, religious and business leaders, and family law professionals to advocate for legal and social changes that promote the involvement of fathers in the lives of their children. The group focuses on co-parenting, domestic violence, incarceration, child development, child support, and employment and financial stability. Fathers Incorporated provides resources and programs for fathers to interact with their children in a healthy way and raises awareness through programs such as the Million Fathers March and Black Dads Count.<\/p>\n
Fathers’ Uplift is a one-of-a-kind organization that provides fathers with the tools they need to overcome trauma, addiction, racial barriers, and emotional issues to help them fully engage with their children and families. Fathers’ Uplift provides therapy, coaching, mentoring opportunities, and youth enrichment with the goal of reducing the number of children raised without positive father figures in their lives. It is the only organization in the United States that offers treatment, counseling, and addiction support specifically targeted to fathers and their families with the goal of bringing families together and giving them a framework for success.<\/p>\n
The National Fatherhood Initiative is the nation’s largest provider of research on father involvement and the impact fathers have on families. It provides communities with resources and training to increase father engagement with the goal of ensuring that communities and human service organizations have the tools and training they need to engage fathers so that fathers can be more involved in their children’s lives.<\/p>\n
The Native American Fatherhood and Families Association is an Arizona-based non-profit organization focused on nurturing family relationships through Sacred Fatherhood\/Sacred Motherhood (FIS\/MIS), Connecting Generations through Strengthening Relationships, and Addressing Family Violence and Abuse Programs. Using culturally sensitive curriculum and materials, NAFFA is able to address the specific concerns of the Native American community to unite families and empower fathers to be family leaders.<\/p>\n
The National Partnership for Women and Families understands that families benefit when fathers are present and engaged. Another way NPWF creates an equal world for women is by leading programs, laws, and calls to action that support fathers by promoting effective fatherhood and gender equality.<\/p>\n
Promundo, founded in Brazil in 1997, has worked worldwide to involve fathers in the care economy, promote active fatherhood and promote gender equality and justice by involving men and boys and women and girls. The organization is currently being restructured to include all genders. Its new name, Equimundo: Center for Masculinities and Social Justice, “reflects our commitment to promoting gender equality and our roots in social justice. The name change also captures our approach to collaborating and never overshadowing our diverse partners around the world.”<\/p>\n
This article was originally published