PTA More:
MISSION
Dedicated to raising the level of engagement between children and the important men in their lives.Coalition members of PTA MORE serve as a conduit for greater father and significant male involvement, resulting in positive outcomes and successful relationships for children, parents, schools and communities. PTA MORE helps PTA leaders and units Work with schools and communities to provide programs that engage fathers and positive male figures in the educational and social development of children,
Develop male leaders who work with fathers and male role models to enhance positive male parenting and involvement with youth,
Act as a resource for families, communities and schools on fatherhood initiatives and issues,
Increase the visibility and outreach of the quality programming of the coalition members.
WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students)
http://www.fathers.com/
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
WATCH D.O.G.S. is a program of the National Center for Fathering focusing on prevention of violence in schools by using the positive influence of fathers and father-figures to provide an unobtrusive presence in the schools, and to be a positive role-model for students.
Through WATCH D.O.G.S. participation:
Schools get an enhanced sense of security at their buildings, creating an environment conducive to learning.
Students gain positive male role models, including students without such role models.
Fathers learn about the complex challenges facing today’s youth.
Fathers gain awareness of the positive impact they can have on a student ís academic performance, self esteem, and social behavior.
WATCH D.O.G.S. is for fathers and father-figures who volunteer at least one day each year at an official WATCH D.O.G.S. school. During the day, WATCH D.O.G.S may read with students, eat lunch with them, watch school entrances and hallways, mentor students, and any other assigned activities.
All Pro Dad
http://www.allprodad.com/
Tampa, Florida
All Pro Dad, founded by Tony Dungy, is a program of Family First, an organization dedicated to strengthening the family. All Pro Dad programs include:
All Pro Dads Day A one-hour monthly breakfast held before school where fathers/male role models and their kids can meet, have fun and discuss family topics. Materials for All Pro Dads Days are free of charge to local organizers. These materials include videos, father/child discussion cards, door prizes, meeting instructions, brochures, posters and promotional flyer’s.
NFL Father and Kids Experience Held in conjunction with an NFL team, these events include workshops on father and child relationships, motivational talks, and interactive sports and games.
Play of the Day A concise daily e-mail of fatherhood advice.
Real Men Cook/Real Men Charities Inc.
http://www.realmencook.com/
Chicago, Illinois
Real Men CookÆ began in Chicago in 1989 as a way to change the perception of African American fathers by holding annual Fatherís Day food sampling, entertainment and fund-raising family celebrations. Real Men Cook has generated over $1 million in ticket sales proceeds to nonprofits, is a national Fatherís Day event in 15 cities, and is credited with changing the way Father’s Day is celebrated. Real Men Cook encourages recognition of biological dads and father figures and encourages family and community involvement.
Real Men Cook has attracted celebrity father hosts and endorsers such as NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson and reaches millions through news media coverage. The event includes:
Food sampling, entertainment and healthy family demonstrations
Real Men Charities Inc. providing on-site health screenings, nutrition and family fitness
Real Men Read, Kids and Health & Wellness Pavilions
Black Star Project
http://www.blackstarproject.org/
Chicago, Illinois
The Black Star Project is committed to improving the quality of life in Black and Latino communities of Chicago and nationwide by eliminating the racial academic achievement gap. The group strives to provide educational services that help preschool through college students succeed academically and become knowledgeable and productive citizens with the support of their parents, families, schools and communities.
The Black Star Project’s Million Father March provides men an opportunity to show their commitment to the educational lives of their children. In participating cities, fathers and father figures are encouraged to take their children to their first day of school. The Million Father March serves as the beginning of a year-long commitment of men to children. More than 200 cities have hosted Million Father Marches.
Services are available to all students, particularly low-income Black and Latino students who attend low-achieving schools in disadvantaged communities.
National Fatherhood Initiative
http://www.fatherhood.org/
Gaithersburg, Maryland
National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) aims to help children succeed by getting dads involved. NFI’s school-based programming helps schools and PTA’s involve dads and increase membership with innovative programs and resources, such as:
Dadventures: Fun, hands-on activities that dads and kids can do together.
Double Duty Dads: A unique mentoring program that can help PTA’s recruit members and volunteers.
Dad E-mail: A weekly e-mail just for dads with relevant hints, tips, and advice.
Interactive CD-ROM’s, informative brochures, colorful posters, and more!
NFI also has resources for deployed dads, new and expectant fathers, and dads who want more information on balancing work and family. For more information on these innovative resources and programs, or how you can help change the world one father at a time, visit http://www.fatherhood.org/.
Strong Fathers-Strong Families
http://www.strongfathers.com/
Fort Worth, Texas
Strong Fathers-Strong Families is a training, technical assistance, and facilitation organization that is focused on strengthening children by strengthening fathers and families. Through staff training, consultation, and event facilitation, Strong Fathers-Strong Families works with Head Starts, Public Schools, and Churches as well as other organizations. The goal is to improve the educational environment in order that men may become more involved in the lives of their children.
National Partnership for Community Leadership
http://www.npclstrongfamilies.com/
Washington, DC
The focus of NPCL’s work is on building strong families by helping local and community-based agencies develop and implement services that enable parents to be the best they can be. Without the support and involvement of agencies trained and empowered by NPCL to work effectively with families, many children grow up with fragile family support systems. NPCL is dedicated to working with both parents to plan ahead, develop healthy relationships with each other, and provide a safe and secure environment for their children. Creating a strong family foundation for children to grow and develop in reaching their maximum human potential is what NPCL is all about.
National Compadres Network
http://www.nationalcompadresnetwork.com
Hacienda Heights, California
Based on the principles of El Hombre Nobleî (the Honorable Man), the National Compadres Networkís goals are to strengthen, re-balance, and redevelop the traditional Latino extended family system by encouraging and supporting the positive involvement of males in families and the community. Goals include the acknowledgement of the many Latino men who are positive and responsible fathers, family and community members, and leaders and to challenge and encourage all Latino men to actively participate in nurturing, guidance and development of their children, families and communities.