A Community Foundation grant to support an educational program offered by I.M.P.A.C.T. is helping local fathers understand what it means to be a dad and how to create healthy family relationships.

“It’s exciting to be able to support this educational program for fathers with this grant because it benefits not just the fathers taking part in the program, but their families as well,” said John Tomlinson, chair of the Community Foundation Grants Committee.

A part of the National Fatherhood Initiative, the 24/7 Dad Fatherhood Program is designed to improve the overall well-being of families by helping fathers understand their role, the needs of their children and how to co-parent with their child’s mother regardless of relationship status. In April 2021, I.M.P.A.C.T. brought the program to the region with support from a Community Foundation grant to benefit local fathers.

“I don’t know of any other group that is doing this in St. Clair County right now that is specific to dads,” said I.M.P.A.C.T. Lead Prevention Specialist Michael Thomas. “We wanted to be part of that discussion because we’ve worked with so many dads that are struggling, that do care for their children and want to be a bigger part of their lives.”

The James C. Acheson Fund provided funding for the $3,500 grant helping I.M.P.A.C.T. with startup expenses for the program such as purchasing the 24/7 Dad handbook needed for the curriculum and supplementing the cost of the program for participants residing in St. Clair County.

“We’re happy to be a part of doing what we can to help fathers in this community connect with their children and we’re really appreciative of the Community Foundation offering their support,” Thomas said.

Meeting once a week, the group of fathers discussed topics centered around fatherhood and parenting such as the transition into becoming a father, being aware of body language and having a healthy co-parenting relationship. The 12-week program is intended for fathers with children who are newborns to 18 years of age and helped 13 families within its first year.

“I was able to complete the course successfully with the feeling that I have more tools to be a better father,” said program graduate Donovan Schooler.

Unrestricted funds like the James C. Acheson Fund have been able to make a significant impact in our community, benefiting programs such as the 24/7 Dad Fatherhood Program and other charitable purposes due to its flexibility to address needs as they arise and evolve over the years. To learn about funds making an impact across the Thumbcoast region, visit stclairfoundation.org/funds.