Thanks for selecting the Father’s Corner. When visiting the Father’s Corner, you’ll find interesting, informative, witty and educational writings from the world of fatherhood. Sometimes I’ll write and offer my personal viewpoint on issues directly impacting men and fathers. Other times I’ll share with you information I receive daily from a wide variety of fatherhood resources I subscribe to. Whatever the case, the material found here at the Father’s Corner will ALWAYS be uplifting, encouraging and positive as the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative strives to increase the proportion of involved, responsible and committed fathers in the City of Milwaukee.
Sincerely,
Terence Ray, Director
Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative
The smiles, the encouraging pats on the back, the supportive hugs, all occurred within a sea of men—quiet and attentive during the plenary session. Then came a thunderous chorus of voices repeating the affirmation of their manhood, led by Thabiti Boone. These are all memories that bring a smile to my face as we close the curtain on yet another successful fatherhood summit.
After all the planning, the ‘spirited’ debates, the sleepless nights, phones ringing off the hook, the flood of emails, media interviews, meetings and negotiations, it all comes down to one thing: helping fathers take their rightful place beside their children.
Now that the 2007 Fatherhood Summit is over, the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative’s work is just beginning. The MFI remains committed to staying in touch and following up with these men to ensure that the momentum, commitment and determination that permeated the air at the Youth Destiny Plaza, remains steadfast.
As director of the MFI, I pledge that my commitment will go beyond this two-day event. It is a 365-day, all-consuming passion that drives me to return the endless phone calls, stop to talk to men I encounter as I make my way to yet another meeting, and keeps me awake at night as I challenge myself mentally and spiritually to solve the many issues related to fatherhood.
I feel extremely blessed to live out my passion—helping men become better fathers, celebrating and acknowledging the critical role fathers play and working to strengthen families. As accolades are doled out, I must acknowledge Mayor Tom Barrett, who had the vision to create the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative. I must also take my hat off to the close to 3,000 men who attended the two-day summit and took advantage of the myriad resources made available to them.
Many of the men left the summit determined that any obstacles or barriers they face in the future will not render them helpless, but rather strengthen their determination to be the men, role models and dads that their children look up to.
If there was one theme that resonated throughout the summit, it was that children need their fathers. This theme was joyously preached on Friday by the Rev. James Redd. It was echoed by Milwaukee Bucks’ All-Star, Michael Redd, as he called his dad, “his hero.” The theme was poignantly expressed further by keynote speaker Thabiti Boone as he shared his personal plight to break the cycle of fatherlessness in his family, and it was repeated by Mayor Tom Barrett, as he shared how his father had made a difference in his life.
Indeed, children need their fathers AND fathers need their children. Milwaukee is blessed to have leadership that commits time, staff and resources to this very important initiative, all for the sake of our children.
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