Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett

Dear Fathers,

I have made it my number one priority to make Milwaukee a stronger and safer city. I have focused the policies and resources of my Administration toward fighting crime, improving public health and bringing family-supporting jobs to a workforce prepared to fill them.

However, government entities can not go it alone. Strong families are essential to ensuring that these objectives come together. Essential to strong families is the critical role of fathers. Recent studies have found that involved fathers have a profound influence on the success of their children.

Children who have an active father are more inclined to graduate from high school and pursue higher education. Children with an active father are more likely not to engage in criminal activity. Lastly, research has shown a direct correlation between teen pregnancy and absentee fathers.

That is why I have partnered with leaders in our community – from business and education to social services and faith organizations – to launch the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative.

The initiative kicked off in October of 2006 with a Summit that drew more than 1,000 men to learn more about how they could be part of their children’s lives.

I wanted to use this forum to promote the great things that involved fathers bring to their families and their communities and encourage others to sign on to our efforts. It was a tremendous success but it was only the beginning.

This year, we will hold the 2nd Annual Fatherhood Summit and I hope you will join us. Please check this website often for updated information.

Remember, any man can be a father but it takes a real man to be a dad.

Sincerely,