|  By: LCC Staff
Our Local Conservation Corps, Employment & Training, and Sanctuary Youth Services, in partnership with several community based organizations (Fresno Street Saints, San Joaquin Valley Veterans and Fresno County Department of Veterans Services), were among select programs chosen nationwide to receive a Responsible Fatherhood grant, The grant is funded under the Department of Health & Human Services.
The Proving Our Parenting Skills (POPS) demonstration grant will serve Fresno County program participants – men and women who are 30 years old and younger and who are in need of economic stability/employment services – with activities to promote or sustain marriage and healthy relationships, and activities to promote responsible fatherhood/parenting. Several new positions, including a POPS Program Manager, Case Manager, Education/Outreach Specialist and a corpsmember Fatherhood Peer, have been created for the grant. LCC will serve as the central hub for POPS.
Excited for the new opportunity the grant brings to an underserved area – young fathers in Fresno County – LCC Director Shawn Riggins says, “A father serves many roles in the life of a child. He is a role model for his son. A son learns how to be a man by watching dad.” He continues, “A father also serves as a role model, and in particular, a relationship model for his daughter. A daughter growing up with a dedicated father in her life will look for someone with his qualities when she begins to date. Given the harm caused by father absence and the benefits of father involvement, one of the most important keys to improving child well-being is to increase the proportion of children growing up with involved, responsible, and committed dads.” |
