Because it takes a Village, our Outreach and Admissions Counselor, Ms. Daysha George and our Business Community Liaison, Ms.  Wally Espada, took four students, from our Cleveland Job Corps Center, (CJCC) to this year’s 17th Fatherhood Initiative Conference, 2023.  “A Celebration of Fatherhood” Fathers Matter event. Cuyahoga County Fatherhood Initiative movement. Composed and spearheaded by a multitude of “public/private collaboration of agency representatives that combine their skills and knowledge to benefit the fathers of our county”.

The conference event was full of vital resources and was a great and amazing experience that will last our students a lifetime in their journey as fathers.  The knowledge and guidance they obtained is priceless.  The conference itself  consisted of a “Resource Fair, an Opening Plenary Session, a Town Hall Meeting, an Awards Luncheon and Educational Workshops” throughout the days event.  An array of talented professionals that presented in “break out” sessions throughout the day are vested in the success of our fathers.  They even served continental breakfast for early birds. And we broke bread with the village.

Their keynote speaker this year was Peter Lawson Jones, “a graduate of Harvard University and Harvard Law School, a former Shaker Heights and Ohio State Legislator, County Commissioner and now an outstanding actor who most recently starred in the film ” A Man Called Otto” with megastar Tom Hanks.  Peter was also responsible for getting the fatherhood Initiative established in Cuyahoga County.   Stated,  Mr. Al Grimes, Director, Cuyahoga County Fatherhood Initiative.   Peter is a great influencer and role model and our students had an opportunity to meet him, up close and personal.  Shaking hands with him and even fist bumps were exchanged.Cleveland Job Corps Center participated providing a table with information about our Cleveland Job Corps Centers, FREE Education & Training,  as a resource and viable option for young fathers.  While our  students, were also welcome to participate as recipients of all Fatherhood Initiatives has to offer them.This was a great collaborative event,  where our village was well represented by an entire community.  Composed of  sixty agencies participating in the services available throughout Cuyahoga County.  The village was indeed well represented, providing HOPE for a better future today at this event.   With “wrap-around” services to encourage engagement and maximizing growth potential for fathers.  Embracing and Empowering our students and all fathers in attendance with graceful and priceless resources, information and guidance galore.

Students get to meet, greet and speak with Peter Lawson Jones

Our students from CJCC, were able to visit all resource tables and obtain guidance, knowledge and written resources that will help them learn how to navigate through their own fatherhood journey as they complete their trades, here at our Cleveland Job Corps Center.   They were “wrapped around” with so many resources and so much information from the village in attendance.  It was amazing.  The Community/Village, had a lot to offer these young men. And all fathers in attendance.   Mr. Grimes stated that “from their experience over the last sixteen conferences, he realizes that the community is becoming increasingly more aware of the Fathers Initiative  role in assisting fathers to become engaged and remain involved in the development of their children and in their respective family’s lives”.  It certainly “takes a Village”…!Mr. Grimes concluded  the event, stating he “…hopes all will benefit from this event by developing new partners, gaining new knowledge of how to improve service delivery models, make new friends and enjoying the day…” as the “Celebration of Fatherhood” succeeded in capturing the attention of the audience.  Uniting the village in service to Fathers.  Because Fathers Matter, was the Mantra that resonated  and “it takes a village” “to make this happen”… was paramount.