Cuyahoga County held the 10th annual Fatherhood Conference, celebrating fatherhood with the message that fathers matter CLEVELAND –Cleveland Job Corps Center , recreation D director William Pruitt and Student leaders along with the BCL Michael E. Taylor attended the 10 Annual Fatherhood Conference. A heartbreaking story has become the sad backdrop for a host of weekend events aimed at helping dads get and stay involved in their children’s lives. Two-year-old Derrice Alexander Jr. was accidentally shot and killed by his dad, Derrice, during a heated argument with is mother. Could any intervention or mentoring programs have prevented that? There’s no easy answer. But Friday, Cuyahoga County held the 10th annual Fatherhood Conference, celebrating fatherhood with the message that fathers matter. The conference offers programs and advice for fathers struggling to find employment, deal with child support issues and other problems. Fatherhood Initiative Director Aldonis Grimes said the conference has made a real difference in the lives of thousands of young dads, as well as the lives of their children. His basic message: “Whether you are in the children’s home or not, you need to stay involved in your children’s lives.” The Cleveland Job Corps Center student leaders were happy to attend the difference session on fatherhood such as Images, of Fathers in the Media, From Prison to Home-re entry, Child Support101 –Answers to your question social service programs-how to get help -Keynote Speaker, Dir. Alex Johnson Ph.D. President of Cuyahoga Community College Master of Ceremonies Wayne Dawson Fox 8 News, Tom Beres WKYC TV 3 Michael E. Taylor BCL Cleveland Job Corps Center Career Development & Opportunities –How to get a Job ?spoke as panelist and join Dennis Roberts , Robert C. Stewart (Tri-C) Charles E. Bradford The Salvation Army and Vincent Richards Ohio Mean Jobs moderator Maurice Stevens Career Consulting Group LLC. Other afternoon workshop Engaging Fathers in their Children Education, Financial Literacy- How to succeed in Today‘s Financial Environment, custody and visitation issues –Custody. 2014 Honor Father highlights the Titan of NorthEast Ohio Football Ted Ginn Jr. Glenville High School Football & Track Coach Special Community Award – Chuck Kyle St. Igisnatis High Football Coach & Track Special Community Award he spoke and took a picture with our CJCC young men, Councilman Zack Reed is spreading that same theme as he promotes a Saturday event, “The Father’s Day Pledge.” It’s sponsored by groups including the National League of Cities, the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, and the United Way, the city of Cleveland, the Hispanic Roundtable, the Urban League and multiple ministers’ groups. Saturday morning at 10, fathers and families and supporters are invited for refreshments at the Old Stone Church. There will be a march to City Hall followed by a Father’s Day pledge to end violence in homes and communities. Reed isn’t sure what the turnout for the heavily promoted event will be. Groups are coming from Akron and Canton. He says commitment is more important than numbers. Some have suggested the event is more likely to be a symbolic and a feel-good event than to have any lasting impact on serious issues involving teen pregnancy, lack of jobs and broken families. “The problem will continue. We’ll continue to scratch our heads and continue to go to funerals. And we can continue to cry or we can do something about it,” he said. Similar events are planned in about 50 cities. The county’s Fatherhood Initiative offered numbers of its accomplishments over 10 years. It’s put 3,000 young dads through the basic lessons of a Dad’s Boot Camp. It’s given job training to 1,500 young fathers and put 600 in jobs. Twelve thousand young men have gone through a program to keep them from becoming fathers before they are emotionally and financially ready. But the problems keep growing. 44 percent of households in Cuyahoga County are now single-parent homes.children’s lives. Two-year-old Derrice Alexander Jr. was accidentally shot and killed by his dad, Derrice, during a heated argument with is mother. Could any intervention or mentoring programs have prevented that? There’s no easy answer. But Friday, Cuyahoga County held the 10th annual Fatherhood Conference, celebrating fatherhood with the message that fathers matter. The conference offers programs and advice for fathers struggling to find employment, deal with child support issues and other problems. Fatherhood Initiative Director Aldonis Grimes said the conference has made a real difference in the lives of thousands of young dads, as well as the lives of their children. His basic message: “Whether you are in the children’s home or not, you need to stay involved in your children’s lives.” The Cleveland Job Corps Center student leaders were happy to attend the difference session on fatherhood such as Images, of Fathers in the Media, From Prison to Home-re entry, Child Support101 –Answers to your question social service programs-how to get help -Keynote Speaker, Dir. Alex Johnson Ph.D. President of Cuyahoga Community College Master of Ceremonies Wayne Dawson Fox 8 News, Tom Beres WKYC TV 3 Michael E. Taylor BCL Cleveland Job Corps Center Career Development & Opportunities –How to get a Job ?spoke as panelist and join Dennis Roberts , Robert C. Stewart (Tri-C) Charles E. Bradford The Salvation Army and Vincent Richards Ohio Mean Jobs moderator Maurice Stevens Career Consulting Group LLC. Other afternoon workshop Engaging Fathers in their Children Education, Financial Literacy- How to succeed in Today‘s Financial Environment, custody and visitation issues –Custody. 2014 Honor Father highlights the Titan of NorthEast Ohio Football Ted Ginn Jr. Glenville High School Football & Track Coach Special Community Award – Chuck Kyle St. Igisnatis High Football Coach & Track Special Community Award he spoke and took a picture with our CJCC young men, Councilman Zack Reed is spreading that same theme as he promotes a Saturday event, “The Father’s Day Pledge.” It’s sponsored by groups including the National League of Cities, the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, and the United Way, the city of Cleveland, the Hispanic Roundtable, the Urban League and multiple ministers’ groups. Saturday morning at 10, fathers and families and supporters are invited for refreshments at the Old Stone Church. There will be a march to City Hall followed by a Father’s Day pledge to end violence in homes and communities. Reed isn’t sure what the turnout for the heavily promoted event will be. Groups are coming from Akron and Canton. He says commitment is more important than numbers. Some have suggested the event is more likely to be a symbolic and a feel-good event than to have any lasting impact on serious issues involving teen pregnancy, lack of jobs and broken families. “The problem will continue. We’ll continue to scratch our heads and continue to go to funerals. And we can continue to cry or we can do something about it,” he said. Similar events are planned in about 50 cities. The county’s Fatherhood Initiative offered numbers of its accomplishments over 10 years. It’s put 3,000 young dads through the basic lessons of a Dad’s Boot Camp. It’s given job training to 1,500 young fathers and put 600 in jobs. Twelve thousand young men have gone through a program to keep them from becoming fathers before they are emotionally and financially ready. But the problems keep growing. 44 percent of households in Cuyahoga County are now single-parent homes. On June 13, 2014 Cuyahog Cuyahoga County held the 10th annual Fatherhood Conference, celebrating fatherhood with the message that fathers matter CEVELAND –Cleveland Job Corps Center , recreation D director William Pruitt and Student leaders along with the BCL Michael E. Taylor attended the 10 Annual Fatherhood Conference. A heartbreaking story has become the sad backdrop for a host of weekend events aimed at helping dads get and stay involved in their children’s lives. Two-year-old Derrice Alexander Jr. was accidentally shot and killed by his dad, Derrice, during a heated argument with is mother. Could any intervention or mentoring programs have prevented that? There’s no easy answer. But Friday, Cuyahoga County held the 10th annual Fatherhood Conference, celebrating fatherhood with the message that fathers matter. The conference offers programs and advice for fathers struggling to find employment, deal with child support issues and other problems. Fatherhood Initiative Director Aldonis Grimes said the conference has made a real difference in the lives of thousands of young dads, as well as the lives of their children. His basic message: “Whether you are in the children’s home or not, you need to stay involved in your children’s lives.” The Cleveland Job Corps Center student leaders were happy to attend the difference session on fatherhood such as Images, of Fathers in the Media, From Prison to Home-re entry, Child Support101 –Answers to your question social service programs-how to get help -Keynote Speaker, Dir. Alex Johnson Ph.D. President of Cuyahoga Community College Master of Ceremonies Wayne Dawson Fox 8 News, Tom Beres WKYC TV 3 Michael E. Taylor BCL Cleveland Job Corps Center Career Development & Opportunities –How to get a Job ?spoke as panelist and join Dennis Roberts , Robert C. Stewart (Tri-C) Charles E. Bradford The Salvation Army and Vincent Richards Ohio Mean Jobs moderator Maurice Stevens Career Consulting Group LLC. Other afternoon workshop Engaging Fathers in their Children Education, Financial Literacy- How to succeed in Today‘s Financial Environment, custody and visitation issues –Custody. 2014 Honor Father highlights the Titan of NorthEast Ohio Football Ted Ginn Jr. Glenville High School Football & Track Coach Special Community Award – Chuck Kyle St. Igisnatis High Football Coach & Track Special Community Award he spoke and took a picture with our CJCC young men, Councilman Zack Reed is spreading that same theme as he promotes a Saturday event, “The Father’s Day Pledge.” It’s sponsored by groups including the National League of Cities, the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, and the United Way, the city of Cleveland, the Hispanic Roundtable, the Urban League and multiple ministers’ groups. Saturday morning at 10, fathers and families and supporters are invited for refreshments at the Old Stone Church. There will be a march to City Hall followed by a Father’s Day pledge to end violence in homes and communities. Reed isn’t sure what the turnout for the heavily promoted event will be. Groups are coming from Akron and Canton. He says commitment is more important than numbers. Some have suggested the event is more likely to be a symbolic and a feel-good event than to have any lasting impact on serious issues involving teen pregnancy, lack of jobs and broken families. “The problem will continue. We’ll continue to scratch our heads and continue to go to funerals. And we can continue to cry or we can do something about it,” he said. Similar events are planned in about 50 cities. The county’s Fatherhood Initiative offered numbers of its accomplishments over 10 years. It’s put 3,000 young dads through the basic lessons of a Dad’s Boot Camp. It’s given job training to 1,500 young fathers and put 600 in jobs. Twelve thousand young men have gone through a program to keep them from becoming fathers before they are emotionally and financially ready. But the problems keep growing. 44 percent of households in Cuyahoga County are now single-parent homes.