Single Fathers ages 16-24 Wanted....

Currently I am interning for a non profit organization called Scan La Guardia Memorial House, located in East Harlem’s 116th street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue. Scan which stand for Supportive Children’s Advocacy Network provides residents of East Harlem with family counseling, parenting workshops, after-school programs and teen activities. During my highschool years I was heavily influenced by the “Reach for the Stars” college readiness service I received from Scan and as my way of giving back I am now devoting my time and assistance for the organization. Every week the center provides numerous workshops including the one this week titled “Strengthening The Role of Fathers,” an eight weeks workshop that is dedicated to single fathers ages 16-24 with child support order. As an intern this week I helped set up the workshop by reaching out to participants to confirm their attendance followed by making important phone calls to prepare monthly stipends and metrocards that is given to participants.
The main topics discussed in this week’s workshop were child support, conflict meditation and role of a father and his rights. Participants began the session by discussing their relationship with the mother of their child and steps that can be taken to improve it. It seemed like most of the father’s main concerns were visitation and custodial separation, then the workshop instructor explained the importance of going to a court hearing the first time around dressed professionally to impress the judge. Participants learned the dos and don’ts in family court along with the difference between child support enforcement agency and family court. This session from my understanding was therapy for most of the fathers due to the stress that comes from having a newborn financially and emotionally. Eventhough in the beginning the process of setting up the workshop for my first time seemed hard the positive feedback was rewarding. I had the chance to network with social workers from the “Single Parent Resource Center” that came to lecture the workshop and had the chance to gain experience on my public speaking skills.