LONG BEACH, Calif. (CitizenWire) — Families Uniting Families will be extending an invitation to those in the community to join in a “Family Game Night” on March 24, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at their offices in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, located at 525 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA, 90813. The “Family Game Night” is an opportunity to meet the staff and participants in a safe environment where the group will promote “family together time” through a variety of physical games and play to recruit new members into the weekly support groups.
Families Uniting Families is a 501(c)3 charity organization committed to providing homes, care, treatment and supportive services for abused, neglected and emotionally troubled children and their families.
“Families Uniting Families is pleased to offer this innovative program to meet the needs of fathers, their children, and their families,” said James Schrage, Executive Director/Founder of Families Uniting Families. “By offering this opportunity to the community, we are able to take one more step by offering a proven model in supporting children’s well being that is based on promoting a father’s meaningful involvement in their children’s lives and it will also allow FUF to bolster our positive presence in the community. This effort furthers our mission, supports our current programs, and brings a much needed resource to the community. As a father, I know from a personal standpoint that we need as much support as we can get. There are many challenges out there. This is a safe place to land and we are here every week.”
To address the problem of absentee fathers, CII created Project Fatherhood(SM) in 1996 to re-engage low-income fathers, particularly in urban settings, in the care and upbringing of their children. Federal funding allowed Project Fatherhood(SM) to expand in 2006 across Los Angeles County. The Project Fatherhood(SM) Community Grants Program is part of the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance.
Back on September 21, 2010, Children’s Institute Inc. (http://www.projectfatherhood.org/) announced that Families Uniting Families (FUF) would be one of 10 recipients for a grant to initiate a father support group called Project Fatherhood(SM). Since November 2010, FUF has been actively building their Long Beach based “Men in Relationships” support group. Studies show that children without fathers are more likely to live in poverty, use drugs, drop out of school, develop emotional and behavioral problems, and be incarcerated. The presence of participating nurturing fathers has a profound positive impact on children’s health and well-being.
“Project Fatherhood creates community and connections among fathers and within families,” said Dr. Barbara Martinez, Co Facilitator of the Significant Others group, “It is exactly this type of program and exactly this kind of atmosphere we look to promote at FUF, and this program will go a long way in providing help to our fathers and their families.”
About Families Uniting Families:
Families Uniting Families has been serving children in Los Angeles County and Orange County since 2004. They are known for providing excellent care and treatment to children who suffer from abuse and neglect. Families Uniting Families cultivates nurturing and knowledgeable families to protect and enhance the welfare and stability of vulnerable children and their families so that they are able to live productive and meaningful lives.
For more information about Families Uniting Families, call (562) 437-4114, contact info@familiesunitingfamilies.org or visit the Families Uniting Families web site at www.familiesunitingfamilies.org .
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