This time of year is special for several reasons, with schools letting out across the country, students moving up a grade and kickstarting a great summer. Graduations of all kinds are held, celebrating accomplishments and serving as the start of a new chapter for many.
For Good Dads, June marks a special time in the lives of fathers and their families. As we gear up to celebrate Father’s Day, we’d like to celebrate all of the wonderful dads who graduated from the New Pathways for Good Dads program this year, which is no small feat!
On the evening of June 4, nearly fifty suit-clad fathers and hundreds of audience members — family members, legislators, community members and more — attended our annual New Pathways for Good Dads graduation ceremony. The ceremony honors and celebrates the achievement and commitment of New Pathways for Good Dads participants as they work to be more involved in the lives of their children.
To be eligible to graduate, dads must complete six months of Good Dads classes on parenting and relationship education, gain employment, make regular child support payments or otherwise contribute to the wellbeing of their children to the extent that they are able.
The New Pathways for Good Dads program consists of two portions: Good Dads 2.0 and Within My Reach. Good Dads graduate Tanner Danielsen described the classes as “fun and interesting.” Participants aren’t just becoming the best fathers they can be through the program: they’re becoming better leaders, communicators and friends. Springfield’s KY3 featured a story on the event.
“You learn who you are and who you can be,” graduate Jason Heckman said, adding that the classes allowed him to “see things at a different angle.”
“It’s been a long road,” he continued. “We’re better men for it.”
The ceremony featured music performances from local musician Bruce Blakemore and a speech from Good Dads Founder and Director, Dr. Jennifer Baker.
“Today—after many years of being overlooked—people are starting to recognize the critical role fathers play, not just in the lives of their children, but in the health of an entire community,” she said, addressing the crowd. “Simply put, when a community has a high percentage of engaged fathers, it’s a better place to live.”
One of this year’s graduates, Levi Statler, was featured in a recent episode of the Good Dads podcast. There, he revealed that this was the first graduation ceremony he’s participated in. Through the program, his connection with his partner and young son have improved.
“When I first started, I didn’t think I needed to be there,” Levi admitted. “Both (classes) helped me tremendously. I found a lot of friends there. It changed my perspective.”
The post-graduation ceremony featured refreshments and a photo-op, courtesy of retired professional photographer Dan Emrie. Families lined up to take photos together, making memories that will last for ages. Graduate Michael Bodine said Good Dads classes “sharpened his ability to be a good father.”
Good Dads seeks to help kids and communities one dad at a time. Through their fatherhood initiatives, fathers in Southwest Missouri and beyond are being transformed, strengthening family bonds and bolstering communities.
“In a time when everything seems to be getting more expensive, investing in fathers may be one of the smartest and most cost-effective decisions a community can make,” Dr. Baker concluded her speech. “You are that investment. Your presence matters. Your effort matters. Your consistency matters. Because when the value of fathers goes up— everything else gets better.”
