We honored 24 exceptional men on Thursday, June 12, at the Downtown Church in Springfield, MO. This amazing event, with 150+ attendees, celebrated the dedicated fathers who met all the criteria of the New Pathways for Good Dads program.
These outstanding individuals have accomplished a great deal: They finished both classes, found stable jobs, and are making a positive difference in their families’ lives. Salute to you, dads! Your successes are changing the world.
“People may have given up on you—you may have been tempted to give up on yourself, but you didn’t,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Baker, founder and director of Good Dads, addressing the graduates during the ceremony. “You’re here, and that means you’re winning … You are becoming the dad that your children need (and) the man your future depends upon.”
Find out more about the New Pathways for Good Dads program on the Good Dads website.
Please join us in congratulating…
- Bradley Bailey
- Schott Berry
- Mason Biaggi
- Dalton Bridges
- Clayton Burke
- John Cheney
- Shane Conlee
- Zachary DeMeyer
- Madison Dennis
- Christopher Gilmartin
- Melvin Harris
- Michael Howerton
- Dana Murphy
- Kenneth Phillips
- Jason Powers
- Cruz Ortiz II
- Anthony Ramos
- Steven Roberts
- Larry Shultz
- Adam Smith
- Jose Torres
- Ryan Warren
- James Watson
- Marco Zepeda
It’s hard to overstate how impactful the program, New Pathways for Good Dads (NPGD), can be for participants. Enrollees learn a variety of important fatherhood and healthy relationships skills, such as listening, stress and anger management, safety, childhood development milestones and conflict resolution—all of which contribute to their ability to be Good Dads. Beyond that, those enrolled in NPGD receive case management services, employment resources and access to a powerful network of companions.
While we celebrated 24 graduates last night, more than 60 additional fathers are eligible to graduate from the program. Since the beginning of the last fiscal year, Good Dads has enrolled nearly 300 dads in the program in Southwest Missouri alone.
“The New Pathways program is hugely transformational for our participants,” said Rhonda Andersen, Good Dads director of training and education. “When they come to the Good Dads office to be fitted for a suit to wear at the ceremony, which they receive free of charge, they have huge smiles on their faces. They feel confident. They feel worthy—like they earned the thing they worked so hard to achieve. It’s a huge deal, and to me, that smile says it all.”
What Dads are Saying About New Pathways
“I feel like I should have went a lot sooner.” —Graduate Zachary DeMeyer
“I thought it was great insight … (the program) was a really great experience all around.” —Graduate Dalton Bridges
“I loved the program. My relationship with Christ has developed … shout-out to facilitators Dwight (Neher) and Dick (Clay).” —Graduate Anthony Ramos
Our Gratitude To…
- Board Member Will Cox for being a fantastic Master of Ceremonies.
- The Uke66 Trio: Rick and Karen Maxson on ukulele and Jesse Owsley on bass.
- The Downtown Church for generously hosting space for the ceremony and reception.
- Pastor Brian Mattson, for his event help and musical talents.
- Chelsea, Jarrod and Joe at ADsmith for their amazing multimedia skills.
- Good Dads case managers and facilitators who joined their graduates in celebration.
- Good Dads volunteers who made the event an amazing success.
More graduation photos coming soon!
