United Way of the Coastal Bend is helping fathers get the skills they need to be involved in their children’s lives through National Fatherhood Initiative’s 24:7 Dad Program.
The free program is the nonprofit's newest effort as part of the Success By 6 Initiative, which works to ensure local children are safe, healthy, and ready for school.
What is the 24:7 Dad Program?
Developed by fathering and parenting experts, 24:7 Dad is the most widely-used evidence-based program designed specifically for fathers. It focuses on the characteristics that men need to be involved fathers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This community-based program helps men develop the attitudes, knowledge, and skills they need to get—and stay—involved with their children. 24:7 Dad focuses on key fathering characteristics — like masculinity, discipline, and work/family balance — and helps men evaluate their own parenting skills, as well as their fathering role models.
A group of dads can go through a series of free weekly workshops that give them the parenting, relationship, and communication skills they need to be involved, responsible, and committed fathers. Danny "D.J." Jackson leads the local workshops, which will be held quarterly.
The Corpus Christi native is a retired educator, whose teaching career spanned four decades and included a win as "Regional Teacher of the Year."
The Flour Bluff High School graduate earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Texas at Arlington, where he set passing records as the football team's quarterback. He recently was inducted into Flour Bluff ISD's Sports Hall of Fame.
Since retirement, the father of six has continued to foster a love of learning in children through church ministry and tutoring.
How To Sign Up
24/7 Dad Program: Fathering, A Domestic Gridiron Game
When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 3rd, 10th, and 17th
Where: United Way of the Coastal Bend, 4659 Everhart Road, Corpus Christi
No cost to attend. Dinner provided. Prizes! Topics include: What It Means To Be A Man, Showing & Handling Feelings, & Communication
Who is eligible? Any Dad or father figure with children ages six or younger in Nueces or San Patricio counties.
Registration link coming soon.
Space is limited.
What is National Fatherhood Initiative?
National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) works in every sector and at every level of society to engage fathers in the lives of their children. NFI provides various resources and training including this program. It also makes appearances in national media to discuss the importance of involved, responsible, and committed fatherhood. Learn more at fatherhood.org.
“Research shows that a major barrier to father involvement is a lack of skills in dads, many of whom grew up without fathers in their lives," said Christopher Brown, President of National Fatherhood Initiative. "At a time when 1 in 4 children live in father-absent homes, United Way of the Coastal Bend should be applauded for its efforts to help dads get involved.”
