Atlanta Real Dads Read Expands to Columbus

 

 

Columbus, GA-- Fathers Incorporated; a national 501c3 not-for-profit and Atlanta based Furthering Fathering is partnering with Chattahoochee Valley Parent2Parent, LLC to launch phase one of its Real Dads Read (www.realdadsread.org) initiative in Columbus, GA. Real Dads Read is a program aimed at elementary and middle school aged children (K-8) and designed to engage ALL fathers/men in encouraging children to enjoy reading.

 

“While the overall project is designed to encourage all fathers, there is a particular need to focus on Black and Latino fathers; particularly in low-income communities,” says Kenneth Braswell; Executive Director of Fathers Incorporated. Our efforts will begin by engaging barbershops and beauty salons, and eventually creating Real Dads Read clubs in schools and churches.

 

The local effort will be led by Randalette L.Williams, President of Chattahoochee Valley Parent2Parent, LLC. “It is important for us to partner with this effort. Although as a whole we have made significant district-wide improvements in the areas of graduation rates and test scores, there is still room for improvement particularly in the areas of parental and community involvement. The solutions begin with us,” says Mrs. Williams. “With Real Dads Read, we can make a profound impact in our community by empowering fathers and men to actively engage in their children’s education but we cannot do it alone.”

 

The effort began with a forum and informational meeting this Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the Mildred Terry Library. Speakers included Dr. David F. Lewis; MCSD Superintendent, Warren Steele of the Ferst Foundation, Semilla Neal of Project Launch, Stefan Lawrence, MCSD Teacher of the Year and Dr. Jake Golden, MCSD educator. Kenneth Braswell of Fathers Incorporated also participated in the panel discussion.