Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative set for Oct. 8-9. | Unsplash
Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative set for Oct. 8-9. | Unsplash
The annual Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative is scheduled for Oct. 8-9. The two-day summit is aimed at giving men teaching tools and information so they can be a positive role model for their children.
Since first held in 2006, the initiative has helped more than 12,000 men in Milwaukee become better fathers.
The Milwaukee Department of Administration tweeted about the program.
“SAVE THE DATE! Learn more and register today for Milwaukee Fatherhood Summit on Oct. 8-9. The purpose of this event is to bring men, fathers and future fathers together to identify solutions and resources that provide positive support in their role," the department said.
The first Fatherhood initiative hosted by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett drew more than 1,200 men. Now it’s the largest gathering of men in Wisconsin. They participate in workshops, training sessions and other resources to help men meet social, emotional and financial needs for themselves and their families. The services include child support debt relief, driver’s license recovery, employment, education, health and more. According to the City of Milwaukee, 95% of those who have attended the program are males of color.
“It’s a very practical approach because we help them do things like getting their driver’s license back,” Mayor Barrett said. “If there are issues with child support, try to help them with health care, get them job training.”
Fatherless households are a continuing problem in minority communities. In 2019, 47.9% of Milwaukee households with children were single-parent households.
The 2020 census indicates 80% of single-parent families are headed by women.
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