Meet Christopher, a father who once had trouble keeping his life together, now helping other fathers overcome their weaknesses:
“When I came to Family Connections, I hadn’t had a job in 2 years. I had no driver’s license. I had family problems, anger issues, substance abuse issues. And most of all, I wasn’t taking care of my kids.”
“In the Strong Fathers program, I learned about my weaknesses – no motivation, never getting things done. They taught me about setting goals and I found I could set goals and do things one by one. I started getting things done and it made me feel good about myself.”
“Before, I didn’t want other people to tell me what to do. But my counselor made me believe I could change. He’s my inspiration. He helped me with my anger, so now I catch myself before it happens. I let things slide off my back.”
“He also connected me to a job. And most of all, he taught me patience with my children.”
“I’ve been clean for a year now. I got my license, got a job, got a car. And I got joint custody of my children. I have confidence in myself now.”
“I had to do it for my children. They’re my motivation and my strength. I’ve graduated from Strong Fathers but I still go in to help the other men. I get support and direction and structure. Every time I go there, I learn something.”
“People say I’m a role model now. But I don’t see myself as a role model. I’m just a man, trying to take care of his kids.”
The Strong Fathers program by Family Connections is a substance abuse treatment and parenting skills training. The organization is one of the 11 partner agencies of the Holiday Fund. Your donation makes life change possible. Help more fathers like Christopher turn lives around. Go to holidayfund.org to learn more.
Story taken from the Family Connections website.