LLF Receives Grant for Fatherhood Initiative

LLF was recently awarded a grant by the Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, to fund its Fayette County Fatherhood Initiative.

The grant provides for three components: Responsible Fatherhood, Healthy Marriage, and Employment Training.  All of these will occur within the context of partnership with local congregations and other community agencies.

Responsible Fatherhood – A curriculum called “24/7 Dads” has been selected and will be offered by six partner sites/congregations to at-risk men.  The study focuses on the characteristics men need to be good fathers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Partners already committed include Hill ‘n Dale Christian Church, Iglesia Nueva Vida, and Assurance Care Center.

Healthy Marriage – Another small group study will focus on marriage enrichment for at-risk couples, “10 Great Dates to Energize Your Marriage” has been selected as the initial curriculum.  The grant will also provide for individual or couple counseling if needed, in partnership with local service providers.

Employment Training – Through a partnership with Jubilee Jobs, specialized training will be given to enrolled fathers in need of help to secure or maintain steady employment.

“This is a natural outgrowth of our work with at-risk children and youth,” according to Eric Geary, CEO.  “We have seen a great need among the kids in our programs for fatherhood support and training in our community.”

David Cozart has been named Program Director.  He has worked at the grass-roots level encouraging responsible fatherhood for several years in Lexington.  “I firmly believe that most of, if not all the challenges we seek to address in families, communities and congregations can be dramatically impacted through this initiative.  There are countless fathers and men with untapped or underutilized gifts and resources.  This program seeks to restore, equip, and deploy these fathers in families, congregations and the community at-large.  I am VERY anxious and excited about what lies ahead.”

The grant is renewable for three years upon satisfactory progress and completion of renewal application.