Father and Child Resource Center
Tonight one child in three will go to bed in a home with no father present. A divorce rate of 50% and an unwed birth rate which has soared to 45% over the last 30 years have resulted in a fatherhood crisis. Yet only in the last few years have we become conscious of the disastrous contribution that father absence makes to the social ills of our community.
In the physical or emotional absence of a father, children are:
- Twice as likely to be involved in crime
- 77% more at risk of physical abuse
- Five times more likely to live in poverty
- Twice as likely to abuse drugs or alcohol
- Twice as likely to become pregnant as teenagers
Children with involved fathers display:
- Better cognitive outcomes even as infants
- Higher self-esteem and less depression as teenagers
- Higher grades, test scores, and overall academic achievement
- Lower levels of drug and alcohol use
- Higher levels of empathy and other pro-social behavior
The mission of the Father and Child Resource Center is to enable the children of our community to enjoy healthy growth and development through the emotional, physical, moral, and financial support of their fathers.
Center activities are focused on five major areas:
Father Education
- Participation in childbirth education at Martin Memorial Hospital
- Fatherhood Classes at the Martin County Jail
Strengthening Families
- Promotion of Paternity Acknowledgement for unwed Fathers
- Monthly family law forums to address issues separating fathers from children
Individual Counseling for Fathers
- One on One counseling
- Group session counseling
- Home Visits
Positive Role Modeling
- Public awareness and special events to highlight responsibly fatherhood
- Take Your Dad To School Day
Teen Prevention
- Responsible Parenting Education for all youth in Martin County
