Fathers Inc seeks help

Paul H. Williams, Gleaner Writer

In February 1991, Dr Barry Chevannes chaired a workshop called Fathers Only. The participants were invited to meet and continue the dialogue. They did so two months later, adopting the name Fathers Only. The name was changed to Fathers Incorporated (Fathers Inc) two years on "out of a realisation that many spouses and women could be and were involved as supporters and associates".

The group says, "Fathers Inc was formed against a background of stereotypes that characterise men as irresponsible sires of children, derelicts of their spousal and parental responsibilities, and generally more harmful than beneficial to their families." At the same time, the organisation noted that changes were already afoot which affected the traditional role expectations of fatherhood, changes that they themselves were a part of, in particular, the need to play more nurturing and supportive domestic roles. These considerations were formulated in the organisation's objectives which include "projecting a positive image of fatherhood and, in doing so, help men become better fathers."

Throughout the 17 years of its existence, Fathers Inc has been engaged in a number of activities to assist Jamaican fathers and to alleviate their problems. In 2001, it received the Press Association of Jamaica's National Press Award in recognition of its efforts to change the face of parenting in Jamaica. Currently, it is em-barking upon the construction of its fathers resource centre "to be able to increase our contribution to the Jamaican society".

"As an anthropologist of social violence, I am certain from immense research that much of our murders are the result of missing fathers. In the last three years, I have dealt with six cases through the counselling we offer, and this reinforces the fact that many crisis families can be helped. Due to this demand, we are now opening the fathers resource centre on Wednesday, June 16," Dr Herbert Gayle, chairman of Fathers Inc, said.

The group is seeking public and corporate support for its series of activities promoting good fathers, starting this Sunday, and for the construction of the resource centre "to continue this vision of a home with a mother and a father, or at least one in which both are contributing positively".

paul.williams@gleanerjm.com

Give a helping hand

Everybody is invited to assist or contribute in one or more of the following ways:

Set up a booth or attend the Male Wellness Fair on Sunday at Carter Hall, Holy Cross Church, 77 Half-Way Tree Road, at 2 p.m.

Owner's contribution of $10,000 from each booth to facilitate the setting up of the fathers resource centre;

A direct contribution to the setting up of the resource centre, which will be launched next Wednesday at 6 p.m. at 4 Ellesmere Road, St Andrew.

Persons may also:

Contribute to the Model Father of the Year competition and/or attend the award function on next Wednesday at 4 Ellesmere Road;

Attend the 'A Blessing for Fathers Concert' at King's House on Father's Day, June 20. Part proceeds are to help launch the resource centre;

Or sponsor the events by way of advertisement. This year's theme is 'The Role of Fathers in Reducing Violence'.

Fathers Inc may be contacted at fathersinc@mail.com or hsgayle@yahoo.com.