The third Sunday in June is always a special day for dads.
But, June 4, proved to be extra special for five Queens dads who graduated from the Visiting Nurse Service of New York’s (VNSNY) Fathers First Program.
“We concentrate on speaking to the ‘new era father,’” said Jomael Young, who runs the Fathers First Program. “That consists of a man that is not only willing to do those gender prescribed roles as far as making money and providing for the family financially, but also doing things like the laundry, changing the children’s diaper or doing things that are outside the males gender roles.”
The VNSNY started the Fathers First Program in Rockaway in 1997 to help fathers who wanted to be involved in their children’s lives. The program, which includes weekly meetings in Rockaway, gives the fathers advice on how to be a better parent and spouse and teaches them how to communicate better with their children and partner.
In addition, the program provides other services including referrals to health and mental health care, couples counseling, anger management as well as mentorship programs and assistance with finding work.
Rockaway resident Max Daguizan, 30, started going to the Fathers First Program nearly 10 years ago when he thought he was the father of a child. Daguizan later learned that he was not the father of that child, but he continued to attend the classes because they were making a positive difference in his life.
“It helped out a lot,” said Daguizan, who still attends weekly classes to learn about how he can be a better father to his 17 month old son Lomax. “Learning that I’m not alone in this world and that there’s other people going through similar situations quite like myself.”
Young said that one father who graduated the program on June 4, had his daughter taken away from him by the Administration for Children’s Services when she was only a few months old. However, the father enrolled in the Father’s First Program and after going through the classes and discussions to get his life back on track, he has reconciled with his child’s mother and is expected to get his daughter back this week.
“To see how far he came, not only graduating, but being able to get his daughter back, I was elated to see that and to know that was happening,” Young said.
