The Fatherhood Project
THE FATHERHOOD PROJECT is a not for profit, independent organisation, dedicated to valuing the experience of fatherhood and building positive community, through enriching the lives of children, fathers and their families. Our aim is for every father to be actively and lovingly engaged in their children’s lives. It is about supporting healthy, relationships between men, women and children and creating positive outcomes for families.
How do we value fathers:-
THE FATHERHOOD FESTIVAL is a community event. It is a unique, three day festival, where we share stories, question our understanding of a fathers’ role and celebrate being or having a father, with our family. The world’s first fatherhood festival was held in Bangalow, NSW on Fathers’ Day weekend, 2004 and was hosted by Andrew Denton.
The festival includes, professionals seminars, contemporary music events, talks, comedy, health checks, family fitness, free kids rides and much more. There are now, annual Festivals inspired by the Bangalow model from NSW to W.A. and we envisage festivals in every state of Australia, where fathers and families can gain insight, feel renewed, have fun and create stronger community links. Artists that have performed include, John Butler, Pete Murray, Jimmy Barnes, Lior, Archie Roach, Jimmy Little, Kev Carmody, Brian Cadd, Will Anderson and many more
We have developed a range of programs including expectant and new fathers. These are run by skilled facilitators and ‘mentors’, Dads that have recently had a new baby, come back and share their knowledge and wisdom, the training programs covers information topics including baby Safety, Team Parenting, Lifestyle Changes, Sex, Work Life Balance and more.
Our corporate and Workplace Programmes are increasingly in demand as employers understand that the secret to better staff retention is found in Fathers having an effective home and family life. A new initiative is our Dads and Kids play time, this is a weekend playgroup for Dads who work long hours through the week, or who have weekend custody of their children. The groups are about physical and outdoor play with kids in a ‘Dad friendly’ environment.
AWARENESS RAISING PRODUCTS, that nourish and inspire, including music CDs, Books, T-Shirts and DVDs. Products like the Fatherhood Music CD, is a doorway to open up our hearts and minds to motivate and create positive change. It is a great gift for men and women and especially expectant fathers. It is also a valuable resource for ante-natal classes and group work.
FATHERHOOD WEBSITE: Our aim for this website is to be a major portal for fathers to find information and the latest news, to network with other fathers for advice and set up ongoing conversations about what fathers need most. We aim for the site to be hooked directly to the Mensline advice centre and see it becoming a great resource for fathers and service providers looking for events, festivals and products.
The Fatherhood Project is a community based, not for profit association of volunteers and professionals that aims for every father to be actively and lovingly engaged in their children's lives.
We believe that we are facing the greatest social change since the Industrial Revolution and we are passionate about making a positive contribution to support men, women and children in creating a harmonious, joyful and meaningful family life.
THE PROBLEM
- According to the latest (Bureau of Statistics) report, over 50% of marriages and de facto relationships end in divorce or separation and the rate is increasing.
- One third of fathers do not have contact with their children. (ABS/AFI 2004) This impacts on child well being and safety. Men are reporting feeling isolated with a lack of support and confusion in their role.
- Children without actively engaged fathers are more likely to suffer abuse and neglect
- Separated fathers are more vulnerable to alcohol and substance abuse, loss of productivity in the work place and are thirteen times more likely to commit suicide than their partners. (Warren Farrel 2006)
WHAT WE DO
- The Fatherhood Project creates programs, events and resources to support father and child relationships. This in turn supports the mothers’ choice to care and earn equally.
- We have developed fathers programs to skill up New Dads and Dads in the Workplace
- We host events including train the trainer sessions on our ground breaking programmes.
- The Fatherhood Festival is a unique, 3 day event where thousands of families come to celebrate, question and share stories about fathers and family.
We are developing resources that support and inform fathers and families. We look forward to your support in contributing to create a brighter future for all of our children.
The Fatherhood Project Inc
Unit 9, 6-8 Burringbar St, Mullumbimby NSW 2482
Ph: 02 6684 2309
Email: info@fatherhood.com.au
