Anne Malinoski
Being Dad
Great groups that support fatherhood
Men deserve community and support as they navigate parenthood. There are a number of local dad groups that encourage positive parent-child relationships and help men feel less alone as they experience the challenges and joys of fatherhood. A great group can provide new parenting techniques or an opportunity to mentor others. Take a look at San Diego’s best support organizations for fathers.
to bond with a trusted man. Joash Sollenberger has served as a mentor for more than 10 years. When his wife passed away last year, he enrolled their son in a group for extra support. “This program digs deep into the hearts of these young men and leaves a lifelong impression on everyone involved,” Sollenberger says. Visit www.boystomen.org to learn more about volunteering.
director at SAY San Diego. The program utilizes the 24/7 Dad curriculum provided by the National Fatherhood Initiative. Dinner and childcare are provided. Visit www.saysandiego .org/program/healthy-start-militaryfamilyresource-center/dads-corps for more information or call 858-810-8259 to find a workshop near you.
Boys to Men Mentoring
SAY San Diego Dads Corps
Boys to Men Mentoring builds connection and trust between at-risk teens and male role models. Groups meet weekly at more than 30 middle and high schools throughout the county, where trained mentors demonstrate what it means to be a good man by discussing the challenges they’ve faced. The organization also hosts bimonthly social outings like fishing trips, campouts and football games. Mentors help the boys feel safe and respected, so they can share their struggles openly with the community. For many teen participants, it is their first opportunity
The San Diego Chapter of Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) offers a free six-week workshop series for fathers, bringing together men from both the civilian and military communities. Dads connect with fellow dads to discuss healthy relationships, child development and stress management. Special topics include positive coparenting and economic stability. “Dads Corps engages fathers and children to build healthier family relationships and thrive as stronger parents, partners and providers,” says Daniel Romero, senior program
POPS was originally founded as an advocacy organization supporting men’s parental rights. The group now supports mothers as well. POPS can help build step-by-step reunification plans for families struggling with custody agreements. They provide counseling and legal clinics to prepare parents for family court, while simultaneously working to grow their clients’ parenting skills. Classes are offered on a range of topics from successful co-parenting to conflict resolution. POPS is also a professional provider for court-ordered supervised visitation. Learn more at www.sandiegopops.org.
18 • SanDiegofamily.com • June 2019
Paternal Opportunities, Programs & Services (POPS)
