KENNY THOMAS

By Shelley Galbreath | Photo by Eva Tosco

Meet Kenny Thomas, Fatherhood Engagement Coordinator for Healthier Moms and Babies (HMB), an organization with the mission to reduce the infant and maternal mortality rate in our region by offering support services to pregnant mothers and their families. Thomas oversees the program that engages fathers.

When asked what he liked about his position, he said, “The best part of my job is that I learn every day from our great clients, coworkers, nurses, case managers, and the entire staff. They have all been so welcoming and helpful.” Thomas has worked for HMB eleven months, and during that time, he has engaged fathers with parenting skills, peer companionship, co-parenting techniques, and education on child development.

Thomas said he finds applying what he learns with his own child and with the fathers in the program very rewarding. “The fatherhood group that I host creates an atmosphere of familiarity and confidentiality, and the group allows fathers of all ages to meet and find out that they are not out here by themselves,” he said.

When asked who inspires him, Thomas said his daughter, Kora, tops the list. “She may be my newest and freshest accomplishment, but she is truly the best aspect of it. She was a little impatient and decided to bless the world almost three months early, weighing just 1 pound 3 ounces and was in the NICU at PRMC and Riley Children’s Hospital for 172 days,” Thomas said. “There were many challenges from the fear of the unknown to trying to continue to work and provide while she was in the hospital, but our friend group and families, and our primary nurse at PRMC were very helpful.”

Thomas was born and raised on the south side of Fort Wayne. He attended undergrad at Sienna Heights University in Adrian, Michigan, where he played football and was part of several clubs on campus. He came back to the Fort Wayne area after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

When it comes to favorites, Thomas said his favorite food is chicken of any manner, but fried wings top the list. “My favorite movie has to be any Marvel movie or Remember the Titans; my favorite season is fall because you can wear any type of clothing on any given day; and my favorite vacation spot is Detroit, Michigan during the fall,” Thomas said. “My hobbies include, but are definitely not limited to, playing golf, playing slow pitch softball, battle rapping, and watching sports.”

Volunteering is second nature to Thomas. He is currently a youth basketball coach at Fort Wayne Turners, a counselor and board member for Camp Watcha Wanna Do, a mentor with Fort Wayne United Tie Day program, and a volunteer with CREW LIFE/Raphael Davis basketball camps and activities.

“As a youth, I had a strained relationship with my father. While it is way better now, I still use that trauma to be a better father every day for my daughter. I truly believe the trauma in my life has led me to where I am,” he said.

Thomas believes being a good human being is not hard, which is why he lives his life in a very intentional manner, according to his own set of sayings (mantras) that include: trauma shapes us not harms us; adjust with poise; and smile more. a