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Newark Now Programs:
Newark Comprehensive Center for Fathers
The Newark Comprehensive Center for Fathers (NCCF) is annually helping more than 100 fathers develop a stronger commitment to fatherhood, stronger parenting skills, and stronger employment skills. NCCF serves fathers in transition - men who have lost their jobs and homes, or who are re-entering the workforce following incarceration and who seek to assume greater responsibility for and contribute to the lives of their children. NCCF places many of its graduates in gainful employment. In addition, men served by NCCF recidivate at a remarkably low rate of 3%.
Using a holistic approach, NCCF offers fathers mentoring, parenting and life skills, legal assistance, help to improve math and reading skills, individual counseling, support groups, Father/Child activities, employment search and interview preparation services.
NCCF enables men to become better fathers, employees and citizens of Newark, and Essex County.
The services are available to fathers regardless of their custody status. Revolving classes start every 10 - 12 weeks.
Location
Essex County College
Main Campus
303 University Ave. Suite 4120
Newark, NJ 07102
Tel: 973-732-0713
Fax: 973-732-0714
For more information contact John Leslie or Abdul Muhammad.
FATHER'S NOW
The Fatherhood program serves men in transition after incarceration by reconnecting them back into their kid's lives. We promote family reunification and provide better parenting skills by teaching fathers their values as DADS.
Community Solutions
The Fatherhood program is proud to announce this month we have collaborated with our Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) under the direction of Mr. Jeremy Guenter to bring Financial literacy to class#18. On October 26, 2011 Mr. Guenter spent two hours with this class teaching them how to budget, save and plan for their future. During this month Fatherhood staff met with DYFS and Essex County Probation to collaborate on some projects regarding their clients being referred to fatherhood.
Closing out our Year with Class 18
The previous month was centered on orientating class#18 that had twenty-eight men and empowering them during class. During this month our fathers was orientated into the fatherhood program for two-weeks and several community service providers came in and spoke with them regarding their programs. After two-weeks into the program and special interviewing of each participant the fatherhood carefully selected 23 new members into the next six-weeks of instruction. Class #18 instruction begun on October 24, 2011.
A Personal Touch!
Mr. Latiem Welton from class#14 is our father of the month. After receiving clothing apparel from our Work-N-Style department Mr. Welton received employment with Whole Foods, Inc. We wish the best of luck to Mr. Welton on his new career.
Community Involvement!
Our top event for this month was on October 21, 2011 where the fatherhood staff spoke and met with over twenty probation officers at 60 Evergreen Place, in the City of East Orange. It went very well! The purpose of this event was for us to collaborate with Essex County probation for clients that are mandated to us by way of court orders and for all agencies to be on the same page. Probation was very excited and our staff did a wonderful job.
Fatherhood is very proud to announce that we will continue to collaborate with our community service providers and Government agencies to bring effective services to our fathers and their families. On October21, 2011 the fatherhood staff showed responsibility and professionalism to the team at probation.
A real community is people taking responsibilty for their own environments as we did collectively on October 21, 2011. We intend to empower our community one block at a time, one resident at a time and one heart at a time. Because many are giving up on their goals and dreams because community value systems are missing and it's incumbent upon us to bring unity back in the community. Our job as fathers is to become men, enact our roles, develop our minds and produce new ideas for our families, communities, and country. If fathers fail then society pays a heavy price! Many would say that absent fathers are the causes of youth delinquency but it's personal irresponsibility that contribute to the anti- behaviour of our youth and lack of positive male role models.
Our Targeted Population!
Fathers that want to find resources available to them and reconnect back into their kid's lives. Fathers are empowered through family reunification efforts by staff helping them to become more involved parents. I always impress upon the fathers how important it is for our kids to have a father and male role models so that they can become effective young people. Fathers get the encouragement they need here by understand that, parenting is about what's in the BEST-INTEREST of a child's well being. We at Fathers Now believe that without proper parental involvement effective parenting or reunification cannot take place and our DADS here understand this. We offer a different approach, outside of other social agencies, because at the end of the day that child needs both parents and no agency should minimize a mother or fathers rights.
Whats Next!
Fathers NOW intend to continue empowering fathers by getting them to first understand their lack of parenting, accepting their flaws and building upon their strengths by creating models of success they can follow along the path of their reconstruction. This will be done by the monthly and weekly activities. We empower DADS (DELTA ALPHA DELTA SIGMA). Any questions or visit us at: 303 University Ave Suite 4120 (Essex County College) Newark, NJ 07104 (973) 732-0713.
Fathers NOW FAQ
Who does Fathers NOW help?
The Newark Comprehensive Center for Fathers (NCCF) serves fathers in transition - men who have lost their jobs and homes, or who are re-entering the workforce following incarceration and who seek to assume greater responsibility for and contribute to the lives of their children
How did Fathers NOW begin?
Fathers NOW is a NewarkNOW initiative that began in 2008.
How is Fathers NOW funded?
Fathers NOW is funded through a combination of private and public dollars-mostly philanthropic grants and a combination of individual and institutional donors.
What are the principal activities of Fathers NOW?
Using a holistic approach, NCCF offers fathers mentoring, parenting and life skills, legal assistance, help to improve math and reading skills, individual counseling, support groups, Father/Child activities, employment search and interview preparation services. NCCF enables men to become better fathers, employees and citizens of Newark, and Essex County
How often do classes begin? When does enrollment start?
Services are available to fathers regardless of their custody status. Revolving classes start every 10 - 12 weeks.
How many have fathers have graduated from the program?
250 men are alumni of Fathers NOW
How successful is the program?
NCCF has successfully placed 70% of its graduates in gainful employment. In addition, men served by NCCF recidivate at a remarkably low rate of 3%.
What are the eligibility requirements?
You must be at 16 years old, a father of children under 18 years old, a resident of Newark or Essex County, and possess a high school diploma or GED. The last requirement is optional.
How does someone enroll?
Participating fathers generally hear about our program through a referral. To enroll, you simply fill out an application at our office during our regular hours, which are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where is Fathers NOW located?
The office of Fathers NOW is located on the campus of Essex County College. The address is below:
Essex County College
Main Campus
303 University Ave. Suite 4120
Newark, NJ 07102
Who would I contact for media inquires, speaking requests, or further information about Fathers NOW?
Contact Lavar Young at lyoung@newarknow.org
View Father's Now 2011 Graduation Photos
View Father's Walk 2010 Photo Gallery
View Photos from the First Fathers Now Retreat
