Press Room > Seedco Stories from the Field
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Fathers Gather for Seedco’s First Fatherhood Initiative Job Fair
March 14, 2008
After prepping his resume for three days and arriving almost five hours early in anticipation, Heyward McDaniel, Jr. excitedly entered the first job fair sponsored by Seedco’s Fatherhood Initiative at the Workforce1 Career Center in Harlem, NY.
“We need the Fatherhood Initiative, because a job at McDonald’s will not support a family,” McDaniel said.
As a licensed carpenter and father of two, McDaniel has a similar background as many of the almost 50 participants of the Fatherhood Initiative who gathered for the job fair.
“It is not easy getting a good job,” McDaniel said. “There was no health insurance at the job I had before, and it wasn’t steady. I want to be productive. The (Fatherhood Initiative) helps you stay straight.”
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Heyward McDaniel, Jr. speaks to employers at the Fatherhood Initiative job fair.
Photo by Karl Crutchfield
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With the goal of meeting their financial obligations to their children, the Fatherhood Initiative job fair was initiated as a more interactive way for participants to experience the job search. Participants met with seven employers from various sectors.
In addition to job placement, participants receive job readiness and skills training to prepare them for meeting employers like at the job fair. Participants also receive case management, parenting training, legal assistance, financial counseling, access to work supports and child support order payment incentives. |
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Services are provided at the Seedco-managed Workforce1 Career Center, Citizens Advice Bureau, Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation and St. Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corporation. In addition, Bronx Defenders, Credit Where Credit is Due and the Center for Employment Opportunity provide specialized services.
Started in 2006, the Fatherhood Initiative was created through funding from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Strengthening Families through Stronger Fathers Initiative. The program's goal is to provide non-custodial fathers with the services they need to enter the workforce and meet their financial obligations.
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Click here for more information about the Fatherhood Initiative.
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Photos by Karl Crutchfield
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Fathers spend quality time with kids at FI's first bowling event
March 22, 2008
Fathers and their children gathered at Harlem Lanes in New York, for the Fatherhood Initiative's first family bowling event.
Click here to view photos of the event.
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