ForeverDads honors graduates: ‘The roles of a father are never over’
A boy becomes fascinated with the back of the crowd seated on the ForeverDads’ lawn as the Executive Director of the Commission on Fatherhood, Kimberly Dent, speaks.
June 12, 2019
Tuesday evening, a group of men graduated from various programs hosted by ForeverDads and earned certificates symbolizing their dedication to their children’s lives.
“Being there is half the battle, what you do with your time with your children is what’s most important,” John Norris, a graduate of a ForeverDads’ program said upon accepting his certificate.
Fathers, children, family members and board members gathered in front of ForeverDads to listen to speakers and watch one another graduate during a short ceremony.
While many dads in attendance had completed their first course with ForeverDads, CEO and Executive Director Burl Lemon said many men return for more courses and to be encouraged by other fathers.
A few graduates explained that the organization offered more than skills focused on improving as men and becoming better fathers, it also provided a support system of fellow dads to lean on and surround themselves with.
Sharing his own story, the Director of Programs and Services at ForverDads, Nick Lyons, said over three years ago he set his pride aside and asked for help overcoming his addiction.
Tuesday evening, he announced he has been clean for three years, one month and 19 days.
Lyons congratulated the fathers gathered on the lawn and reminded them that, despite their departure from the courses, parenting children is a job that never ends.
“The roles of a father are never over, so continue to lead by example because your kids are always watching what daddy does,” Nick Lyons, Director of Programs and Services at ForeverDads, said.
Closing out the ceremony with a short word of encouragement and a prayer was a mentor with ForeverDads that said it isn’t difficult to become a parent, but being active in a child’s life is a different story.
“Anybody can father a child. It takes commitment to be a dad. Be the dad that you were created to be.” Conrad Hunsberger, an InStep Mentor with ForeverDads, said.
ForeverDads is located at 109 Madison St. in Zanesville and offers a variety of courses for new parents, fathers with blended families, as well as others. To learn more about ForeverDads’ programs click here.
Joe • Jul 5, 2019 at 7:51 pm
This organization says they help fathers develop and or maintain relationships with the children in their lives…. I have been in my daughters life from day one, her first breath changed my life forever considering I was a 3 time convicted felon with a heroin habit of up to a gram at a time…. my daughter was unfortunately born to two addicts & the mother of my daughter wasn’t ready to leave the drugs alone, her mental health and her substance abuse were cause for concern, as the father I was not in question at all. My daughter was taken into custody, nobody had to tell me appearently even though she’s only two years old, there was a hearing for her custody held and I was never even notified! Long story short I’ve successfully tapered myself off of government grade heroin, I have slowly been making my way up the ladder at my work recently becoming a “key holder”, I’m looking into bringing SMART RECOVERY to Muskingum county, but my daughter had been held hostage from me for almost six months now, I’ve met the ransom demands that were given to me, & now she’s being kept from visits that THE AGENCY scheduled! I had my daughter 50% of the time as an inmate, court ordered, and somehow after I’m only allowed two days a week at 2 hours a day THREE visits in a row are “accidentally canceled” . I called forever dads for help, they “advocate for fathers” is what I was told and the truth is they haven’t done anything to help my daughter have her father in her life, I asked for help for HER not myself and they were able to write me off….
Maybe because funding stopped for me when I graduated maybe it’s because they are afraid of the these “kidnappers” but either way, whatever reason they have, they are full of air and just look good.