Free fatherhood summit

Buckner Southeast Texas is hosting a free workshop and training on fatherhood Friday, June 24, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at One City Church. The 2022 Fatherhood Effect Summit is presented by nonprofit Buckner as part of its program, Fatherhood EFFECT. The event will feature keynote speaker Joshua Banks, co-founder of the Mastering Manhood Conference.

“We believe that there is a high importance in the role a father plays in the life of his children,” said Jada Kamp, the Buckner fatherhood support coordinator. “It is our hope to effectively support and engage dads in Southeast Texas through a blend of the 24/7 Dad and Parents as Teachers curriculums. This year’s event welcomes dads from all over, and we look forward to inspiring stronger connections between fathers and their children.”

The objectives of the summit include demonstrating best practices for fatherhood engagement and retention; building bridges between fathers and service providers; and understanding the importance of responsible parenting, empathy and mindfulness. According to the National Fatherhood Initiative, children who grow up in a father-absent home are more likely to go to prison, seven times more likely to become pregnant, and two times more likely to drop out of school. Inversely, children who grow up with involved fathers are less likely to be mistreated, have behavioral problems, and are shown to perform better in school.

To register, call Kamp at (409) 730-5082. Registration will remain open until the start of the event.