Supplies for GOOD+ Fatherhood Initiative

Did you know that today is “Dads Take Their Child to School” Day?  Baby Buggy has been investing in high-quality fatherhood programs since 2010 because we know just how important father involvement is for children…particularly when it comes to education. In fact, research shows that when dads are more actively involved in a child’s education, they show sizable improvements in their academic performance and stay in school longer.  Dads (and other male caregivers) in our partner programs are proudly taking their children to Early Head Start programs, Head Start programs, and primary schools all over New York today.  And, they are bringing the backpacks, school supplies, books, educational toys, and clothing they received from Baby Buggy!  Together, we are sending a very clear message that both moms AND dads care about their children’s education--we know that education is the best way to help break the cycle of poverty facing so many of the families we serve.

Jerome, a single father who participates in Baby Buggy’s Bronx Fatherhood program, will be taking his two sons to school today…just as he does every other school day. The mother of his children struggles with serious substance abuse issues and was not capable of caring for her children, which is how Jerome gained full custody of his children. He works all night as a security guard, but stays up to take his boys to school each morning.  He also cooks them dinner each night and picks them up from school before he leaves for work again in the evening.  Jerome is able to get some help from his family to watch the boys after he leaves for work, but he is really raising the boys entirely on his own. 

This is where the Baby Buggy and the Bronx Fatherhood program have come in to help make his efforts as a dad just a little bit easier.  Through group meetings with other dads, Jerome can share his challenges and joys as a single dad while receiving advice and encouragement from peers and parenting experts.  He has also received clothes, toys, books, and other school supplies for his children from Baby Buggy, which has helped enormously, as his salary as a security guard really only allows him to cover the very basics for his boys.  With Baby Buggy’s support, he has saved enough money to open a small savings account for his boys.  Jerome also said that the donations of school supplies and backpacks help him show his children just how much he values their education, “I want my boys to take school very seriously and to achieve much more than I have in my life.”  We think Jerome has already achieved quite a lot--as an incredible father to his two sons!

Links:

• Click here for more info on how Baby Buggy supports dads