Fatherhood Initiative

As a community minded organization, REACH aspires to impact our neighbors in the area of building strong families.  One of the ways we will accomplish this is through advocating for fathers to be present and active in the lives of their children: we call this the “Fatherhood Initiative”.

The REACH Fatherhood Initiative is part of a national program of the same name which was established in 1994. This program was designed to address the tremendous challenge facing youths and families today when fathers are not engaged in the lives of their children.  This challenge is realized in practically every segment of our society.  Children raised without a father in the home:

• 4x more likely to be raised in poverty;
• 7x more likely to become pregnant as a teen;
• More likely to have behavioral problems;
• More likely to experience child abuse and neglect;
• 2x greater risk of infant mortality;
• More likely to abuse alcohol;
• More likely to go to prison;
• 2x more likely to be obese;
• More likely to commit a crime;
• 2x more likely to drop out of school.

Because of these alarming facts, our judicial system, educational institutions, penial installations, social welfare services, and child advocacy groups are overwhelmed, under staffed and inadequately funded.

Three years ago, Prince William County Department of Social Services launched their chapter of the Fatherhood Initiative Program.  REACH was one of the first private organizations to send representatives and today REACH has four (4) certified facilitators ready to serve in the capacity of mentoring, training and coaching estranged fathers to re-connect with their children.  Whether they have been court-ordered or volunteer on their own, REACH is prepared to assist in this much needed family strengthening endeavor.