Words by Erin Shockey | Photo by Al Blanton

For every father who walks through the door of Jasper Area Family Services Center’s Fatherhood Initiative, it is a step in the right direction. Where many may see little hope, JAFSC sees an opportunity to restore hope, provide support, and empower fathers to be the best they can be. 

The National Fatherhood Initiative is the nation's leading non-profit organization working to end father absence since 1994. JAFSC has served Walker County through the Initiative for over 20 years. Taylor Harten, who became the center’s Initiatives Coordinator earlier this year, brings a unique perspective to the initiative and the social issues surrounding fatherhood in America. 

“There are many counties in the state that do not have the Fatherhood Initiative or any fatherhood program,” Harten says. “Dads are a very underserved population.”

One of the most crucial aspects of the Initiative’s success is its facilitators. During weekly program meetings, Taylor is joined by one of nine Fatherhood Initiative facilitators on staff. 

“In this program, the facilitators and I have the opportunity to walk alongside participating fathers from the beginning of the program to the end,” Harten explains. “As a group, we get to overcome obstacles together and be what we call ‘life cheerleaders’ for these fathers.”

The facilitators’ role is that of a teacher. Once a week for 12 weeks, facilitators meet with a group of five to six participating fathers. The goal of meetings is to help fathers apply what they learn in class to their daily lives. 

“Our weekly meetings are very group-driven,” says Harten. “We always take time to discuss what we are learning as a group. When our group members help each other, they help themselves, too.”

Through this group setting, fathers build a support system. Meetings are a safe space to process life’s challenges and the material fathers are learning through the Initiative’s handbook. Many fathers graduate with much more than they had before coming into the program.  

“Fathers graduate the program with support and resources that they didn’t have before,” Harten says. “The support and knowledge JAFSC gives them makes all the difference in their confidence and ability to be the best dads they can be for their children and families.”

As the Fatherhood Initiative continues to thrive in Walker County, JAFSC is expanding it into Winston County. Taylor and the JAFSC team will continue to set goals for expansion in hopes that their efforts will empower fathers in Walker County and beyond.

If you’d like more information about this program, please contact Fatherhood Initiative Coordinator Taylor Harten at tharten.jafsc@gmail.com or through the center at (205) 302-0801.