On Oct. 25, the Healthy Start Coalition of Osceola held it T.E.A.M Dad graduation at the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce.
T.E.A.M. (Teaches, Empowers, Advocates for, and Mentors) Dads help men to fulfill their potential and become the fathers their children need them to be. While many new fathers struggle to figure out their role when their wife or partner has a baby. T.E.A.M. Dad offers education, training, and support to help men become responsible, engaged, and empowered fathers.
The graduation event was attended by TEAM Dad Coordinators Juan Rivera Anaya and Ray Roman, Director Keri Stephen, and Pastor Alfonso Galiano.
“Fatherhood doesn’t start when your baby is born,” Anaya said. “It starts when you start implementing fatherhood, and what it means to be a father.”
This event was held for a group of fathers who have completed the 12 sessions of the 24/7 Dad program. This is a unique program designed to equip fathers with the selfawareness, compassion, and sense of responsibility needed that every good parent needs. Fathers and father-figures with a child three years or younger can receive education, training, and support on fatherhood, including parenting and coparenting, improving child development, building healthy family and community relationships, and much more.
“I’m super proud of you all, because you made the choice of enrolling in the program and completing the program.” Anaya told the group. “It takes a lot to commit.”
This an achievement the Coalition looks forwards to celebrating. Each father who has completed the program has done so with the goal to become the best father they can be and recognizing the important role they plan in the outcome of their child’s life. Children who grow up with involved fathers experience better mental, emotional, educational, and social outcomes.
”From prior histories from how I grew, as a new father there were things I didn’t know and didn’t want to repeat, “ Brandon Sullivan, TEAM Dad graduate, said. “I wanted to learn how to better not only for myself, but for my family, and my son.”
Each father was able to discuss the changes that this program has made to them and the impact it’s had on their families. One father, Irwin Bell discussed how much better he’s gotten at handling time management and scheduling, while another discussed how he’d gotten better at taking an active approach in his child’s life and development and being more involved.
During the graduation, they had a special guest speaker, Pastor Alfonso Galiano who talked about his past and his struggles growing up as well as the changes he decided to make in order to become the father for his three children that he always wanted. Being present in his children’s lives, guiding them no matter the paths they took, and always showing and teaching them love and compassion, were among the many things he decided to do in his role as a father. Galiano was also acknowledged by the TEAM Dad program for the work he’s done.
“Ask for help, talk about parenting, be a role model, a teacher, eat together, read to your children and show affection,” Galiano explained. “A father’s role is never done.”
On Friday, Nov. 8, T.E.A.M Dad will collaborate with the Osceola Magic during their first home game against Austin Spurs. A portion of the proceeds from tickets purchases will benefit the T.E.A.M Dad program. More information can be found at www.healthystartosceola.org.
