40+ fathers to graduate from Good Dads’ responsible fatherhood program

Good Dads, Missouri’s leading father-focused nonprofit, anticipates nearly four-dozen fathers to attend a formal graduation ceremony next month honoring their accomplishments. The graduation, hosted annually by Good Dads, celebrates the achievement and commitment of New Pathways for Good Dads participants as they work to be more involved in the lives of their children.
The ceremony is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4, in the sanctuary of the Downtown Church on the corner of Walnut and Jefferson streets.
The New Pathways for Good Dads (NPGD) program is designed to inspire, resource and encourage dads to be more engaged in the lives of their children. Many program participants have a history of incarceration or addiction. Most face persistent poverty and challenges to paying child support. It provides tools for fatherhood success and a roadmap out of crisis—regardless of one’s past.
Completing program requirements is no small feat: To be eligible to graduate, dads must complete six months of Good Dads classes on parenting and relationship education, gain employment, make regular child support payments or otherwise contribute to the wellbeing of their children to the extent that they are able.
At last year’s ceremony, Good Dads honored 24 exceptional men. More than 150 guests—family, friends and other fatherhood advocates—celebrated alongside them.
“People may have given up on you; you may have been tempted to give up on yourself—but you didn’t,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Baker, founder and director of Good Dads, addressing the graduates at last year’s ceremony. “You’re here, and that means you’re winning … You are becoming the dad that your children need (and) the man your future depends upon.”
While Good Dads is celebrating nearly four-dozen graduates this June, more than 80 fathers are eligible to graduate from NPGD. Other Good Dads communities, including chapters in Columbia, Rolla and McDonald County, have held or plan to hold their own graduation celebrations. This year and last year, Good Dads has served more than 700 fathers through New Pathways.
About Good Dads
Founded in 2015, Good Dads is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on inspiring, resourcing and encouraging fathers to be more involved in the lives of their children. Headquartered in Springfield, MO, Good Dads also has regional offices in Independence and Columbia. It reaches thousands of fathers a year through a variety of programs, events and resources that empower them to be Good Dads.
Find out more about the New Pathways for Good Dads Program on the Good Dads website.