Testimonials
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Oneida Tribe of Indians - Follow up AAPI to a former enrolled father
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Daddy's Promise - by Robert Simmons, NFP Facilitator Father Accountability Program - Buncomb Correctional Facility - Asheville, NC
#1 Greetings from the Western Region of the North Carolina Department of Correction. 10/18/06
I received the information in regards to the training in Florida. It sounds wonderful....but I will be unable to attended. I thought I would send you a note and share where we are with our program.
As you know you came to Lenoir, North Carolina in January of
2006 for 2 days to conduct training. Since that time we have implemented this
program at 12 minimum custody facilities in the Western Region of North
Carolina. This program is funded through a grant awarded by the Governor's Crime
Commission. The Father Accountability Program uses the Nurturing Father's
Program as the approved curriculum. We are into the second program cycle since
implementation. The response has been great from the inmate participates. Here
are some testimonies from the inmate participants:
1- "This program really helped me to have a better understanding and meaning of
what a father is suppose to do to manage and be involved in his children's
life."
2- "I feel that it is a very positive program and very helpful for those who did not have father's in their lives to teach us how to become nurturing, loving, accountable father's to our children."
3- " I learned a lot on how to be a better husband as well as a better and more productive Father."
4- " It makes you look at life different. If you are a father,
uncle or brother to any young child. It helps in all your relationships."
5- " The class was great and helped me to understand the way a father should be
and what a father should do for his child and family."
6- "The program taught me how to talk to my kids without hollering all the time. I now know that spending time with my kids develops a better relationship."
7- " I believe anyone with children could benefit from this program. It definitely has merit! I am glad I got to participate."
8- " It helped me to realize that even though I'm in prison I
can still make a positive impact on my daughters life. I can't change or take
back the mistakes I've made and I can't get back all the years I spent in here
(PRISON) away from her....but I can start right now and continue for the rest of
my life being the best Dad I possibly can.
This class gave me a lot of hope and new found faith in myself as a father.
THANK YOU!"
9- "It's a good program. A lot of guys come from dysfunctional homes and relationships. They need to be exposed to some normal values and ways to resolve conflict. I like the fact that a lot of guys opened up and shared about their experiences."
10- " This program has helped me to see areas where I needed to
improve my relationship with my children. I liked the way it emphasizes the
importance of showing your children love regardless of the circumstances. It is
a great program and has already helped me in my relationship with my children."
These testimonies are powerful stuff! The North Carolina Department of
Corrections' goals and objectives are to address successful re-entry,
recidivism, improve family relationships of the offenders and reduce criminal
activity and juvenile delinquency by offenders children.
Statistics speak loud, as research shows that children of offenders are more
likely to become involved in the judicial system. We all know that part of our
problem in society is poor parental supervision and control. The tools in the
Nurturing Father's curriculum transitions back into society with the offenders.
Anything we can do to educate offenders and aide in their rehabilitation is a
step in the right direction. The Nurturing Father's Program curriculum is the
tool of choice for the North Carolina Department of Correction. We currently
have 48 staff and Volunteers trained to facilitate this program. Thanks for the
insight to develop such a powerful tool that can be used not only by the general
public but also by agencies and organizations that deal with special populations
of men. As stated in The Nurturing Father's curriculum "parenting is a learned
behavior." Here's to knowledge! It is powerful. May we continue to forge into
the future knowing we are doing what we can for the children of the world.
Fatherhood.... The toughest job you'll ever love!!
Best wishes,
Audrey Berry, Father Accountability Program Coordinator
North Carolina Department of Correction, Western Region
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#2
8/04 Nurturing Fathers Update
Mark,
I just wanted to fill you in on our success in Worcester County, Maryland with
Nurturing Fathers. We have found our niche, I have currently started a class of
Nurturing Fathers in our local Detention Center and It has taken off. We will be
offering three classes a year in the Detention Center with a maximum of 12 per
class, size restraint from our room location. We currently have a waiting list.
Of course being located in the jail I had to take out the Play group activity.
The subject matter hits home with each of my fathers and we have the best
discussions on stress and Anger management. They really look forward to the
class and kids are first in our discussions.
We also have classes for the general public, one story I would like to tell you
about was a father who was in Addictions counseling, Mental Health counseling,
and being serviced by social services. He had three daughters ages ranging from
9 to 12. The social service case worker had referred clients to me before, and
she thought this class won't hurt.
They were having trouble with him opening up and having a lot of anger. Once in
our class of Nurturing Fathers which I was having at the addictions center, He
began to open up with the other Fathers, and he was having great input to our
group which had seven fathers in it. He absolutely loved the program and about
ten weeks into it the social worker did a home visit and was totally shocked by
his attitude, he was talking about boundaries and positive self-talk and not
arguing around the girls. He had taken responsibility for his girls well-being
and was being involved.
To take it a step further we were able to get him to go to his basement when he
was feeling anger and punch his punching bag before handling the situation. He
made tremendous strides and at graduation his daughters all made him several
posters congratulated him on his graduation. It really feels good to be a part
of a program that makes young lives better and violent free by teaching the
parents a better way.
Talk to you later,
Dave Baker
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#3
NFP AT AIRWAY HEIGHTS CORRECTIONS CENTER
On 7/15/04 we graduated our first group of men from the NFP
at Airway Heights Correctional Center in Airway Heights WA. We started the group
with
14 and 13 of them graduated. I was the main facilitator for the group to get
them started on the first ever NFP given at this prison. I had three other
facilitators that Tim Snell and I had trained about a year ago. My presence was
sponsored by a non-profit group called Spiritual Corrections that had heard
about our work here at the Work Release and wanted to get the program going at
the prison. This was a first for the Washington State Department of Corrections
and the response of our class was tremendous. On graduation night we had the
full support of the Depart of Corrections and they allowed us to have visitors
(friends, family, and spouses of graduating
inmates) attend. The event I am happy to say was reported on three local
television stations newscasts representing ABC, CBS and Fox Networks.
Although Tim Snell has retired he was invited as a guest speaker at graduation
along with myself. The commitment statements to the families made by these
inmates were very powerful and I was so proud of my guys and the growth I saw in
them in the past 12 weeks. I realize you do not really care much for outcome
surveys but I am going to share with you anyway. I give the AAPI-2 pre group and
post group. The results of this class overwhelmed me.
As a group they increased in all five constructs 10 to 40 percent. One
individual that I had been concerned about had scored a 2 in corporal punishment
on the pre-test, this indicated a very pro physical punishment/ abuser. The post
test scoring for this individual was a 6, this man had raised his parenting
attitudes and behaviors regarding physical punishment a whopping 40 per cent in
just twelve weeks. He is now in the average area and is much less likely to use
corporal punishment. I always tell new facilitators that they can change the
world, it may be on a minute scale that others would never notice but it is
change and it is change for the better. I ask them to keep their past
evaluations and when they are down and think they aren't reaching someone in the
class to re-read those evaluations because your program does make a difference
in the men it serves and the evaluations prove it. One of the inmates at Airway
Heights approached me seven different times during the graduation exercises and
thanked me, seven times! He was so grateful for this program and what it had
done for him, I honestly would not be surprised to see him facilitating this
program somewhere in the future. Mark, once again, thank you from the bottom of
my heart.
Jim Gants
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#4
Progress with nurturing fathers classes
Hello Mark,
Hope you remember me, Scottie Gilbert, from Hampton, VA. I work for Parents
Educating Parents as the Fatherhood Programs Coordinator and I attended your
consultant training back in Oct. of last year. I just wanted to give you an
up-date. I completed one class back in November and I just started another class
on the 14th of January. I should be finishing up my second class in the middle
of March. Both classes were conducted at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail.
We are currently using the journal for ten weeks of class and we also provide
the inmates with three Access Visits (on the third Saturday of each month during
the ten weeks). This is what makes our program so unique. After completing one
third of the program the guys are allowed to have a two hour visit with their
children (hands-on interaction) along with the children's mothers and the idea
here is to allow the fathers to apply some of the skills that they've learned
and discussed in class. After completing two thirds of the program they are
allowed another visit and then finally they graduate. The first access visit
allows the guys to get re-acquainted and touch their children - most of them
have only seen their kids through glass windows in the visiting booths), the
second access visit has a birthday theme in which the guys get a chance to
celebrate missed/upcoming birthdays with their children. The final access visit
is the grand finale' in which the guys celebrate graduating with families. I
thoroughly enjoy putting to use what I learned at the training. If you have any
questions regarding the program, don't hesitate to e-mail me or call.
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#5
Wanted to share...
Hi Mark,
While it's still fresh in my mind and heart I wanted to share with you the events of my evening. I attended the graduation ceremony of Suma's (Calvin Williams) Nurturing Father's Program in Cincinnati. Fourteen African-American men shared their testimonies and read their letters in the presence of their God, wives, children, parents, siblings, and friends. The impact that this program has made on them is life changing. Two had been homeless, many were drug and alcohol abusers, most were absent or neglectful fathers. They have found hope, a way, and light through the efforts of Calvin, his stall, and your program. This isn't a job, my dear friend, it's a ministry. I was moved to tears (sobs) and beyond. What a privilege we have been given to intervene in the lives of others. I am truly humbled and I just wanted to share it all with you. I hope this finds you well and going strong.
Gayle
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#6 A follow up AAPI to a former enrolled father...
Just a side note. I sent a follow up AAPI to a former enrolled father in the group. When I received his information back a few things caught my eye. In the year that it has been since our sessions he has increased his income and completed his high school HSED program. He has full custody of his two children and has a new job in the career field of his choice that he enjoys a great deal. I am truly glad that I have been able to be part of this tremendous work being done for the fathers today. Not in the past days or future days to come, just to help one dad at a time. It has been a blessing to me in my own growth as a fathers and a man, thank you.
Harold Hampton,
Sr.
Oneida Tribe of Indians
NFP Consultant/Trainer
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#7 Class at Orlando Bridge Transition Center
Men who have completed the 13-week Nurturing Father’s Program
are in a uniquely qualified position to comment on what this experience has
meant to them. There are hundreds NFP classes offered around the U.S. The
following are comments from ONE such class offered at Orlando Bridge Transition
Center (graduation 11/18/09):
“Wow! Awesome experience. The information from this program was life changing.”
Single father of 12 year old.
“It’s something I wish upon every father in the world…”
Single father of 19, 15 year olds.
“I have been involved in a great many programs but none of them touched me the
way Nurturing Fathers has. Thank you for this opportunity.”
“I wasn’t sure if I could do this program, but as painful as it was, it made me
grow and allow(ed) the 5 year old in me to begin to heal. I really love the
program; it made a difference in my life.”
Divorced father of 12, 11, 7 year olds.
“Every father should take this class.”
Single father of 4, 7, 9 year olds.
“I love this program and I feel that, as a father, this program is paramount in
terms of learning nurturing skills. Everything about this program was
beneficial.” Married father with 5 year old.
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