A new program is coming to Van Buren County for fathers to learn about how they can better prepare their children to make the right decisions growing up. Friend of the Court early intervention case manager Abel Munoz tells WSJM News 24/7 Dad seeks to promote more fatherly engagement in the lives of kids so they have the right disciplinary and moral foundations.
“The children of today are the future leaders of tomorrow, and we need to start at home, to start instilling the values and beliefs and morals that we hold true to ourselves,” Munoz said.
Munoz says he sees people come through the court system who would have made better choices if they’d had active involvement in their lives from both parents. He says many dads don’t even understand the importance of their own role.
“They just think by providing for them that that’s it. They’re providing a house, they’re providing food, they’re providing clothes. It’s not about just proving materialistic things. It’s about being there.”
24/7 Dad focuses on characteristics like responsibility, discipline, and work/family balance. Munoz says all fathers in the county are welcome to take part, and it is free. The sessions will be held in Paw Paw starting this Wednesday, September 4, and each will be two hours. You can find out more about the program right here.
