Bridgeport Says 'Dads Matter Too!'

From the Department of Children and Families:

What: Bridgeport, several state and local agencies, including the CT Department of Children and Families.
The Dads Matter Too! Celebration Day will bring together state and local agencies, community providers and Dads from the Middletown region to share information and resources, partner with us, encourage and empower men to become better Dads, leading to better outcomes for children. The day will include entertainment, food, family friendly activities as well as important resource information that will be useful to families year round. There will be several activities taking place throughout the park.

When and Where: On September 17th, 2016, Bridegeport will host its first annual Dads Matter Too! Fatherhood Celebration Day at Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport (see attached flyer)

Why: The Dads Matter Too! Celebration Day is one of the many efforts we are making to support healthy relationships between fathers and their children. According to the US Census, nearly 25% of children live in father absent homes. The impact of this is felt in many ways. Studies consistently show that children who have a father present in their life are more likely to do well in school, demonstrate fewer behavioral challenges, are less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as substance abuse and criminal activity. The negative behaviors associated with children raised in homes in which a father figure is not present are too well known to those working in the criminal justice, educational and social work fields. The statistics consistently speak to the importance of father's being present in their children's lives as a way to promote healthy and more successful outcomes.

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