FATHER MATTERS, INC 2013 SERVICE REPORT Where We Make Good Fathers Better 1
ABOUT FATHER MATTERS OUR HISTORY Father Matters, Inc. was founded in 1997 by Vance Simms- a father who saw a tremendous need to support fathers and help build individual capacity one father at a time through strong, positive mentoring among fathers. Today, the agency is a leader in promoting growth in socially and economically deprived communities, providing a full continuum of services aimed at breaking the cycle of abuse and fatherless families; such services that are desperately sought out and limited. OUR FAMILY Father Matter s organizational structure is comprised of an Executive Director, 2 full-time staff, 2 part-time staff and approximately 60 volunteers who have supported our work in the last year. Services are available to our clients in English and Spanish. OUR GOALS Father Matter s is driven by the principal that nothing is more fundamental to a community than the safety and wellbeing of its children. Our goal is to build stronger, healthier communities by supporting, encouraging and enlightening today s fathers and families. 2
OUR MISSION Our mission is to provide the tools necessary to empower men and their families to improve their lives and community well-being. We provide life changing parenting classes, workshops, support groups, a mentoring program, life line phone program and staff development trainings on father involvement to other agencies. Much of our work is done collaboratively with other community and governmental agencies to ensure holistic care and support for the fathers and their families. Today, the agency is a leader in family welfare, providing in-office, incommunity, in-school support to educate and support fathers and strengthen families. Our vision is to see men become more effective, more active and more involved in their role as fathers with their children. Through the provision of evidence-based, dignified and confidential services provided by well-trained and committed staff, we work to break the cycle of abuse and fatherless homes. Our values are to keep families together, where appropriate, and strengthen loving ties to the family and the community. 3
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA The following information provides outcome and demographic data over the 2013 calendar year. Geographical Area Location Served by Boundry Data West Phoenix, 6.7% Other, 6.1% South Phoenix, 15.5% Central Phoenix, 41.0% Maryvale, 12.7% Laveen, 4.5% Glendale, 5.1% Central Phoenix Glendale Laveen Maryvale South Phoenix West Phoenix Other Location is everything. Knowing the communities that we support can make it easier to bring specialized services to the people that need it the most, as well as decrease a significant and often cited barrier for families-transportation. The data above shows that majority of our clients served reside in the Central Phoenix, South Phoenix and the Maryvale neighborhoods. 4
Race and Ethnicity 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Hispanic Asian African American Native American Indian Caucasian Other 41% of our families served were Hispanic. 90% of the clients that we served spoke and understood English. Spanish, 9% Language Other, 2% English, 90% English Spanish Other 5
Genders Served 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Father Matters is about assisting fathers, however this year we have expanded services to help women as well. Although many services exist for women, Father Matters staff received feedback often from fathers receiving services requesting wrap around care and services for the whole family. Age Groups Females Males 250 200 150 100 50 0 (12-17 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75 and older) 6
Education Master's Degree, 4% Doctoral Degree, 0% Bachelor's Degree, 9% Associates Degree, 5% Some High School, 24% Some College, 16% High School Diploma, 14% Technical or Trade Certification, 5% GED, 22% Some High School High School Diploma GED Technical or Trade Certification Some College Associates Degree Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree Doctoral Degree Housing Status Halfway House, 31% Rent, 30% Homeless, 7% Living in Shelter, 7% Living with Friends, 15% Own, 10% Rent Own Living with Friends Living in Shelter Homeless Halfway House 7
Household Income 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 $0 Under $5,000 $5000-$10000 $10000-$20000 $20000-$45000 Over $45000 Source of Income 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 No Income Employment Self- Employment Disability Support from Others Umemployment Other Government Assistance 8
Parenting Status Pregnant, 4% Other Family Structure, 3% Single Parent, 22% Custodial Parent, 22% Mother/Father Joint, 25% Non-Custodial Parent, 24% Custodial Parent Non-Custodial Parent Mother/Father Joint Single Parent Pregnant Other Family Structure Families with Children 290 285 280 275 270 265 260 255 250 245 240 Children 5 and under Children 6 and over 9
Household Composition Widowed, 2% Divorced, 12% Domestic Partnership, 8% Legally Separated, 4% Single, 53% Married, 21% Divorced Domestic Partnership Legally Separated Married Single Widowed 10
Father Matters has made such a huge impact this year alone. 1,304 fathers, families and agencies received services in 2013 PROGRAMS Parent Education Program 178 clients served in 2013 Father Matters Parent Education Program has been in operation since 1997 and to date has served over 5,400 families. We offer our Fathers Mentoring Fathers workshop, Mother 2 Mother workshop, Crossroads for Teens and Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families and Communities Parenting classes. Our partnerships in the community have led to great referrals from agencies like Family Court, CPS, DES Child Support Services. The workshops is designed to promote positive parent-child interaction and healthy childhood growth and development, thereby preventing the occurrence or reoccurrence of child abuse and neglect and well as equip parents with the necessary tools to grow. Support Groups 48 clients served in 2013 Our Fathers Mentoring Fathers Support groups provide an opportunity to meet other fathers, discuss experiences, both challenging and rewarding in fatherhood, and mentor other fathers to be a successful parent, partner and role model. Many fathers find it very helpful to connect with other fathers for advice and support. Reentry Mentoring Program 183 clients served with 40 mentors in 2013 Our program focuses on assisting men, women and their home communities in building thriving relationships and life strategies as they successfully reintegrate back home after terms of incarceration. We help our participants connect to resources in the community to help reach their transitional plan goals. We work closely with job readiness programs, probation officers, parole officers, prisons, jails and halfway houses. 11
Intouch Phone Program and Resource Fair 234 clients served in 2013 Many people do not consider cell phones a necessity, but imagine if you are unemployed and searching for a job how does an employer contact you for placement? Or if you have a serious medical condition and need to stay in touch with your doctor? Cell phones have become a necessity, but in these tough times many people are struggling to pay their cell phone bills, or they can t afford one at all. Father Matters Intouch Phone Program is a lifeline assistance program designed to ensure that quality phone services are available to low-income participants. Father Matters partners with Access Wireless to provide income eligible customers with a free cell phone and a monthly allotment of airtime for one year. The cell phone offers in-demand features such as voicemail, domestic long distance, text messaging, call waiting, caller ID and 911 emergency access. To also get people connected we host resource fair that connects people with phones and community resources. Staff Development Training 300 employees served in 2013 Father Matters assists various agencies by training staff on ways to incorporate father friendly activities into their programs. Additionally, Father Matters staff is often called to guest speak and present on the efforts of Father Matters and the importance of including fathers in all parenting and childhood topics. This year we offered staff training to three offices of the Department of Economic Security Child Support Services in the Maricopa County area, the Preconception Care Conference and the Prevent Child Abuse Home Visitation Conference to increase male involvement. The Pearl Conference 89 couples served in 2013 The Pearl Conference served as an elegant date night and an opportunity for couples to connect and hear practical ways to strengthen and enhance their marriage. 12
Court and Custody Conference 118 clients served in 2013 This daylong conference is filled with guest speakers specializing in fields that include family law, child custody, child support, trauma and the impact of separation and divorce on children and much more. This conference is not limited to workers in their respective fields and has included parents, family members, social workers, case managers, faith leaders, counselors and just about everyone. THANK YOU On behalf of Father Matters, thank you to our volunteers, donors and referring agencies. With your support, we have provided services to more than 1,000 fathers and families in 2013. While our agency is fortunate to have dedicated and highly qualified staff, we would not be able to get the results without the unwavering support of our community s volunteers, donors and partnering agencies. Child Support Services South Phoenix Healthy Start Department of Corrections Department of Justice Behavioral Systems Southwest St. Joseph the Worker Southwest Human Development Tanner Community Development Corp Child Protective Services Valley Christian Center Teen Pregnancy Terros Outreach Maricopa Adult Probation City Phoenix Emmett McLoughlin Community CTEC Tiger Mountain Foundation Touchstone Behavioral Health UMOM New Day Center US Vets Wecycle USA Whole Life International Foundation Another Man s Treasure Asian Pacific Community Action Aurora Behavioral Health Az Attorney General Az Coalition Against DV AZ State Talking Book Library Catholic Charities Catholic Diocese of Phoenix City Of Phoenix Housing City of Tempe Homeless College Depot Community Kitchen Department Outreach Construction Career Training Travis L Williams Family Roosevelt School SABIS International Service Center District Family Court Self Help Services Family Lawyers Assistance Project Crisis Nursery First Things First Fountain of Life Worship Fresh Start Friendly House John F Long Family Services Center 13
Kaity s Way Magic Smiles Maricopa Skill Center Maryvale Family Health Center Moma House Ocotillo Library Parent Partner Plus Phoenix Health Plan Phoenix Rescue Mission Phoenix Workforce Hope VI Phoenix Workforce- Preventive Child Abuse Travis L Williams Prison Fellowship Ministries Maricopa County Prosecutor s Rio Vista Center Sage Counseling Office South Mountain Community Burton Bar Central Library Tumbleweed Maximus Library Chamberlin Nursing School Darlene Babers Kelly Gurnido Access Wireless Salt River Project Eagle Harmony School Girls Scouts Phoenix Children s Hospital St. Luke s Hospital Maryvale Hospital Care 1 st Avondale TAP AZ Resource Center Arizona Informant Fortified Marriages 860 AM Gospel Radio Maryvale Church of the Nazarene 1360 AM Faith Talk Radio Equipped Business Solutions Printing Project Launch WIC Phoenix Suns Fry s Food & Drug Store Donison Law Firm Bank of America Richer Press Publishing River of Life Church Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development City of Phoenix Head Start Bayless Healthcare Helping Families in Need Maricopa Family Support Alliance Maricopa Superior Court 14