New program focuses on helping fathers

A new program being offered by the Creating Hope Society aims at targeting an area that has often been overlooked.

The Indigenous Father’s Initiative provides Indigenous fathers with a supportive environment where they can share their stories with other fathers in a safe and positive environment.

“Most of the healing programs are focused more towards mothers. This creates the gap of disparity for the fathers that want to be involved and often co-parenting programs do not create a sense of equality for Indigenous fathers,” said Christopher Severight, Indigenous Fathers Outreach Worker with the Creating Hope Society.

“Indigenous fathers are over-represented in homelessness, poverty, jail, child welfare and transiency-related research studies” said Severight. “In Alberta, 67 per cent of children in care are Aboriginal. We need to recognize fathers as parents and provide resources to support and instill a strong sense of identity into the fathers.”

The Creating Hope Society is taking a proactive community-based approach to empowering Indigenous fathers to cope with the effects of Residential School Syndrome or the negative, long-term or inter-generational effects of the child welfare system.

It is important that healing programs directed towards fathers are culturally relevant with a comfortable environment to share fears, doubts or any other emotions, says Severight.  Having the opportunity to share stories, frustrations and fears with other Indigenous fathers offers a sense of security not found in other programming.

The Indigenous Fathers Initiative, in its early stages, is continually growing and learning to provide a holistic approach on the journey towards healing. On some occasions healing programs are mandatory to attend such as dealing with anger, or on family violence.

The Creating Hope Society has already seen the benefits of having a male outreach worker.

“We are getting more referrals from various agencies and child welfare staff of individuals who are, or have been “at risk” in their families as they struggle with multi-barriers,” said Severight.

“More conversations are beginning to develop around fathers and what needs to be done to bring our males back to our families and communities,” said Severight.

The staff of the program helps identify issues, challenges and strengths, which in turn allows the workers to create goals through individual care consultation meetings. As well, the staff provides referrals and connections to an array of community resources.

The Indigenous Fathers Initiative is excited about continuing to empower, provide a voice and work with the fathers and individuals, so they can have a greater understanding of the child welfare and legal system and to provide all relevant resources and support the client may require.

The program is funded through the Aboriginal Urban Strategy and through a one-time fund by the City of Edmonton FCSS.  ProBono Canada and the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law are also working on a rights booklet for fathers who want custody of their children.

This initiative will be further advanced through the Father and Child Welfare Conference hosted by the Creating Hope Society in mid-March in Edmonton.