<<go back
June 26, 2006

Calhoun’s Fatherhood Initiative Program
to Host Awards Banquet

The Alabama Fatherhood Initiative (AFI) of Morgan County, housed at and directed by Calhoun Community College, will host its third annual AFI Awards Celebration on Wednesday, June 28, 2006, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Decatur. 

Keynote speaker for the event is Pete Key of Ole Pete Key Inc.  Mr. Key, who was born in Florence, AL, has turned his life’s struggles into strengths and it’s many obstacles into opportunities by using music as a vehicle to convey his message about issues relevant to today’s society.

The AFI is directed toward non-custodial parents who are unable to make child support payments due to unemployment or lack of job skills needed to make a livable wage.  Its goal is to help these parents develop and maintain positive relationships with their children and to enhance their ability to support these children by providing counseling, education, training and employment assistance.  Since the program’s inception, 78 fathers have successfully completed the training and have been employed.  In addition, there are 22 fathers currently enrolled and another 12 awaiting employment placement.

Funded by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and The Department of Human Resources Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, the AFI is free to those who qualify.  In addition to Calhoun Community College, other AFI of Morgan County partners are Decatur CareerLink, Decatur Youth Services, the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Morgan County Department of Human Resources and the Morgan County District Court.

According to Angela Henderson, AFI case manager, the awards program is held to recognize those individuals who are currently participating in the program, those who have successfully completed training and are now employed, as well as local businesses, organizations and individuals who support the program.

“While the fathers in our program may have experienced some adversity in their lives, they are not unlike many others we know – they are hard workers who want the best for their families,” said Henderson.  “It is because of their desire to improve the lives of their children that they are involved in our program, and this awards ceremony gives us the opportunity to recognize and honor their success,” she added.

For more information about the Alabama Fatherhood Initiative contact Angela Henderson at 256/306-2914 or visit the Fatherhood Initiative website at www.calhoun.edu/fatherhoodinitiative.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Janet Kincherlow-Martin
Director of Public Relations
(256) 306-2561

Back to Menu