As part of our Fatherhood Initiative, our Head Start Academy hosted its second annual Healthy Fun Day with Dad in February 2014 to encourage healthy choices.  The event is a male-buddy day event to encourage dads and male caregivers to play an important part in the success of the children in their lives.https://www.thechildrenscenter.com/wp-admin/post-new.php

This year’s event had great participation with more than half of the participants staying throughout the evening to enjoy all the offerings and fun! Kids and dads were treated to healthy snacks — with easy recipes to try at home. The Detroit Medical Center and Molina Healthcare were also on hand. The Detroit Medical Center offered free health screenings including blood pressure and glucose tests. Molina Healthcare provided health care information. Academy students and their fathers also participated in fun games together like plastic cup bowling, hula hoop and basketball free throw contests. Everyone took home a grab bag full of healthy items like bottled water, clementine oranges and literature on maintaining a healthy lifestyle!

Rodgers A. Washington, Fatherhood & Healthy Families’ Facilitator, explained that events like this in conjunction with The Children Center’s Fatherhood Initiative help to improve the focus on engaging fathers and male caregivers and keeps them involved in planning and participating in a child’s success. The Healthy Fun Day with Dad provided powerful community building for the fathers and allowed them to be role models, while sharing in the child’s education.  The Head Start Academy plans to build on this event by planning more like this, including Movie Night with Dad. Follow The Children’s Center’s blog and find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to stay up-to-date on upcoming events and programs!