Local organizations involved in Fatherhood First Conference

A Fatherhood First Conference "Strengthening Fathers and Families," will be hosted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, May 29, at the Drury Lodge in The State Room, in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

The event will consist of keynote speakers Reverend Kenneth Harris, Director Abba Restoration Center, Inc., of Gorton, Conn.; Kenneth Scarbough, MPH, MDIV National Male Involvement, Where Dads Matter Initiative, National Health Start Association, of Tampa, Fla.; Reverend Earl Grissom, Life Changes Restoration Ministry, of New Madrid, Mo.; Dr. Janice Kelly, CFLE, New York State Fatherhood Initiative, Perception of Fathers in the Media, Documentary, "In Search of the Ideal Father," of New York, N.Y.; and Halbert Sullivan, MSW, CEO Fathers' Support Center, of St. Louis, Mo.

The Fatherhood First's mission statement is to provide job readiness, life skills training, education and empowerment for fathers and young men; along with assisting participants in the development of healthy productive relationships with their children and families.

The purpose of the group since 1998 has been to strengthen and promote positive community involvement, job readiness, and education and parenting activities targeting males.

The organization targets health professionals, educators, faith based organizations, social services, business leaders, economic development, parents, custodial fathers, early childhood agencies, workforce development, juvenile detention, probation and parole, physicians, pediatricians, mental health, nurse practitioners and nurses as audience members.

The Fatherhood Panel includes Terry Murrell, Workforce Development Counselor, Dunklin County Career Center, of Kennett, Talmadge West, Honorary Member, of Hayti, Mo., and Sherry Hays, Workforce Development Supervisor, Pemiscot County Career Center, of Caruthersville, Mo., along with six other members from the state of Missouri.

The advisory committee consists of Sandy Oritz, Charles Distefano, Jane Childers, Paul Williams, Terry Murrell, Omer Clark, Keith Mays, John R. Simpson, Charles Walker, W.C. Norris, Ellis Gray, Roderick Perkins, Sherry Hays, Janice Hall, Melissa Bergmen, Lester Gillespie, Belinda Ashley, Dewayne Jones, Myna McLaughlin, Emily Modlin, James White, Wendell Scott, Tory Saxton, Belinda Cobb, Heidi Cravens, John Lane, Angela Longstreet, Anthony Smith, Janie Thurman, Jan McElwrath, Rev. Earl Grissom, Carolyn Davis, and honorary members Mon T. Grays and Talmedge West.

The conference is free of charge and transportation is provided for Fatherhood First Class participants and Healthy Start Clients. Also Lunch will be provided at the event free of charge.

To pre-register or for more information on the event contact Missouri Bootheel Regional Consortium, Inc., at (573) 379-2020.