First Reflection Most Meaningful Conference

From: Karen Ross
Email: kross@christopherhouse.org
Date: May 21, 2008

Comments

I would have to say that the conference that was the most meaningful for me was Designing Programs to Maximize Male Involvement. I was recently awarded a Fatherhood Inititive Grant, and it was refreshing to hear that this inititive could be alot easier then I thought. I really enjoyed listening to Mr. Alpha Jackson speak on unconvetinal ways to involve fathers. One of his suggestions was to introduce books by simply having a display in the hallway. Another idea was have meeting without agenda's in the beginning to build relationships. I'm from Head Start we always have agenda's but the way that he explained it made perfect sense.Mr. also mentioned a stamp campainge where center staff and children could write letters to fathers that were incarerated. My center has had success with this strategy.Other Ideas included creating a male friendly environment. It was amazing to walk through my center and take inventory of what I considered to be male friendly items. I don't mine saying I have work to do. The key to creating a sucessful program for male involvement begins with a vision and I have one for my program.