SPOTLIGHT FOR GOOD: TRUE DADS
CHANGING LIVES, ONE FATHER AT A TIME
For far too long, society has perpetuated the narrative that fathers are often uninterested or uninvolved in their children's lives. This stereotype overlooks the countless fathers who are eager to play an active and nurturing role but face significant barriers. TRUE Dads, a project of the It's My Community Initiative, is dedicated to shattering these misconceptions and empowering fathers to embrace their vital roles within the family unit.
TRUE Dads recognizes that many fathers are deeply committed to their families but may lack the resources, support, or knowledge to fully engage. By providing comprehensive support and education, TRUE Dads helps fathers overcome obstacles and build stronger connections with their children and co-parenting partners.
“Every day, there are children suffering because a parenting team is unable to work things out. It's such an important issue.”
TRANSFORMING FATHERHOOD: THE TRUE DADS APPROACH
TRUE Dads is part of the It's My Community Initiative (IMCI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the Oklahoma City metro area. IMCI hosts various programs under its umbrella, with TRUE Dads being one of its longest-running and most impactful.
Program Development and Curriculum: TRUE Dads leverages the evidence-based "On My Shoulders" curriculum, adapted to include co-parenting and economic stability components. The program's comprehensive approach addresses key areas such as healthy relationships, effective communication, parenting, and financial self-sufficiency.
Evaluation and Impact: An impact evaluation conducted over the past five years has shown statistically significant improvements in the lives of fathers, co-parents, and their children. The study, supported by rigorous methodologies, revealed reductions in depression, anxiety, destructive communication, and domestic violence, alongside increases in economic self-sufficiency and positive parenting behaviors.
“As a society, we rarely take the trouble to find out why dads may not be involved. If they don't have a pathway to do that, how are we helping them? We need to put them on that pathway to connect and be involved in their kids' lives. We have our roles, and dads have their roles. We need to recognize that and give everyone the opportunity to be there and do their part. For our families to be better and, ultimately, our communities to be better.
“That is the business we are in. We can share countless stories, but it is all about touching lives and strengthening our families. That is the bottom line.”
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS
Workshop Structure:
TRUE Dads offers an eight-week core workshop designed to equip fathers with essential skills. Classes are held once a week, providing a supportive environment where fathers can learn and grow. The workshop covers a wide range of topics, including relationship and communication skills, conflict resolution, personal grounding, stress management, and fatherhood engagement.
Bonus Opportunities:
TRUE Dads also provides access to additional resources and workshops to further support fathers:
Move From a Job to a Career: Through the partner program Work Ready Oklahoma, participants can gain skills for resume building, job searching, and job retention, helping them transition from jobs to meaningful careers.
Find the Information You Need: The Family Law Workshop helps fathers understand their rights as parents and provides resources to make informed decisions for their families.
QUALIFICATIONS
TRUE Dads welcomes fathers who are committed to strengthening their relationships with their children and co-parenting partners. To qualify for the program, participants should meet the following criteria:
Dad or Father Figure: Participants must be a dad or a father-figure actively involved in raising children.
Age: Participants must be 18 years or older.
Residency: Participants must reside within a 25-mile radius of Oklahoma City, as the program's grant requirements stipulate serving teams within this area.
Child's Age: Fathers or father-figures must be raising children aged 12 or younger, as the curriculum is specifically designed for parenting skills for this age group.
Co-Parenting Requirement: Participants should join the program with a co-parent, who can be a spouse, intimate partner, family member, or any other individual who is actively involved in raising the children alongside the father.
Language: The program is currently conducted in English, so participants should be proficient in English.
Commitment: Participants must demonstrate a willingness to participate in all eight weeks of the workshop and apply the skills and strategies learned during the program to improve family dynamics.
MEET YOUR INTAKE SPECIALISTS
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
You Matter:
Set expectations and understand the importance of your roles as dad and co-parent.
Learn the Three Keys to improve co-parent relationships and communication skills.
Making it safe to connect;
Deciding, not sliding;
Doing your part.
Effective Parenting & Self-Sufficiency:
Determine your parenting style and how to approach family management issues.
Prepare your child to become a healthy adult by finding ways to engage them in healthy activities.
Healthy Relationships & Marriage:
Use effective communication techniques, like the Speaker-Listener Technique, to make it safe for your child to connect with you.
Develop personal growth through good communication tools.
Dealing with Personal Challenges:
Understand how anxiety, depression, and stress can impact parenting.
Learn the brain science behind these challenges to develop a healthy awareness of your own and your child’s limits.
You & Your Child:
Understand the developmental stages of your child to break down barriers.
Explore your child’s progress to support developmental learning while promoting your personal growth.
Safe & Sound:
Build a strong relationship with your child to help them deal with tough situations and improve their social and emotional skills.
Teamwork, Parenting, & Employment:
Learn teamwork skills for co-parenting and employment success.
Gain communication and relationship skills that also help in the workplace.
Circles of Support:
Discover how loved ones affect the quality of relationships.
Learn to set boundaries and maintain supportive relationships with friends and family.
Economic Stability and Employment:
Get guidance on job readiness and employment opportunities.
Learn financial literacy and budgeting skills to enhance economic self-sufficiency.
Develop a Healthy Network:
Build a supportive network of family and friends.
Connect to community resources.
WHAT YOU'LL EARN
Participating in TRUE Dads comes with a range of supports and incentives designed to remove barriers and encourage full participation:
Transportation: Participants receive gas cards, taxi services, and Uber/Lyft rides to ensure they can attend all sessions, even if they don't have their own transportation .
Childcare: Free childcare is available through the YMCA, or participants can receive a childcare stipend to pay a sitter of their choice .
Meals: Participants are provided with a meal before each class, ensuring they are well-fed and ready to engage .
Financial Incentives: Participants can earn up to $250 each, disbursed over the program duration. By attending the eight-week workshop and completing three office visits and surveys, participants can receive these financial rewards .
Certificates of Completion: Recognizing achievements and skills gained, which can be presented in court or to employers as proof of their dedication to personal and parental growth.
Job Opportunities: Through the partnership with Work Ready Oklahoma, participants receive training on resume building, job searching, and job retention, helping them transition from jobs to meaningful careers .
Family Law Workshop: Participants gain access to workshops that help them understand their rights as parents and provide resources for making informed decisions regarding family law matters .
Community and Support: The program fosters a supportive community where fathers can connect with others facing similar challenges, offering mutual support and shared learning experiences.
“At the end of the day, we are working with humans. We are changing lives, and we are touching lives. When you think about it that way, it is just beyond words to know that we can reconnect with our kids, play with them, and have conversations with them. Being there for them means a whole lot because the story is that dads want to be involved in the lives of their kids.”
IMPACT AND OUTREACH
TRUE Dads has made a significant impact on the lives of many families in Oklahoma City. Over the past four years, the program has served 730 parenting teams, providing comprehensive support that addresses both immediate needs and long-term goals.
Participants have reported substantial improvements in mental health, stress management, and relationship skills. The program's evidence-based approach ensures that fathers and co-parents are equipped with practical tools and strategies to foster healthier family dynamics.
REAL STORIES, REAL CHANGE
One participant shared, "Through this program, I’ve become a better parent and a better me." Another father noted, "I feel like this program is exactly what I need. TRUE Dads is helping me find me, as a man, along with being a true dad and a husband."
Samuel Shares His Fatherhood Experience
Samuel's story is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of the TRUE Dads program. Through his journey, Samuel has embraced the responsibilities of fatherhood, finding joy and a deep connection with his children that has created a beautiful bond. TRUE Dads has provided him with the knowledge and confidence to be the father his children deserve, turning his life around and setting a hopeful course for their future. Samuel’s experience is a reminder of the profound difference that support and community can make in the lives of fathers and their families.
Learn Why Stephen Kept Coming Back To TRUE Dads
Stephen's journey with TRUE Dads is driven by a desire to grow and learn, challenging what he thought he knew about fatherhood. Through the program, Stephen discovered new approaches to parenting, realizing there were better ways to guide and connect with his children. His commitment to returning to TRUE Dads stems from the valuable lessons that have helped him communicate more effectively and remain calm with his kids. Stephen’s experience highlights the importance of continuous learning and growth as a father, and the positive impact it can have on his relationship with his children.
Discover How Xavier’s Communication Was Impacted
Xavier's time at TRUE Dads has been transformative, especially in changing how he communicates. Like many fathers, Xavier often found himself internalizing his feelings. But through the program, he learned to open up, express himself, and connect with other dads who shared similar experiences. The weekly sessions became more than just a class—they became a therapeutic space where Xavier could be himself, find support, and grow. This newfound ability to communicate openly has made a lasting impact on his life as a father.
LANCE AND RIKKI’S JOURNEY
Co-Parenting Team, Lance and Rikki
Lance and Rikki's story is a testament to the transformative power of TRUE Dads. Both Lance and Rikki had struggled with substance use issues, and their lives were marked by instability and separation from their children. Lance, having been incarcerated for two years due to his lifestyle, found himself at a crossroads upon release. Determined to reconnect with his children, he knew he needed help to become the father he wanted to be.
"I had been out of my kids' lives for about ten years. Freshly out of prison, I contacted TRUE Dads through my parole officer, hoping to find strategies and skills to reconnect with my children. My kids were 18, 12, 11, and 10 at the time. TRUE Dads was a lifeline."
Rikki echoed this sentiment, adding, "We both lived the same lifestyle, and Lance reached out to me from prison, trying to figure out what he needed to do to be in his children's lives. After he got out on parole and into sober living, he wanted to do TRUE Dads and asked me to come with him. Initially, I hesitated because of our schedules, but we signed up for the next available workshop after the soccer season ended. TRUE Dads provided the resources, connections, and next steps we needed."
Through the TRUE Dads workshops, Lance and Rikki learned vital communication techniques and stress management strategies. Lance emphasized, "Communication was definitely a game changer. I didn't know how to communicate at all before TRUE Dads. The community we developed through the program was another big takeaway. There were a lot of different dads from different walks of life, and it made it easier for me to handle situations when they came up."
Rikki added, "Put your prejudices down and have an open mind. This program provides fact-based information that helps both parents play a huge role in a child's development. Anyone can come to this and learn something to make them a better parent."
Their commitment to applying the principles they learned at TRUE Dads led to profound changes in their family dynamics. Lance was able to gain full custody of his 13-year-old son, a direct result of his participation in the program.
"When I went into court, the main selling point was all the certificates from True Dads and other programs. The judge was impressed and awarded me custody."
Lance's journey with TRUE Dads didn't stop there. Today, he is a Fatherhood Advocate with the National Responsible Fatherhood Alliance and a Fatherhood Engagement Specialist with TRUE Dads. His dedication to helping other fathers reconnect with their children and embrace their roles within the family is a testament to the program's transformative power.
The broader impact of their journey is evident in their redefined co-parenting relationship. Though they are not in a romantic relationship, they have used the tools learned in the workshop to become the best co-parenting team they can be. Lance and Rikki have transformed their approach to co-parenting through their involvement in a recovery program in combination with the TRUE Dads workshop. They have shown up in their children's lives in an intentional and beautiful way, creating a foundation for generational healing and change in their families.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Together, we can ensure that every father has the opportunity to thrive and make a positive impact on their family. The TRUE Dads program is more than just a workshop; it's a lifeline and a community that fosters growth, healing, and transformation.
Why Should You Join? TRUE Dads is dedicated to empowering fathers with the tools and support they need to be active, engaged, and loving parents. By joining TRUE Dads, you become part of a movement that values fatherhood and recognizes the vital role fathers play in their children's lives. You'll gain access to a wealth of resources, including:
Life-changing Workshops: Gain practical skills in parenting, communication, and stress management.
Comprehensive Support: Receive transportation assistance, childcare services, and financial incentives to ensure you can fully participate.
Community Connections: Build a supportive network of fellow fathers and access community resources.
Career Development: Improve your job readiness and financial stability through targeted training and support.
Personal Growth: Develop healthier personal habits and a deeper understanding of your child's developmental needs.
Make a Difference: Your involvement with TRUE Dads doesn't just benefit you; it positively impacts your children, co-parenting partners, and the broader community. By investing in your growth and development, you're setting the foundation for generational healing and change. Your children will benefit from having a present, engaged, and loving father, and you'll experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from being actively involved in their lives.
Support the Movement: Even if you're not a father, you can still support TRUE Dads. Your contributions help sustain and expand the program, allowing more fathers to experience the transformative power of TRUE Dads.
Volunteer Opportunities: Assist with events, workshops, and community outreach efforts.
Spread the Word: Share information about TRUE Dads on social media, with friends and family, and within your community.
Donate: Your financial support ensures that TRUE Dads can continue to provide comprehensive services and support to fathers in need.
Get Started Today: Don't wait to make a positive change in your life and the lives of your children. Join TRUE Dads today and become part of a movement dedicated to strengthening families and fostering hope. Sign up for the next available workshop, connect a community, and take the first step towards becoming the father you aspire to be.
For more information, visit their website, follow them on Facebook and Instagram, or contact TRUE Dads directly at (405) 418-3888 or info@truedads.org. To sign up for a workshop, please fill out the TRUE Dads Workshop Sign-Up Form.
Together, we can create a brighter future for our children, our families, and our community. Join TRUE Dads and be a part of something truly transformative.
