San Joaquin County Children’s Services, Parents by Choice, First 5 San Joaquin, and several other local community organizations have collaborated to bring the first Fatherhood Festival to San Joaquin County.  This event will spotlight the importance of father involvement in the lives of children and will feature fun dad- and child-friendly games and activities, food trucks, live music, community resources, and more.

The Fatherhood Festival will also kick-off San Joaquin County’s Father Appreciation Week,
June 12-17, a time for celebrating dads, and all they do to make a difference in our lives. Various community organizations will have the opportunity to help promote messaging and resources that support dads. For more information on the Fatherhood Initiative, visit www.sanjoaquinfathers.org.

WHO: Interviews available on-site or virtually:

Gus Pacheco, Director of Prevention Services, Parents by Choice
Justian O'Ryan, Social Worker Supervisor II, Human Services Agency
William Lattimore, Special Project Coordinator, Mary Magdalene Community Services
Aaron Edwards, Case Manager, Fatherhood Program, Mary Magdalene Community Services

WHERE:  Yosemite Street Village, Stockton

WHEN:  Saturday, June 10, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

VISUALS:  Interactive games and activities for fathers and children, live band, local community leaders sharing with father on topics that support parenting, various community organizations providing resources, and other activities and programming.

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS:  Aspiranet, Child Abuse Prevention Council, El Concilio California, Dignity Health, First 5 San Joaquin, Health Plan of San Joaquin, Mary Magdalene Community Services, Native CORE, New Spirit Missionary Baptist Church, Parents by Choice, PREVAIL, San Joaquin County Child Support Services, San Joaquin County Public Library, San Joaquin County WorkNet, San Joaquin County Children’s Services, Three Rivers Indian Lodge, Valley Mountain Regional Center, Victor Community Support Services, Yosemite Street Village, and Victory In Praise.

WHY:  Dads matter.  Father involvement improves child wellbeing, happiness, social, and academic success. Research shows that having a dad present in a child’s life helps with many things, including:

• School readiness and behavior (confidence, patience, and curiosity)
• Child development (verbal, cognitive, and motor)
• Security, confidence, and attachment
• Development of empathy
• Overall positive life outcomes and life decision-making as an adult

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