Fatherhood

Fatherhood Staff Bobby "Lee" Verdugo Rodrigo "Rigo" Contreras Osvaldo Cruz

In the Fall of 1995, Bienvenidos Family Services welcomed a group of people who usually would not come into a social service agency looking for help. Fifteen head-shaved, tattooed and tough looking young men walked into the Bienvenidos Family Services Center took part in a program that was not only new to Bienvenidos, but was one of the first of its kind in the entire country. These teenage fathers were inaugurating the Con Los Padres Program, a pilot project that was designed to help non-custodial fathers to connect with their children and to become supportive, caring and nurturing. 

This program was formerly known as the Con Los Padres program, which received widespread recognition for it's innovative approach to helping teen fathers meet and accept fatherly responsibility for their children, while also teaching them how to connect with children. The foundation for working with young fathers at Bienvenidos Family Services and the NLFFI, has been one based on respect, honor, trust and carino.

Since that beginning, Bienvenidos has served over 150 young fathers, many who have siblings as old as their children. But all come to Con Los Padres with the same desire: “To be the best father I can for my baby!"

Today the agency has many programs and services for fathers in the community who need help and support. We now offer a variety of programs that deal with anger management, fatherhood and family strengthening, literacy which helps dads read to their children, playgroups, and other programs to help keep families together. We offer services to fathers of all ages who may need help or just need resources.

—Bobby Verdugo

If you would like further information on our Fatherhood Program, please contact any of the staff listed above by e-mail or telephone (323) 728-9577.

Former Con Los Padres Grads

	Richard Pacheco, "Chikis" & Ozzie Cruz
	Martin Romo & Daughter "Ruby"

For many years, families have been coming to the Bienvenidos Family Support Center on East Beverly Boulevard looking for help with parenting instruction, support, food, shelter, childcare and respite. But most of these participants who take part in the agency’s programs have been women and mothers. They have come with their children in their arms, or in strollers looking for support groups, parenting groups or counseling services and the agency would know exactly how to help because most of the programs had been set up to assist children, women and mothers.

Teen Dad's Meet in Santa Barbara for Young Men's "Circulo," Dispelling The Myth That Young Latino Father's Don't Talk About Fatherhood.

The Fatherhood Staff can be reached by

E-Mail

fatherhood@nlffi.org/ conlospadres@aol.com

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