The Magnolia Project’s new male outreach initiative  “Men of Magnolia” concluded its first five sessions March 27 with three graduates and 19 men still currently attending sessions.

It is the first program for men to be held at the Magnolia Project. “Men of Magnolia” focuses on fatherhood & male responsibility training. Men and fathers from the community participated in open discussions based on four main topics: Understanding Yourself, Spirituality, Handling and Expressing Emotions and Balancing Work and Family. Participants were given incentives such as refreshments and prizes to attend.

The program’s goal is to foster personal growth and teach fatherhood skills and responsibility to men in the community. The first group of men who attended the sessions were given a survey to evaluate the new program, the positive feedback was overwhelming.

“This group has made me think about what I should do before I do it. I know some people need help and I want to say thank you for teaching me.”

“Really enjoyed the class! Wish there were more weeks of the class.”

“It’s really great, I like what we talk about in the group.”

The Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition also provides Responsible Fatherhood Training workshops as part of the Department of Revenue, Child Support Enforcement Division’s B.R.E.A.C.H. Project.

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