METRO Responsible Fatherhood Program

The Need
Nationally, one-out-of –three children in the United States are growing up without their biological fathers. Studies have established that growing up without a father has dramatic negative impact on the lives of these children. There is also a significant relationship between father absence and the weakening of families and communities.

Father absence is reaching a crisis proportion for African-American and Hispanic children in Central San Diego. 86% of San Diego City parolees live here. The teen birth rate is 35 per 1000. 30% of the children are raised by single females. 41% of families with children headed by single females are living in poverty. There are 38 domestic violence victims for every 1000 persons.

Currently, the Metro Fatherhood program focuses on ex-offenders and high risk young fathers. These absent fathers suffer from high unemployment, low income, minimal parental and relationship skills and high level of unhealthy lifestyle. 

Our Objective
The Metro Responsible Fatherhood Program is committed to improve the lives our children by helping and training absent fathers in Central San Diego to be responsible, committed and involved in the lives of their children. By doing so, Metro wants to contribute to the success of our children, the unification of families, and the strengthening our communities in Southeastern, Mid-City, and Downtown San Diego.

More specifically, Metro is committed to improve the capacity of fathers to provide financial and emotional support to their children through improved work readiness, sustained employment, and improved parenting and relationship skills.

Metro Fatherhood Employment Services
Metro provides employment services to these fathers: increase their employability through assessment and planning, basic education, life management and work-readiness training. We help them gain access to employment through Career Centers, job placement, and supportive services. We ensure their success on the job through workforce mentoring and job placement support.

Metro Fatherhood Education Programs
Metro provides these fathers with skills, knowledge, information and resources through a series of connected and effective workshops and group process on manhood, fatherhood, parenting, father involvement in child education, character development, sexuality, substance abuse, domestic violence, relationship, racism, child support, and paternity. Completion of the fatherhood education will prepare these fathers to build commitment and gain competence in the core elements of fathering – father presence in the life of the child, care-giving, advocating the social and academic achievement of the child, cooperating with the mother, being a positive role model, and providing financial and material support to the child.

Metro Fatherhood Supportive Programs
Metro ensures the continued success of our clients and participants through various scaffolding services and activities. These supports include Domestic Violence Support groups, Father to Father mentoring, One-On-One Support to fathers, Father-Child Bonding field activities, and other participant initiated events.