Res 0645-2023

Whereas, Fathers can play a profound role in the lives of their children; and Whereas, According to research cited by the National Fatherhood Initiative, children with involved fathers are more likely to do better in school academically, to behave appropriately in the community, to live in a safe household with adequate financial support, and to be socially, emotionally, and physically healthy; and Whereas, One remedy to 2016 data showing that one in three children in New York City (NYC) was growing up in a household without a father is The Fatherhood Initiative, launched by NYC's Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) to help fathers who do not live with their children to maintain strong relationships with them; and Whereas, DYCD provides fathers in the program with individual and family counseling, assistance with child support and child visitation, employment referrals, and father-to-father mentoring; and Whereas, DYCD's program is based on research that finds that "children with involved fathers are less likely to get into trouble at home, school, or in the neighborhood, and that an active and nurturing style of fathering is associated with better verbal skills for infants, greater patience for toddlers, and better intellectual functioning and academic achievement among adolescents"; and Whereas, The Real Dads Network, which grew out of the award-winning documentary Real Dads-Black Men on Fatherhood, now offers a workshop series on building generational wealth, a voting initiative to encourage Black men to vote in all elections, a book club to discuss topics that are important to fathers, a support group for fathers who are trying to navigate the family court system, philanthropic activities to serve others, and more; and Whereas, The Real Dads Network celebrated NYC fathers all week long from June 3 to June 10, 2023, including with a basketball skills clinic and panel discussion with the fathers of National Basketball Association players, a comedy night, and a culminating spoken word performance and tribute to fathers; and Whereas, The Dad Gang, founded by Brooklynite Sean Williams, is an organization active in NYC and other major U.S. cities seeking to "defy stereotypes [and] shatter myths" about Black fatherhood as well as to "encourage, teach, support, and share tips" to help fathers "become better dads"; and Whereas, The Dad Gang describes its members as "our children's fiercest advocates" and notes that its members are husbands, "partners, soulmates, co-parents or just parents"; and Whereas, The Dad Gang held its annual Father's Day and Juneteenth March of Dads in Brooklyn on June 18, 2023, to honor Black fathers and help dispel the stereotype that Black fathers are absent fathers; and Whereas, U.S. President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., issued a statement marking the observation of Father's Day on June 19, 2022, saying that his own father had taught him "to treat all people with dignity, and that there is no higher calling than to be a good parent"; and Whereas, It is fitting that NYC recognize the indispensable role that fathers play in neighborhoods of all demographics in shaping the lives of NYC's children and nurturing the next generation of NYC's leaders, especially in underserved neighborhoods where fathers are critical to the social, emotional, educational, and future career success of their children; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York designate June as Fatherhood Recognition Month annually in the City of New York to honor and support the contributions of fathers to family and community life. LS #12766 6/15/2023 RHP 3