What: The Resident Advisory Board of the Meridian Housing Authority will join several community stakeholders in support of MHA’s “Fatherhood Initiative and Workshop.” MHA’s Fatherhood Initiative supports HUD’s nation-wide outreach effort to encourage the bonding of fathers and their children in addition to connecting fathers to healthy choices and economic development resources.
When: Monday, June 23, 2014, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Where: Meridian Housing Authority’s Administration Building – 2425 E Street, Meridian, MS
Details: HUD statistics show that nearly 64% or two out of three African American children live in “father-absent” homes. One out of three Hispanic children or 34%, and one out of four or 25% Caucasian children live in “father-absent” homes.
Studies show that children suffer greatly when there is no father present. Children who live apart from their biological fathers are on average at least 2 to 3 times more likely to: use illegal drugs, experience educational, health, and behavioral problems, or engage in criminal behavior than their peers who live with their married, biological or adoptive parents. A child with an absent father is 54% more likely to become a victim in the vicious cycle of poverty.
The workshop will feature several guest speakers including: Dan Derrington of First State Bank, Detective Dareall Thompson of the Meridian Police Department and Jennifer Mackrell of the Care Lodge Domestic Violence Shelter.
For more information regarding MHA’s Fatherhood Initiative and Workshop, visit www.meridianhousing.net and click on “press releases.
