Shanne Sowards wants to tell teenage fathers that they matter, one young man at a time.

"Teenage dads feel so much shame, and they know that people are expecting them to disappear, so they follow the path of least resistance," says Sowards, 36, who became a father at age 15.

But Sowards, a Milwaukie resident, knows that kids do better when they have two parents to support them, regardless of their age or inexperience. He cites statistics stating that children who grow up without a father are more likely to do poorly in school, use drugs, engage in criminal behavior and even kill themselves.

After Sowards' first child was born, he separated from his family and moved into a camping trailer in a friend's backyard. The authorities considered him homeless, which put him in contact with Ben Root, then a case manager with a social service agency. Root became his mentor and taught Sowards how to be an involved, responsible father.

"He met with me every week and just cared about me. He wanted me to be successful," Sowards says of Root.

Twenty-one years later, Sowards decided it was time to pay forward the good fortune that helped him develop a lasting relationship with his daughter. Last summer he formed an organization called

, aimed at empowering teen dads through mentoring and other resources.

Currently under the fiscal sponsorship of

, Squires will host its first big event June 8 in Southeast Portland. Sowards hopes to draw 50 teen fathers to the free workshop, which will feature speakers on brain development, why dads matter, child support and goal-setting.

To keep the young dads engaged, Sowards will intersperse the speakers with a diaper changing competition (with dolls, not real babies), a screening of old-school public service announcements about being a dad, and other activities.

Additional incentives include free child care and lunch, and a $40 gift certificate for each participant. The dads have a chance to earn an additional $10 gift certificate if they complete an online interview with a Squires volunteer.

Squires says his goal is to get at least 15 young men matched up with a mentor and engaged with the Squires program.

Renee St. Amour, coordinator of

program, says Sowards "is filling an enormous hole. Some of our students have positive male role models in their lives, but many don't. Some are incarcerated, some have left, and lots have ended up in rehab."

Squires Teen Father Workshop

When:

June 8, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Where:

Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 9800 S.E. 92nd Ave.

Details:

Free child care and lunch provided.

Contact:

Call 503-421-0933 or email info@squirespdx.org to register. Learn more at

.

For several months Sowards has mentored 19-year-old P.A.C.E. student Pablo Huerta, who has a 6-month-old son. St. Amour said Sowards' work with Huerta has been transformative, helping him grow both in confidence and academically.

"The things that Shanne does are not just emotional," St. Amour says. "He's taken him to career fairs and bought him some dress shoes so that he could find a job. He's trying to be a partner in moving this student's life forward."

St. Amour looks forward to seeing Sowards' work amplified through the Squires program, which she says will help young men with good intentions develop the tools they need to be good dads as well.

Root was impressed by Sowards' sense of responsibility back when he was a teenager and supports his current effort to create a community of men who will mentor today's teen fathers.

"I think his frame of reference is unique, and I hope he succeeds," says Root, director of advancement at De La Salle North Catholic High School.

More than anything else, Sowards wants to be a friend and coach to teen dads who may be struggling with their new identity.

"Everyone else is already wagging their finger at them," Sowards says. "I want to give them a chance to not feel judged."

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