Supporting Families by Supporting Fathers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, June 6, 2016

CONTACT:

Christina Autin

(240) 528-4887

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Supporting Families by Supporting Fathers

HOC’s new Fatherhood Initiative kicks off Saturday, June 11, 2016.

KENSINGTON, MD – Did you know that 24 million children in America – one out of every three – live in a home without their biological father? Millions more have dads who are physically present but emotionally absent from their lives. That’s why the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC) is launching its new Fatherhood Initiative.

Fathers make a tremendous difference in the lives of children and HOC’s Fatherhood Initiative aims to help build stronger families and stronger communities. During our kick-off event, HOC will provide housing information, employment, child support arrangements, and other resources for fathers and clients so they can become more self-sufficient and strengthen their family foundation. Montgomery County Councilmember Craig Rice will be in attendance and the event will feature speakers who are making a difference in our community.

Christopher Ervin is the host of “Talk About It”, a radio show that focuses on criminal justice reform. He recently campaigned in the successful fight to win voting rights for persons with criminal records in Maryland; a major victory helping nearly 40,000 people in the state.

Edwin Williams is best known for his talent on the football field, but this former Washington Redskin is making a mark off the field as well. Mr. Williams serves as a weekly mentor for an afterschool program that teaches leadership skills, healthy lifestyles and provides academic activities.

Toriano Cross is an outreach worker at Montgomery County’s Street Outreach Network which targets at-risk youth and gang members to help them turn their lives around through positive development programs.

WHEN: Saturday, June 11, 2016

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Shady Grove Middle School

8100 Midcounty Highway

Gaithersburg, MD 20877

HOC received the first Fatherhood Initiative grant ever awarded to a housing authority from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families. The $695,000 grant, renewable for five years, will be used to provide classes, counseling, workforce development training and other services to fathers and their families. Our partners include Montgomery College, Amerigroup, Priority Partners, A Wider Circle, Maryland Legal Aid, African-American Health Program, Phi Beta Sigma, Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human

Services and the Board of Elections.

HOC’s mission is to provide affordable housing and supportive services that enhance the lives of low- and moderate-income families and individuals throughout Montgomery County. To achieve this mission, HOC operates as a public housing agency, a housing finance agency and a housing developer that serves more than 30,000 people in Montgomery County.