Jason Moffitt became a father while he was in high school.



Now 39 and the father of two sons ages 21 and 17, Moffitt is still learning about fatherhood.



"I thought it was my job to give them things," said Moffitt of Swatara Township.



"I realized as a parent, your job is to give them opportunities and experiences," he said. "What they want from their parents is time."



He and 10 other dads met in midtown Harrisburg on a recent Monday night to talk about men and how they can become better fathers.



Through the Fatherhood Academy, they learn and sometimes teach each other.



Some didn't have great role models. Some are teachers or counselors, and their reach goes way beyond their own children's lives.



The Rev. Nathaniel Gadsden, 59, leads the class based on his decades of counseling and teaching.



Topics include communication, noncustodial fathers, coping skills, dealing with children's behaviors, healthy living, managing conflict and anger, relationships, and time and money management.



"I think it's a great curriculum, but as things come up and we discover things from the fathers, we may have a special class on such and such," said Gadsden, the father of six and grandfather of 10. "I want to stay flexible so I can pounce on something that's relevant to the men."



Jahmelas Bryan expected a child-rearing class, but found it was more of a men's meeting group where the family is always the topic, he said.



"I take an idea from you, and you take an idea from me," Bryan said.



The class offers a lot of little reality checks, said Bryan, 29, owner of Midtown Soul, a retail shop that sells CDs. "It's relevant to a lot of things going on. It just opens up things, just gets your head thinking."



Bryan came to the group out of curiosity and to hear older people's perspectives on parenting, he said. "I have a son who is 3. Everything's new. Everything's new for us both."



Now when he goes home, he wants his son, Sekou, to see him being a good man.



"Let your son see you taking out the trash. Let your son see you hugging his mother," Bryan said.



"Sometimes you need a tune-up. This will give you a tune-up every week," Bryan said. "I think it's real good, even if you don't have children."



Paul Carey uses what he learns at the Fatherhood Academy both as the father of four and as a social studies teacher at the Milton Hershey School.



Alphonsa Bullock of Middletown wants to be the role model he never had.



Bullock, 41, was raised by a single mother, and said he was always searching for a father figure. Carey and Gadsden have helped him.



Bullock, known as "Mr. Chub," runs Dream Maker Transport, a youth community center and afterschool ministry in Middletown. He has three daughters and another one due next month.



Bullock said Carey and Gadsden give him hope. "They help me so I can help another."



The Tri-County Fatherhood Coalition that puts on the class has created Daddy packs to give to new fathers, has hosted an ice cream giveaway and is getting involved with a book festival in September, Gadsden said.



Moffitt, who was president of the Dauphin County Fatherhood initiative when it began four or five years ago, said he's not at the group to teach.



"I'm here as a father. I'm here for the interaction with other fathers, learning how they raise their children, learning how they do certain things, Moffitt said. "It's different for everyone. There are no easy answers, but having those other men you can talk to helps a lot."

To learn more:



The Tri-County Fatherhood Coalition helps fathers in Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties become more involved, responsible and devoted fathers. The coalition's programs:

— Judge Jeannine Turgeon will speak at the Family Empowerment Forum at 8 a.m. Friday at Dodge City Restaurant, 1037 Paxton St., Harrisburg. The free forum will address issues facing families. Registration is not required. Information: The Rev. Nathaniel Gadsden at 724-4056, or 732-0700 ext. 4056, or www.tricofatherhood.net

— The Fatherhood Academy meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays at The Neighborhood Center, 1801 N. Third St., Harrisburg. The free classes are not limited to fathers; participants can start with any class. Information: The Rev. Nathaniel Gadsden at 724-4056, or 732-0700 ext. 4056, or www.tricofatherhood.net