"Any man can be a father but it takes someone special to be a dad."
As men, we are made in the image of God and innately possess the raw materials of masculinity. However, we are not born with the knowledge of how to use those materials. As with any trade or skill we have to be taught how to be a man. What guy ever picked up a power tool and instinctively knew how to hang drywall, or picked up a guitar and just knew how to play it? In the same way, we can't expect a young man to know how to deal with adversity or to pursue a woman's heart well unless he has been taught how to navigate such uncharted waters. Granted some men are self-taught, but that is and should be the exception, not the norm.
Today, father absence is among the most pervasive social problems challenging families. But the presence of a responsible father improves a variety of outcomes for children and serves as a protective factor against problem behaviors including teen drug use, pregnancy, truancy, and criminal activity. Thus, supporting and encouraging fathers to become more present and actively involved in their children's lives is our number one goal.
Billy Graham said: "A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society."
The recently formed iDAD foundation has been active in the community since its first march for "Fathers to be active" on December 16th, 2012.
The iDAD foundation serves to awaken men into taking responsibility and being active in the life of their children, and extended into their community.
Our mission is for the fathers of St. Maarten to come together to work in becoming greater fathers and significant male role models through personal involvement, resulting in outcomes which are positive. One of our aims is to successfully building relationships between children, parents, schools and the communities at large.
We have been working closely with the Community Police Officers to assist with the troubled youth in our schools: working along with school management and counselors. We have also been able to visit the homes that house youths and the seniors home.
These are some of the activities that the iDad foundation had organized:
- We've had an iDad beach day with Royal kids Club.
- Weekend visits to the elderly home (the Dads along with their kids helped with the serving of the meals and after just spend some time talking or playing games with the elderly).
- Visit to the iCan Foundation, where we (the Dads) cooked for the kids.
- Visit to the Chrystal home, where we did games and talked to them about the importance of someone knowing where they are at all times. (We the Dads) also cooked for them)
- We had an iDad movie day where dads were encouraged to take their kids to the movie.
- We had a Movie day where the Dads were invited with their kids to come and watch a movie.
Our next event is when we celebrate our first annual Father's Day Dinner Dance on Saturday, June 15th, 2013 at THE ROCKHOUSE - PORT DE PLAISANCE from 7:00pm UNTIL. Dress code is formal. Entrance price is $40 per person or $70 per couple. Entertainment for the night includes: Live entertainment, DJ RICHY D & DJ TOOLS & GUEST DJ's. Come and support the cause that acknowledges fathers in our community and encourages them to be the best to their children, family and community. Not forgetting those who took the father figure responsibility upon themselves to be role models to the youths that lacks a parental male figure in their lives. Proceeds from this event will be used to provide breakfast and school supplies for the upcoming school Year 2013/2014 for less fortune children.
We urge the community and in particular fathers to be role models to the youth of St. Maarten. So that the ills in our society will gradually decrease, allowing our judicial system to be less strained as Fathers play a major role in their children's life. Fathers do not tell his children to live, he lives; and let his children watch him and follow. We cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection.
As a dad there are lots of opportunities for you to get involved in your child's life. From helping chaperone the school trip, to reading together, to coaching the Little League team, take advantage of the time you can spend together!
Becoming more involved in your child's life can take a lot of different forms. At every stage your children can benefit from your involvement. Read with young children. Join the elementary school parent teacher organization. Chaperone a school event.
Volunteer as a coach, or ask your child's coach in what way he could use your help. Take time to be a positive and supporting part of your child's life.
"The situations of our youths are not mysterious. Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them. They must, they have no other models."
Interested parties may contact us for further information about our activities and what we together can accomplish for our country St. Maarten. Our contact information: Telephone: 581-5649 / 580-4445; Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/page/IDAD/439085889486922
