Memphis Housing Authority is "Building Healthy Families"

Father and his family enjoying some fun time together.

Children receiving some art supplies to draw and crayon during Father's Day get together.

Memphis Housing Authority partnered with Urban Strategies Memphis HOPE to host an event for HUD's National Father's Day initiative, with this year's theme being "Building Healthy Families."

On June 3rd, fathers, children, and employees gathered together at the Emmanuel Center for food, fun, and celebration of the impact that fathers and father figures have on the children in their lives. Over 75 fathers and children were present at the event, and various vendors from community organizations and agencies such as Impact Tennessee, Kaleidoscope School, Shelby County Schools, Advance Memphis, The Haven/Friends for Life and others provided information, testing, and screenings for attendees.

Other activities at the event included making Father's Day cards and crafts with children, a bounce house, a DJ and dancing, and photographs of fathers and their families. For the last seven years, Father's Day events have connected children living in HUD-assisted housing with their fathers and provided resources to help these men support their families. This year's Father's Day theme is Building Healthy Families with the goal to raise awareness of the important role fathers play in their children's physical and emotional health. 2017 activities should provide resources in the areas of health, education, and financial empowerment to foster strong relationships within families.

Current statistics show that children suffer when their fathers are absent. This in no way suggests that HUD does not recognize the critical importance of mothers. The majority of public housing households with children are headed by single women who earn less than $9,000 annually, and they do a tremendous job of raising their children. However, according to statistics drawn from communities across the country, children raised in absent father families are more at-risk for a host of negative factors, including dropping out of school. The focus on Father's Day is meant to be a starting point; either a celebration of existing relationships or a reason to form first connections.

###