Connecting & Providing Fathering Resources to West Kootenay Dads
Project History:
In 2005 the Kootenay Boundary Community Services Co-op hosted a regional focus group with 40 participants from communities in the East and West Kootenay. These individuals and agency representatives were all involved in community health and social services. Out of this meeting came the recognition that community health could be enhanced by providing more support to fathers in communities. The Coop received a grant from the Columbia Basin Trust to hire a coordinator in the West Kootenay to look more closely at ways to support fathers. The East Kootenay region also went ahead with the development of project ideas to support fathering.
West Kootenay Project Goals:
- To increase the capacity of dads to take a positive role in their families and in their communities and to equip and inspire young men to be better dads.
- To strengthen the community networks for fathers who present a risk to their families and their communities
From 2005 to 2007 a regional coordinator oversaw the development of dads’ groups in various communities, increased service provider and public knowledge about the ways to support positive fathering, and developed an online resource library for dads.
Dads Project 2011
The current Dads Project continues this work with the completion of a survey to determine the support that fathers need as well as the supports that agencies require to better serve dads.
Next Steps
Working with a vibrant steering committee, the Project Coordinator’s current focus areas include:
- Making fathering materials, resources and event notices readily available through media (including online) and libraries.
- Develop a West Kootenay Dads online blog
- Support existing dads gatherings and encourage new gatherings for dads
- Provide a central hub for fathers to connect and be informed
- Be active in lobbying to ensure that local community conferences and educational events include a fathering component.
See upcoming Dad’s Resource section under the Resources tab on this website. For involvement or further information on the Dad’s Project, please contact Roger Luscombe, RCC, Project Coordinator at 250-352-5030
