FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 24, 2013) – The U.S. Department of Housing Urban Development recently recognized the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers for its 2013 Father’s Day initiative.
In its latest online newsletter, available at www.hud.gov/fathersday, and in a downloadable PowerPoint, HUD highlighted photos and information about the HACFM’s event held on June 15.
According to HUD, 322 housing authorities and local organizations hosted events for the 3rd Annual Reconnecting Families and Dads Initiative. HUD lauded housing authorities, large and small, across the country for partnering with various organizations to host its events despite the numerous challenges faced by PHAs, particularly the sequester. In addition to games and face painting, many PHAs provided booths with important resources such as job training, legal concerns and health checks for fathers and their families. The goal of this initiative is to empower fathers to achieve a more stable future for their families while bonding with their children in a fun, loving environment.
“We are so appreciative to the City of Fort Myers, all the event sponsors, community businesses and others that joined us in supporting this initiative,” said Twaski Jackson, director of client services for the HACFM. “Every night, one-out-of-three children go to bed in a home without a father. These annual events strive to bring fathers and their children together and connect the dads to the social and economic resources they need, including job training, health screenings and education opportunities, to be the best parents possible.”
The HACFM, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County, Lee County Black History Society and the Lee County Housing Authority, held its 3rd Annual Father’s Day celebration on Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Clemente Park located at 1936 Henderson Avenue in Fort Myers.
The Father’s Day celebration was filled with a variety of fun and entertainment for children and families including stage performances, a BBQ cook-off, a youth basketball tournament, kids games, live entertainment, Father of the Year essay contest, raffle prizes and more. The Housing Authority combined its annual Father’s Day initiative with the Lee County Black History Society’s Juneteenth celebration into one event.
Currently, the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers serves more than 3,500 low-income families throughout the greater Fort Myers community. The HACFM provides high-quality, stable and sustainable housing and related services to people in need. In addition, the staff works diligently in providing programs such as Resident Services/Family Self-Sufficiency and HOPE VI Community Supportive Services. The goal is to help families become self-sufficient, therefore strengthening the communities that use public and private resources efficiently and effectively.
The HACFM serves as a catalyst for increasing access to safe, affordable housing, and helping develop, preserve and revitalize communities through affordable rental housing. The agency is dedicated to empowering families with the means to become as self-sufficient as possible, encouraging and facilitating movement toward financial independence beyond the need for HACFM services while recognizing the needs and limitations of the mentally and physically disabled, aged and infirmed.
For more information on the HACFM or for assistance, please call 239-332-3825.
