Through virtual skills-building workshops and parent support groups, we help fathers build and nurture connections with each other, with mothers, and with other father figures and caregivers. All parent support staff are certified by the National Family Support Network. Each group of stakeholders meets six times per year to align community leaders and organizations around the importance of fatherhood in evolving and healing families. In total, 88 partners are engaged in coalition work.

The Advancing Fathers program has a two-fold emphasis. First, to provide direct services to fathers and mothers to support and improve father involvement in the family. Secondly, to promote community awareness about the importance of fatherhood through our community Fatherhood Coalitions. Fatherhood coalitions are a powerful catalyst for connecting fathers to community programs. 

We help fathers increase their parenting skills and build and nurture connections with each other, with the mothers of their children, and with their children. Our skills-building workshops and parent support groups are available locally and virtually, making it possible for anyone throughout Illinois to join. Currently, we convene three fatherhood coalitions in Illinois to align community leaders and organizations around local fatherhood resources and the importance of fatherhood in evolving and healing families. Over 100 partners and stakeholders are engaged in coalition work.