It was a Great Time to be a Dad!

CINCINNATI. Dec. 15, 2017. More than 90 dads, their kids and families had a great time at the Carl H. Linder YMCA learning more about fatherhood, insurance, healthy relationships, breastfeeding and more. “It’s a Great Time to be a Dad!” was held in November at the Carl H. Lindner YMCA. The event was sponsored by Health Care Access Now (HCAN). “Raising babies into children and children into citizens takes women and men, and we appreciate what HCAN did with this event,” says Sherry Kelley Marshall, President & CEO, Southwest Ohio Region Workforce Investment Board.

An All-Star Panel was moderated by James Evans Jr., a member of HCAN’s advisory board. Panel members were:

• Mike Martin, former wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals and community activist
• Sherman Bradley, pastor, entrepreneur, personal coach and diversity and inclusion trainer
• Lamont Taylor, Manager, Talent Development & Community Engagement, Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency
• Officer Louis Arnold, Cincinnati Police Department
• LaVelle Betts, Community Relations Supervisor, Buckeye Health Plan

All around the basketball court were resource tables to learn more about fatherhood, insurance, healthy relationships, breastfeeding and job opportunities. The panel of experts shared information and responded to questions about what it means to put your family first, the differences between breastfeeding and formula feeding, safe sleep information, the benefits of spacing children and other interests of the attendees. After the panel discussion, Cincinnati Public Schools basketball coaches held a clinic for students K-12 grades. They taught them how to run drills and shoot the ball. They also talked to the students about bullying. The event also included a dunking contest, DJ Q Fizzle and refreshments.

“This event was our way to support families for an enjoyable day with their children, to have a dialogue with dads and to share some practical information while having fun together,” says Judith Warren, CEO of HCAN. “We highlighted the importance of dads and their involvement in improving birth outcomes among African American families in Hamilton County and having all babies celebrate their first birthday.”

This event was made possible in part by a grant from the Ohio Commission on Minority Health and support from Buckeye Health Plan.