In a heartwarming celebration of fatherhood and personal growth, Seeds Women’s Center held a graduation ceremony for their dedicated group of dads on June 20. The event, which took place at Emmanuel Baptist Church, marked the culmination of 11 weeks of classes that brought together five strangers who have now become the best of friends.
Amber Bradford, the director of Seeds Women’s Center, expressed her joy about the event, saying, “They met as strangers, and now they are the best of friends.” The center has been instrumental in providing support and guidance to these fathers on their journey towards becoming the best possible dads for their children.
The graduation ceremony was a testament to the community’s involvement and commitment to empowering fathers. Throughout the program, volunteers provided delicious suppers at every meeting, while Johnson’s Cafe contributed their famous donuts, adding a touch of sweetness to the dads’ journey.
Leading the group with unwavering dedication were Joel Clary, the captain, and Don West, the co-captain. They were supported by Chris Silvis and Matt Edwards from Fishers of Men, esteemed leaders in the community who attended classes alongside the dads throughout the 11 weeks.
Each class session involved watching educational videos from Bright Course Fatherhood and engaging in discussions about the topics covered. However, some meetings focused solely on open discussions about the challenges these fathers faced and how they could make positive changes in their lives for the sake of their children.
As a token of appreciation and encouragement, each dad received a personalized Bible from Men of Courage, a gift card to Pizza Hut, a small Igloo lunch box, a key chain, cookies, and a generous $100 gift card. These donations were made possible by the support of Living Word, St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Pizza Hut, the Meeker Family, and the Bradford Family.
The celebration was made even more special with Ol’ West BBQ, provided by Men of Courage, a delectable cake baked by Ms. Sarah Haynes, and refreshing drinks courtesy of Coca-Cola. Door prizes were given away, adding an element of excitement to the evening.
Amber Bradford invites interested fathers to participate in the upcoming Navigating Fatherhood class, the date for which will be announced soon. Additionally, she encourages anyone who is willing to lend their support as a Fisher of Men to contact her at Seeds Women’s Center.
The five honored dads, Joshua Blackwell, Sidney Bradley, Rocky Mims, Brigham Cheatham, and Calebb Bolton, have set an inspiring example of dedication and personal growth. Seeds Women’s Center applauds their commitment to becoming the best fathers they can be.
