Get At Me Dad

Get at Me Dad is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering Black and marginalized fathers. Utilizing the acquired skills as a Certified Lactation Counselor, Certified Community Health Worker, and childbirth educator, our Fatherhood Empowerment and Support Program aims to provide comprehensive resources, education, and community support to fathers, fostering their active involvement in their children’s lives and promoting healthy family dynamics from prenatal to infancy and beyond.

Mission: Educating, Equipping, and Engaging Fathers, particularly Black and People of Color, to lead strong families.

Vision: Changing the narrative of Fatherhood in Black and Brown Communities to be respected by all.

Service Model:

Fatherhood Support Groups and Education
- Conduct monthly support groups on effective parenting strategies, child development, and positive discipline techniques.
- Provide resources on co-parenting, navigating family court systems, and understanding child custody and visitation rights.
- Podcast focused on education and stories aimed to encourage strong and engaged fatherhood.
Father-Child Engagement Activities
- Organize quarterly father-child bonding events, such as sports days, arts and crafts sessions, healthy eating demonstrations, and educational outings.
Economic Empowerment
- Conduct financial literacy workshops covering budgeting, saving, and credit management.
Health and Wellness Support
- Provide access to mental health services, including individual and group counseling sessions.
- Organize workshops on stress management, healthy lifestyle choices, and physical fitness.

Successes to date:

Facilitated reading and storytelling sessions to promote literacy and emotional connection.
Get At Me Dad has supported and/or engaged over 250 fathers in 1-on-1 or group support settings in partnership with Nature’s Playhouse and Birth Detroit.
Presented a Great Lakes Breastfeeding Webinars, “Fatherhood Empowerment,” that reached over 1,000 participants in 2023.
Served as a key consultant in the creation of a fatherhood curriculum in partnership with SEMPQIC.
Participated in numerous speaking engagements, workshops, and panels to educate providers on ways to engage fathers in perinatal support.
Organized “Dads in the Cut” father-child bonding activity promoting exercise and healthy eating from May-September for Detroit families in partnership with Birth Detroit.

Leadership:

Reginald Day, CLC, CHW, Founder & Executive Director
Christopher Porter, Administrative Support & Dad Advocate

Partners:

Nature’s Playhouse
Birth Detroit
Southeast Michigan IBCLC’s of Color
Southeast Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Coalition (SEMPQIC)
Postpartum Support International (PSI)
Feed the Babes
Honor Community Health
Active Community Team part of DWIHN/Baby Court
Michigan Breastfeeding Network
ROBE/ROSE
Wayne State University Fatherhood Policy Initiative
MPHI

Our Vision for the Future: The Fatherhood Empowerment and Support Program by Get at Me Dad is designed to address the unique challenges faced by Black and marginalized fathers throughout Michigan. By providing targeted resources, education, and community support, the program aims to enhance fatherhood engagement, strengthen family bonds, and improve the overall well-being of participating families. Through this comprehensive approach, Get at Me Dad is committed to fostering a nurturing environment where all fathers can thrive and positively impact their children’s lives for a sustainable and healthy future.

Our Next Steps Include:

Offer job readiness training, resume writing workshops, and interview preparation.
Collaborate with healthcare providers to offer health screenings and educational seminars.