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Fathers in the Park honors vital role played by dads
Snow Hinton Park in Tuscaloosa played host June 7 to a free event that celebrated the vital role of fathers.
Fathers in the Park, organized by Tuscaloosa's One Place, offered games, good, kids' activities and giveaways.
The goal of the event is to foster connection and togetherness between fathers and their children, according to the event's organizers.
Fathers in the Park is part of TOP's Changing Habits and Making Parents Stronger (CHAMPS) program, which helps non-custodial parents build healthy relationships and strengthen family bonds.
One highlight of this year's event was the auction of an original piece of artwork created by Jarvis Jackson. Jackson, the father of six, created the artwork to reflect his journey as a father.
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According to a news release from TOP, Jackson has been enrolled in the CHAMPS program for nearly three years and credits it with helping him rebuild relationships with his children by emphasizing presence, emotional connection and consistency.
Tuscaloosa's One Place is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization has been serving local families through after school programs, parenting and healthy relationship education, career development, teen intervention programs and community referrals since 1999.
Through a dedicated effort between its staff and community partners, the agency serves thousands of Tuscaloosa residents each year.
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This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Families gather for fun during Fathers in the Park in Tuscaloosa
