My Father’s House Foundation is a service provider for the Jefferson County Department of Human Resources in Birmingham, Alabama. My Father’s House is also a member of “Mentor” a nationally recognized mentor service organization. The agency currently makes a minimum of three presentations each year for the 100 plus students enrolled in the DHR Independent Living Program. Board members also work with the youth enrolled in the ILP as an advocate in terms of helping them to meet with local citizens and government entities to discuss needs and concerns of the homeless as well as youth in foster care.
The agency has also provided work and job skills training for youth living in a variety of long term facilities across the city. Via a grant from the Jefferson County Commission, the agency provides, on a monthly basis, program activities for youth who are in foster care or some other type of out of home care. These program are designed to help them transition from foster care to life on their own. As such, program activities have focused on: finding and utilizing community resources; conflict resolution; community based training; and dealing with dating violence. The youth are from diverse backgrounds with one-third of them coming to us from a facility that educates and houses teens viewed as violent and a danger to themselves or others. Board members and mentors who work directly with the youth have undergone extensive background checks including fingerprinting in the interest of protecting and working with youth.
Coupled with the interests, and a genuine concern for youth and the communities served, My Father’s House Foundation, Inc. is well qualified to address the pressing needs of youth who served by the S.T.A.R.S. Leadership and Mentoring Program.
The collective backgrounds of board members will play a crucial role in helping youth master skills that will allow them to lead productive lives and compete in the job market. As the nation continues to reach out, it is imperative that concerned citizens and organizations join forces with them to rescue youth and to help meet the needs of those who feel hopeless and alone.