In San Antonio, an idea that began with the vision of a handful of concerned Latino/Chicano and Native-American fathers quickly developed into an organized community campaign to promote responsible fatherhood to fathers of all ages. The campaign, which began in January 2003, received substantial assistance from Making Connections-San Antonio and the Annie E. Casey Foundation Fatherhood initiative.
AIT-SCM is proud to be a member of the San Antonio Fatherhood Campaign.

San Antonio Fatherhood Campaign is a community initiative designed to promote responsible fatherhood by helping males of all ages to achieve greater self esteem and better awareness of their responsibilities to their families and community. Through this initiative, fathers are encouraged to become actively involved in the health and well being of their own lives as well as in the lives of their children. The Campaign facilitates the delivery of a broad network of services for disconnected fathers who want to improve their capacity to provide financial and social supports for their children.

Fatherhood Hotline
The Fatherhood Campaign has set up a hotline for information and support to families: (210) 227-3463

Key Organizational Partners
AIT-SCM, a neighborhood partner of the Annie E. Casey Making Connections NT/FD initiative, took the lead in organizing the Fatherhood Campaign and established working relationships with other community organizations and community members. To expand and actualize the Fatherhood Campaign, AIT-SCM developed a collaborative partnership with seven agencies. The following partners provide support and direction to the campaigns efforts to assist fathers and families.

American Indians of Texas-Spanish Colonial Missions (AITSCM)
Southwest Key Program, Inc.
Juvenile Outreach and Vocational/Educational Network (JOVEN)
AVANCE-San Antonio
San Antonio National Compadres Network (SANCN)
M.A.T.C.H./P.A.T.C.H
Project WORTH

Accomplishments
The San Antonio Fatherhood Campaign has impacted the community though local initiatives that assist fathers and their families. The Fatherhood Campaign does this through a combination of direct service programs, activities that support existing community organizations, and by developing new initiatives that publicly recognize fathers and fatherhood. These initiatives work to improve the access to community and neighborhood services available and create a healthy atmosphere for families. These efforts include:

• Established and staff the “Fatherhood Hotline” A Fatherhood Hotline has been established to link fathers to the Campaign and to help callers find the services they need. The hotline, which is open to callers from all over the area, provides information and referral services to callers, linking them to resources available through the Fatherhood Campaign and to other community resources.
• Established a referral network. A process has been established to help fathers and families access financial and social support within the community. Focus has been to continually build a referral network with resources available in the community. This broad network provides a continuity of services that begins when callers access the hotline or are referred by partner agencies. After referral is made, Fatherhood Campaign staff provides follow up to assure that assistance has been provided. Limited case management services are provided as part of the referral process.
• Data collection: The Fatherhood Hotline and information obtained during provision of services provide important data collection that can be used to track effectiveness of assistance provided to the fathers and families.
• Youth Outreach: Educating youth to improve their self esteem and understanding of appropriate male roles is an important aspect of the Fatherhood Campaign. Partnering with San Antonio Making Connections , the Fatherhood Campaign sponsored the “Hombres con Razon” Conference held on May 1, 2004 . The conference presented a unique opportunity for youth, men and fathers to exchange information, raise awareness and stimulate dialogue, as well as to develop and share creative parenting ideas that will touch the lives of youth, fathers, and families. A total of 40 young men and fathers participated in an all day workshop where they worked on understanding the roles and responsibilities of fatherhood and the position of males in a Mexican American community.
• Media and NeighborhoodOutreach: The Fatherhood Campaign utilizes media and special events to bring public attention to the role of fathers in society. Public awareness efforts included:
• Community Billboards that promote the Fatherhood Campaign and the Fatherhood Hotline
• A colorful Fatherhood Campaign brochure that has been distributed throughout the community
• Appearances on TV and Radio to promote Fatherhood and the Campaign
• Public Recognition of Fathers
• The 4 th Annual Fathers Day Fiesta – A Fathers Day Celebration held on June 19, 2004 at the Avenida Guadalupe Plaza provided an avenue for fathers and families to participate in a community initiative to promote positive male role models in the community. This event included the collaborating partners on page one above. This celebration consisted of the Hombre Noble Awards, with approximately 13 males/groups being recognized for their efforts. In addition to honoring military veterans, it also featured St. Agnes Matachin youth dancers and the youth band of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center . This event displayed arts and crafts activity tables, health screening sections and vendors providing information and community support services. Over 400 people attended (fathers, mothers and children), and the event attracted wide media coverage.

Please contact us if you would like more information on the Fatherhood Campaign. Together, we can make a difference in San Antonio!

Click HERE if you would like to volunteer for the Fatherhood Campaign or an AIT-SCM event.

Click HERE to contact us or to register for workshops, seminars, classes & other activities.