Thank you for making the 6th Annual Fathers’ Breakfast a Huge Success!
On October 11, 2007, approximately 260 guests gathered at the State Room in downtown Boston for the 6th Annual Families First Fathers’ Breakfast. Attendees celebrated their roles as fathers and learned how Families First strengthens families from all life circumstances. We are thrilled to report that the breakfast was a great success and raised more than $97,000 for our parenting education and professional training programs!
Guest speaker John Badalament, Ed.M, author of “The Modern Dads Handbook”, encouraged guests to keep their lines of communication with their children open at all times. He invited parents to ask for concrete feedback from their children, reminding everyone that simply asking for it is useful and validates their children’s feelings. John asked the guests, “If a documentary were to be created about you in 20 years and your children were interviewed, what would you want them to say about you; what would you not want them to say? Most importantly, what are you doing today to make sure that your children remember you in the way you’d want?” Visit John’s website (www.allmenaresons.com) to learn more about his work or purchase his latest book.
Haji Shearer, Families First Parenting Educator, shared an inspiring testimonial about his work with teen fathers. He observed that many of their individual concerns are, in fact, often shared by most fathers. He stressed how important it is for all parents to have safe environments where they can discuss their parenting concerns and obtain information and support.
Thank you to our co-chairs Michael Buckley, Blake Jordan, and Andy Majewski and also our Fathers’ Breakfast Committee for all their hard work! We hope to see you at next year’s Fathers’ Breakfast, which will take place October, 2008.
Click here for a list of this year's sponsors
Co-Chairs Andy Majewski, Michael Buckley and Blake Jordan with Crista Martinez
Families First Parenting Educators Haji Shearer, Doug Weinstock and Adam Mintz
Featured Speaker, John Badalament and Crista Martinez
Families First Executive Director, Crista Martinez addresses guests
Special Guest, Haji Shearer and Victor Sormanti
Featured keynote speaker John Badalament addresses guests
Joannie Jaxtimer and Crista Martinez
Co-Chair Michael Buckley with guests
