On October 23, 2009, approximately 230 guests gathered at the Mandarin Oriental, Boston for the 8^th Annual Families First Fathers' Breakfast.   Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations and former Championship Player, spoke from the heart about his role as a father and as a son. He talked about making his family a priority, even when it meant leaving a lucrative job. It was not always easy, but it was always the right choice.

Fathers from Massachusetts celebrated their role as a father and learned how Families First strengthens families from all life circumstances.  We are thrilled to report that the breakfast was a great success.  Through the generosity of individuals and corporate sponsors, we raised more than $98,000 for our parenting education and professional training programs! 

Keynote speaker Stuart Ablon spoke to this group of dads about "Plan B," how to solve problems together with your kids so that everybody wins. By applying conflict resolution and negotiation skills, parents create a new path between giving in and giving up.

Thanks to our Chair, John Howard, and our Fathers' Breakfast Committee for all of their hard work!  Look out for our Save-The-Date for next year's Fathers' Breakfast in October 2010.  We hope to see you there!

For a list of our Fathers' Breakfast sponsors, please click here.

Families First Board Chair Melora Balson, Keynote Speaker Dr. Stuart Ablon,

and Families First Executive Director Crista Martinez Padua

Executive Director Crista Martinez Padua, Friends of the Family

Honoree Danny Ainge, and Fathers' Breakfast Committee

Member Michael Buckley

Fathers' Breakfast Committee Member Mike Buckley and

Committee Chair John Howard

Fathers' Breakfast Committee Member Glenn Morgan (center) and Guests

Families First Board Member Michael Hicks (center) and Guests

Fathers' Breakfast Committee Members Jim Wade, Paul Marcus, and Guest

Fathers' Breakfast Committee Chair John Howard, Former Director

of Development Kelly Cutler, Board Chair Melora Balson,

and Fathers' Breakfast Committee Member Mike Buckley

Families First Executive Director Crista Martinez Padua

with guests John Kelly and Jim Prince

Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge

accepts the Friends of the Family Award

Danny Ainge and Guests from the Boston Celtics: (clockwise from Danny) Steve

Lewinstein (Co-Owner), Shawn Sullivan (Chief Marketing Officer), Rich

Gotham (President), Jeff Twiss (Vice President of Media Relations), Mike

Aud (Basketball Operations Manager), Frank Burke (Director of

Basketball Administration), and Mike Zarren (Assistant General Manager)

Dr. Stuart Ablon, Director of Think:Kids at Massachusetts

General Hospital, speaks about the collaborative approach

to resolving conflicts between parents and children.

Dr. Stuart Ablon and Danny Ainge