What is Fatherhood Matters?
The Fatherhood Matters Program includes parenting programs and services for fathers. The program recognizes that children and youth grow within the context of their family, culture, and community.
The safety, development and well-being of children and youth are best supported through holistic approaches that are community and family focused and involve fathers. The program supports the enhancement of promotive and protective factors and the reduction of and/or mitigation of risk factors that impact fathers, their children, and families.
The term fathers’ refers to individuals who identify as men and provide parenting to a child/children within the context of family or a parenting partnership. This includes biological fathers, social fathers (i.e., men undertaking the role of father such as stepfathers, foster fathers, boyfriends, or partners), expectant fathers, and father figures, such as uncles and grandfathers.
Services Offered:
All programs are offered free of charge to participants.
Fatherhood Matters Program services offered;
Parenting support groups
Parent- child interactive activities
Parenting programs and workshops
Drop-in and general services
Individual support
Outreach supports
Areas of Support:
Child and youth development, safety, and well-being supports
Parenting support
Family support
Social, cultural, and community connections
Culturally relevant and responsive supports
Fatherhood Matters Team
Pamela Kennedy has passionately worked in family services for over ten years, offering support to families across the life span, from new and expectant parents to elder and palliative care. Currently, she is responsible for the Fatherhood Matters initiative throughout Colchester East Hants, and is always looking for opportunities to provide support for men throughout this area. She also facilitates Bridges Open Group, which gives an opportunity for men to find connection, trust and empathy, which allows discussions about trauma, accountability and hope in a safe, encouraging environment with guys struggling with the same issues.
Her informal, welcoming, empathetic approach also uses humour to create authentic and honest relationships with clients in a non-clinical situation. She offers one on one, group, virtual and in person sessions especially when wait times are in place. This offers support "in the meantime" while waiting for more formal therapy.
All Fatherhood Matters groups, sessions and activities are based IN community FOR community free of charge and are open to any father or father figure.
To reach Pamela by phone, please call: 902-986-0156
To reach Pamela by email, click the button below.
Alexander Davis, MA, is an emerging scholar with a passion for Intimate Partner Violence Prevention research and education. Trained in program facilitation and mental health first aid, and with over 10+ years working in research and academics in areas surrounding partnered violence, he has devoted his career to improving practice and seeing levels of violence reduced. Having recently completed an MA in Family Studies and Gerontology at Mount Saint Vincent University, his work focused on an environmental scan of IPV prevention programs and the reshaping of masculinity education. Alexander brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm into his work, helping people affected by violence in their lives where he can and when he can.
To reach Alexander by phone, please call 902-986-0417
To reach Alexander by email, click the button below: