Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/693294
The Fostering Actions to Help Earnings and Responsibilities (FATHER) Project—a part of CHI St. Joseph's Health Community Health program—receives special honors for making a life-changing impact in the community. M arch 2016 was a month of merit for The FATHER Project—a program that helps low-income, noncustodial fathers learn healthy parenting skills and behaviors to help overcome barriers to supporting their children economically and emotionally. The FATHER Project has been a beacon of hope to and a game- changer for nearly 300 area dads since its 2011 launch. It has received abundant support from local businesses, churches, community members, and state institutions as well as from CHI St. Joseph's Health. LOVE WINS Specially chosen from a number of community award winners throughout the state, The FATHER Project was presented with Minnesota's 2015 Touchstone Energy Community Award from Itasca-Mantrap for its outstanding contributions and strong commitment to the Park Rapids community. A $1,000 gift accompanied this esteemed honor to help The FATHER Project continue its mission. (L–R) CHI St. Joseph's Health Community Health Violence Prevention Coordinator and FATHER Project Employment Specialist Kristen Partlow and FATHER Project Coordinator and Case Manager Joe Johnson accept The FATHER Project 2016 Program of the Year and Leader of the Year Awards. In the same month, The FATHER Project was recognized as the 2016 Program of the Year by Minnesota Fathers & Families Network for its phenomenal effect on local fathers and the community at large—as well as for the significant contributions its curriculum has made to the field of fatherhood policy and practice. PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE The FATHER Project's success is due in large part to Joe Johnson, CHI St. Joseph's Health Community Health FATHER Project Coordinator and Case Manager, whom most would agree is the lifeblood of the program. Johnson was recently honored with Minnesota Fathers & Families Network's 2016 Leader of the Year Award for his unrelenting dedication to the Project and its participants. The FATHER Project is not simply a job for Johnson—he infuses the program with his love, energy, and passion. Johnson is dedicated to helping at-risk fathers overcome obstacles that thwart their efforts to be great dads, people, and leaders, and he perseveres and prevails when barriers that threaten the Project—such as lack of funding—crop up. It takes a community to make initiatives like TheFATHER Project thrive. To support The FATHER Project or to sign up, call 218.255.2063. Labor of Love Earns Distinguished Awards (L–R) Mike Monsrud, Itasca-Mantrap President–CEO; Joe Johnson, CHI St. Joseph's Health Community Health FATHER Project Coordinator and Case Manager, and RaeAnn Mayer, CHI St. Joseph's Health Community Health Director CHI St. Joseph's Health | www.CHISJH.org 10