OHEL’s “Devoted Dads” Workshop Draws Capacity Participants

Innovative parenting workshop for non-residential divorced fathers

OHEL recently hosted over forty post-divorce “Devoted Dads” in a workshop for the non-residential father. The need to address the specific concerns and challenges of the non-residential parent was clearly evident as fathers came from as far as Lakewood and Long Island to attend this event in Brooklyn.    

David Mandel, CEO of OHEL, made introductory remarks about the increasing rate of divorce in our communities and how non-residential fathers have the opportunity to greatly impact the development of their children. 

Dov Wilkes, LCSW from OHEL’s Tikvah Center discussed the various changes that fathers and children experience as a result of divorce.  Practical techniques were offered for Devoted Dads to utilize in both their visitation and their on-going communication with their children. The challenge of Devoted Dads feeling stigmatized was addressed as well, and the need to develop support systems was emphasized throughout the event.

The responses to this workshop were overwhelmingly positive. One father commented, “This was so informative! When is the next workshop?’ Another father commented, “I feel that tonight’s program spoke to my situation and challenges. The suggestions were practical and powerful!”

Despite the in-coming storm, most of the participants stayed an hour after the program to ask questions and to connect with each other.

Fathers can stay tuned for the next workshops at ohelfamily.org/devoted

Since 1969, OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services has served as a dependable haven of individual and family support, helping people of all ages surmount everyday challenges, heal from trauma, and manage with strength and dignity during times of crises. Driven by service excellence, OHEL’s professional staff meet the myriad social service needs of the general community, while at the same time providing culturally-sensitive services to the Jewish community, including Yiddish, Hebrew and Russian speakers. Through highly-rated foster care, developmental disability, mental health, and other programs and services, OHEL provides supportive housing, treatment, care coordination, education, outreach and much more to elevate lives and strengthen individuals and communities in New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, Florida, California and worldwide on the web. David Mandel is the CEO of OHEL.