Leading the Fathers and Father Figures
As Father’s Day approaches, we wanted to reshare this interview that was posted on our IHSD website with Charlie Cervantes, our Family & Father Engagement Specialist. This interview took place in February 2019.
Charlie Cervantes (left) stands with Dr James Rodriguez (middle), CEO and founder of Fathers & Families Coalition of America, and former parent Jonathan Mcgee (right) at a workshop event.
Izzi Early Education (formerly IHSD): First off, how did you start working for IHSD?
Charlie: I started working in 2001 through Child Care Careers as an aid. I started as an aid for about a year and then became a permanent employee in 2002 as an assistant teacher. I worked my way through Fair Oaks, Half Moon Bay, San Mateo, East Palo Alto, and Home Based program as a home visitor for seven years. In 2015, I became a family advocate for our East Palo Alto site and helped the father engagement program.
I: What can you tell us about the Father Figure Cafes?
C: Father Figure Cafe is a physically and emotionally safe space where father figures talk about the challenges and victories of raising a family. They explore their strengths, learn about the five protective factors, and create strategies from their own wisdom and experience to help strengthen their families.
I: What is the goal of the Father Figure Cafes?
C: Father figures leave Father Figure Cafés feeling inspired, energized, and excited to put into practice what they learned. The goal of Father Figure Cafés is to create an intimate environment where father figures can share and support each other as a strategy for strengthening families.
I: How did Father Figures Cafe start?
C: We noticed a need. We saw that moms were involved in everything. Very Female dominated. We wanted to make dads feel welcomed and create a warm inviting environment. I worked with Dalenna (former IHSD Director of Program Services and Quality) to get a grant through The Big Lift to do a community cafe. We were the first ones in San Mateo County to do a Father Figures Cafe as an agency.
I: What are the challenges to having a Father Figures Cafe in the community?
C: Every guy has a different schedule. Some of our guys have two to three different jobs or even taking double shifts, so it’s hard to get good attendance. We want everyone to be able to participate. But once their in, they’re in. And then, they want to have it on a monthly schedule.
I: Sounds like a high demand! Are you a father figure yourself?
C: Yes, very high demand. And yes, I am a dad of a 15 year old girl, 12 year old boy, and a 5 year old boy. So the personal experiences I learn with them, I have the honor to share them with the other dads. It’s important to get ideas from each other and build a network.
I: Can you share with us a most rewarding experience?
C: It’s rewarding to connect the dads in the community, and let them know that they’re not alone. We have two dads that graduated from our IHSD program in 2016 but continue to be table hosts and leaders. I can’t explain the feelings. Just to see the outcome of the cafes. And to see them continue to come when they don’t have an obligation to the program any more, that’s very rewarding to me. This is why I continue to work with and advocate for father figures and families. I’m thankful for IHSD giving me the opportunity to do so.
Thank you Charlie for sharing with us and Happy Father’s Day to you and the rest of our father figure community!
