By Reverend Sky Starr

Fathers Across Cultures (FAC) will host its 6th Annual “Celebrating Fatherhood” event on Saturday, June 20th, 2015. As a subsidiary program of Out Of Bounds (OOB), FAC provide services to fathers, mentors and young men who are potential fathers-to-be.

Launched in June 2009, this community-led initiative aims to empower men from all ethnicities. The program identifies the need for positive male role models, which helps to strengthen the family system as well as minimize violence in the community.

Research indicates that a strong male influence in a child’s life is invaluable, irreplaceable and necessary for children, families and community. Many agree that positive male role models has a profound positive and physiological effect through adolescence and into adulthood.

FAC programs educate fathers, mentors and fathers-to-be on the importance of their involvement through a QUIRL concept of Q- quality, U-unity, I-integrity, R-responsibility and L-leadership. Participants are empowered to enhance their innate capabilities as leaders and potential fathers.

Rev. Sky Starr, founder and executive director believes that “in order to strengthen our families and community, we must empower our young men and fathers.”

FAC events feature celebrities and local talents to encourage and celebrate men, families and the community. Artists like Jully Black, JRDN and Liberty Silver have graced FAC’s stage.

Al St. Louis, a Jane and Finch native returns as host, while singer and producer Carlos Morgan another native to the Downsview neighbourhood joins previous celebrities.

A key highlight is FAC’s Poetry Contest, where students write a poem or prose about the best dad, stepdad, grandfather, guardian or mentor they’ve had. The winner’s family receives free tickets to attend the event. The subject of the winning poem is recognized as “father of the year,” while the student gets to read their piece during the event.

This family affair is open to all men and families across cultures in the GTA.

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