“It is a pride to be a father. It is also a happiness when a child comes into your life”, said Kevin Báez.
For Kevin Báez, there is a before and after after the arrival of his daughter Daphne. The girl was born three years ago when he was 24, without having been able to start any study or finish high school.
“I didn’t care about my studies, I used to hang out with bad friends, but when you grow up you realize that in life you always need to study and you need to have something so that you can teach your children that they can do it too, so like you could,” Kevin added.
Several months ago, Kevin, from Mexico City, began taking classes at the ‘Fatherhood Academy Program’, or CUNY Academy Program to be a Father at Laguardia Community College, one of the three venues for the course.
The program offers free GED or high school diploma preparation to young parents in the city’s five boroughs, especially African American and Latino parents.
The program, founded in 2012, lasts between 3 to 4 months, is a hybrid between virtual and face-to-face, and prepares parents not only in basic subjects such as math and science, but also in aspects such as managing emotions, how to communicate better, necessary growth to be a good dad.
“We focus on education, employability and personal development, the latter we consider one of the most important aspects of the program,” explained David Speal, CUNY Academic Program Specialist, Academy to be a Parent. “All the students are parents so they can relate in similar circumstances and when they get together here they find a safe space to express themselves, they get to build for themselves and also as a group. They create a brotherhood.”
“We make an intergenerational approach in the program because we serve the father and therefore the whole family,” added Speal.
“This program has changed my life because it has helped me, it has educated me to be a better person, at work, how to speak better. And yes, it helps you to have many advantages, it tells you about school, that you can pursue a career, the one you want and it helps you a lot”, Kevin said.
The program runs year-round in Queens, Brooklyn, and The Bronx, for young parents ages 18-30. For an application, visit the website Laguardia.edu
