|
by Claudio E. Cabrera
Juan Perez, one of 12 fathers honored on Fri., June 18, didn’t know what to say.
“I never knew there were groups in our community who acknowledged the job fathers do for their own children and those of others in this area. I'm speechless,” he said.
He wasn’t alone.
On a sweltering Fri., June 18, over 100 people jam packed the Isabella Geriatric Center in Washington Heights for the second annual Father’s Day Celebration thrown by the Washington Heights-Inwood Coalition.
Many of the 12 fathers who were honored by WHIC's Parent Resource Center couldn't muster up the words to describe how they were feeling either.
But the tears in the eyes of many of these fathers told the whole story.
“To receive this award tonight among my fellow neighbors was great. It really touched me,” said Nelson Cisneros, a lifelong Washington Heights resident and father of one.
While the crowd was much older, the energy of the little kids running around transferred to many of the parents in attendance.
“We are here tonight to praise the work of many of the fathers in our community. Not only for the work they do with their own children, but those of others who may not have that father figure around,” said Ana Lopez, director of WHIC.
Her organization provides families with an array of services like support groups, counseling, arts and craft classes and English as a Second Language workshops.
Some men in the audience, like Ramon Corporan, are single fathers.
“It’s been tough as a single parent, but I’ve been blessed with some great kids who are very responsible. Even though they’re responsible, I am a father to them everyday because no matter how old they get, I still look at them as my little babies.”
Unfortunately, in Washington Heights and Inwood, there are many fathers who don’t play a day-to-day role in their children’s lives, and the effects of that absence can be seen through so many different facets of our community.
“It saddens me that there are so many children out there without a father,” said Domingo Perez, the father of a young teenage girl. “The damage that can occur to a kid’s psyche is substantial when a parent isn’t around.”
Growing up fatherless is something Richard Perez knows all too well. A lifelong Inwood resident, Perez, who has a six-year-old son, recently decided that he wanted to help fathers in the neighborhood come together to learn more about parenting and explore areas of the city they’ve never seen before with his Father’s Club, which operates in conjunction with WHIC.
“I felt this club was necessary. Not only to find local father to mentor children from single households, but to also help fathers become better parents,” said Perez. “Many of the fathers in our neighborhood stay put in the Heights or Inwood. Our goal is to show them that there’s so many beautiful things they haven't seen in this city with their children.”
Being a father is an everyday job that never ends whether your children are infants or just graduating from college. Many of the fathers in attendance acknowledged that the job is easier when they have another player on their team.
“I want to thank my wife because raising a family is a job that's made so much easier with a partner by your side,” said police officer Francisco Rijo. “This award belongs as much to you as it does to me. I remember all the times when I had no idea how to change diapers or comb my child’s hair. Luckily, my daughter never went out looking like a mess,” said Rijo, to a round of knowing laughter.
But the sweetest words of appreciation came from the children.
“It’s great that my dad is here and I'm glad I can show him how much I appreciate everything he's done for me,” said Stefanie Mena, 22. “A photo in a newspaper will show everyone one of the best fathers in our neighborhood.”
To learn more about local programs for fathers, contact the Washington Heights-Inwood Coalition at 212-781-6722.
|
