Larry Woody, a longtime leader and former program manager of Focus on Fathers (FOF), spoke with Positively Philly’s Rachel Malak and Abby Urban to discuss FOF’s work to empower fathers and the launch of its new podcast, Focus on Fathers: Dads Supporting Dads.
FOF, a program of PHMC subsidiary Health Promotion Council, strives to help fathers maintain a healthy and positive involvement in their children’s lives. The program offers free parenting classes, healthy relationship education courses, case management services and other supports to empower fathers ages 18 years and older.
During his interview with Positively Philly, Larry explained that a major goal of the program is to help dads understand their value. Fathers often face cultural and societal messages that position them as secondary to their children’s lives. These perceptions are reinforced by family dynamics, family court experiences and media portrayals. Larry discussed how FOF reminds men that their children need them and encourages them to not be intimidated by fatherhood.
Larry also talked about how the Focus on Fathers: Dads Supporting Dads podcast is a space created by men, for men – where fathers and subject matter experts share insights and personal stories on parenting, relationships and personal growth. He explained that men feel a strong need for a place where they can open up and learn from other men. Episodes cover topics that men encounter in everyday life, including mental health, navigating custody and more.
Tune in and subscribe to Focus on Fathers: Dads Supporting Dads on YouTube and Spotify, and visit focusonfathers.phmc.org to learn more about FOF.
Positively Philly is a weekday morning lifestyle show on PHL17 and highlights local stories from residents, small businesses and events in the Philadelphia region. Watch Larry’s interview on Positively Philly’s website.
