Our Impact

Two Different Impact Stories from the F.I.T. Dad Program:

Highlighting : Michael Traywick

Tell us a little bit about your background and how you grew up.

My father passed away when I was very young (three to be exact). My mom remarried when I was five. I was raised by my mom and stepdad. He was pretty hard on me but I think he loved me. I called him dad because he was the only dad I knew. I was never really close to him and now I have no contact with him. For the most part I had a pretty good childhood. My mom was the primary parental influence in my childhood. She loves and prays for me every day. Were it not for her I do not know where I would be now

 

How did you wind up in the F.I.T. DAD Program?

I was out of work and got behind in my child support. This got me in trouble with the courts and got me thrown in jail once. I was standing in front of Dick Bell trying to explain that I was looking for work but could not find any. He said “I am going to introduce you to Ward Williams and he is going to get your mind right”. I had no idea what that meant. But I was not going to jail.

 

What issues do you think led you to this place?

Three years ago I would have answered this question differently. But now I think that selfishness, frustration and bad decisions brought me to this place.

 

How was the program different from you were expecting?

I thought it was going to be a “bash me” class. But I soon realized that the program was very helpful to me. It did get my mind right. It helped me see a different angle of my problems.

 

How were you when you finished the program? Did you feel that it helped you and if so, in what specific ways?

I finally felt for the first time that there was hope. I felt like I was not alone in this. I felt like I was making progress. I met many other guys that were going through the same things I was going through. I wanted to keep coming.

 

When & Why did you decide to get involved in giving back to the program?

The night I graduated I promised Ward I was going to continue to attend. It helped me so much that want it to keep going. I want to help other guys in my same situation. I want to break this cycle of families falling apart. I do not want my children to be in this situation when they grow up.

 

How is your life now after the program and getting involved so much in it again?

I feel like I have learned so much from the program and the other guys in it. Every time I go I learn something

If you could say anything to the fathers out there that might need to enter this program, what would it be?

Open up and give it a chance. You will not regret it. In the three years I have been involved I have never met a dad that did not love his children. This program helps you become the best dad you can possibly be.

 

What about to the custodial mothers?

Please remember that no matter what has happened your children need their dad.

 

And to the children?

We are not perfect. This is not what we planned. But if your dad is in this program he will get the tools he needs to be the best dad he can.

 

Lastly, what would you like to share about to those who may want to sow into VFS?

What is more important than our children? They need us to teach, guide and care for them. This organization is committed to rebuilding those bridges we have burnt and providing families with the tools they need to make that happen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impact Story

From the F.I.T. DAD Program

 

Highlighting: Jim Norwood

 

Tell us a little bit about your background and how you grew up.

I grew up in Judson, Alabama. My father and mother worked in the church. They were awesome people, growing up. They raised me and my brothers well. We weren’t the richest people but weren’t the poorest either. They taught us a lot about family values.

How did you end up in the F.I.T. DAD Program?

I ended up in the Fit DAD program because I got behind paying child support for my youngest son. It was a blessing to come into to Ward’s program. It has helped me out tremendously with my sons and the relationship with my wife.

What issues do you think led you to this place?

My mindset. It was just ignorance- not really stepping up to my ‘manhood’ responsibilities.

Do you feel like the program has helped you and if so, in what specific ways?

It has helped me tremendously. I love Ward. I love how he presents himself. This program has helped me realize [directed to himself]: ‘grow up and be a man. Let’s be men. Our children need us out here.’

With the present relationship with wife- she has kids too- I can see the pain. They made me step up and be more responsible- fatherwise, husbandwise, householdwise. Just to be a man.

How is your life now after the program?

Change! A whole mindset change of being man. My definition of being man before and my definition of being a man now has done a 360…

Because of how I see it now. It’s not: ‘well I work.’ No. To be a man is to work but also be there physically, mentally, and emotionally for your children and for everyone involved in your household.

If you could say anything to the fathers out there that might need to enter this program, what would it be?

Please… Do it out of your own will. Don’t have the court force you into the program… It will give you the motivation, and knowledge to know how to step up and be a man.

If you’re like me… As men, we feel that our pride is attacked. Look up and realize that you need a little help. Maybe you didn’t have that motivation as a child…from a father. Still, you need to step up and really be there for your child.

What about to the custodial mothers?

Mothers, we love you. You are the best women out there. We understand the pain and suffering that you go through. I apologize to both of my sons’ mothers. I have love for y’all. We always have a bond that we share with our sons

Mothers- please, work with the men if they’re workable. I have tremendous respect to all the mothers out there for what they do because it’s hard… It’s really hard.

And to the children?

I love you- all the kids. God loves you. To the children out there- keep your eyes up to the sky. Change will come. Your Father will be there. Your Father loves you.

Lastly, what would you like to share about to those who may want to contribute to VFS?

This program will help out the community, especially the African American community. We need this program to get young men in here who have children that think that kids are raised on air alone.

To give motivation.

It would be very beneficial. Teach men how to be men. To really look at their kids. This is my child. It is my responsibility to raise this child. Let me just get a job. If I have to work at McDonald’s or Burger King or Jackson’s somewhere. To do what I need to do to raise my child.