Agency Profile

     The Fathers Support Center St. Louis (FSC) was incorporated as a federal 501(c)3 organization on December 10, 1997.  When FSC opened its doors in May 1998 this agency was the first organization of its kind in the State of Missouri and remains the primary organization within St. Louis to provide a comprehensive array of services for men.  FSC is recognized nationally as an authority on father involvement and has received a number of awards including the:

• “What’s Right in the Region Award”, presented by Focus St. Louis in 2001
• “Courage in Action Practitioner Award”, presented by the National Practitioners Network for Fathers and Families in Washington, D.C. in 2002
• “Exemplary Service to the Community Award”, presented by The George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in 2003
•  “Outstanding Community Service Award”, presented by North County Cares in 2004
• “The Governors Award for Service Excellence”, presented by the Governor of The State of Missouri, Division of Workforce Development in 2008

     In 2009,  FSC was also asked to lend their expertise as a collaborator with the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis and the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta to participate in a 4 year research project that will measure the effectiveness of parenting curriculums on the reduction of child abuse and maltreatment. And the FSC was to lend their hand in the development of a  Fatherhood Tool Kit for the National Head Start Association.    

        Since its inception, FSC has served more than 3,297 fathers and their families (including 7,175 children), transitioning the nonparticipating father to a position of involvement and equity in the life of his child (over 2,300 of those served have child support orders and 65% or 1,495 were either ex-offenders or had long histories of incarceration - the cost per client to complete FSC program is $4,500 per year compared to $16,000 per year for incarceration).  FSC has experienced continued success in the three primary areas of father involvement, i.e., 70% employment placement rate, a 72% job retention rate, a 72% participation rate for fathers being financially supportive of their children and an 80% interaction with children rate.  FSC provides a comprehensive, holistic fatherhood development project.  Adult clients participate in four programs: The Employment Development and Placement Program, Family Formation Program, the Legal Clinic and Fathers’ Rap Program.  Activities include: parenting education, child abuse prevention training, conflict resolution skills training, job placement, job retention skills training, support groups, counseling, father/child bonding activities, visitation advocacy, placement with mentors and male healthcare education and legal services.

     FSC uses a variety of approaches and a professional staff comprised of both academic professionals and program graduates-turned-facilitators to guide fathers through a process of change.  FSC is a non-profit organization and receives funding support on the local, state and federal levels to support the goals and objectives of the organization.  In addition, FSC enjoys a significant and supportive donor base from the community, receives funding support from St. Louis area foundations and corporations, and FSC is a United Way Member Agency and a Deaconess Impact Partner.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 

President
Aurita PrinceCaldwell

Vice President

Kirksy Williams

Secretary
Ernestine  Thomas                                                                             CPA-Treasurer
William K. Delabar                                                                          

Past President
Doris Stoehner    

                                                                                                    Gwendolyn Bogan
GeraldBowen                                                                                  Mary Britt

JamesBuford                                                                                    
DennisBuhr                                                                                      Lisa Cannovo
Johnathon Dobson 

DonDurham                                                                

LeslieFarr                                                                       ElizabethHerring                                                                                            

Rev. Edward Murphy
James Murphy
JohnSchicker                                                                            

Brian Shaw 

Deborha Smith
Ruth Smith
Nina Thompson
Karla V. Townson

Advisory Board
Sue Breslauer
Sr. Loretto Gettemeier, D.C.
Donald Kwasa
Dr. Nancy Vosler, PhD

Chief Executive Officer

Halbert Sullivan, MSW

Managing Director
Cheri D. Tillis, MS

Our Goals  

• Prepare fathers to become financially responsible, emotionally involved and spiritually sensitive parents.
• Help fathers to obtain the skills necessary to gain and maintain steady employment.
• Help both parent in developing skills and behaviors, which foster the well being of their children
• Set the foundation for youth to develop into responsible adults.