More than a century ago, Sonora Louis Smart Dodd aspired to create a holiday to honor fathers. Dodd, the daughter of a single father and Civil War veteran, was inspired by a Mother’s Day sermon and wondered why there was no holiday for fathers. After securing support from ministers in Spokane, Wash., her idea came to fruition with the first Father's Day celebration at the Spokane YMCA on June 19, 1910.
On Sunday, June 16, the Hockomock Area YMCA joins the nation in celebrating Father’s Day by recognizing the impact fathers and adult male role models make in children’s lives. Nationally, one out of three children lives in a home without their biological father, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And, societal factors such as unemployment, work-life balance or a lack of resources can affect fathers’ ability to seek support in strengthening their parenting skills and more fully engaging in the lives of their children. The Hockomock Area Y remains dedicated to providing resources and opportunities for fathers to further involve themselves in the well-being and development of their children.
“Father’s Day reminds us why it’s important to provide fathers with the support they need to be the best parents and caregivers they can be,” says Ed Hurley, president of the Hockomock Area YMCA.
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| Father and son duo Frank and Nathan enjoy a moment together at last year’s Hockomock Area YMCA Integration Initiative Golf Clinic hosted by TPC Boston. |
Studies show that children with close relationships with their fathers and other adult male role models have more self-confidence and exhibit less depression, perform better academically and engage in significantly less drug and alcohol use.
The Hockomock Area YMCA offers a variety of programs that foster understanding and companionship between children and their caregivers such as parent-child aquatics, dance, enrichment, gymnastics, and sports classes as well as our community garden family share program in the town of Mansfield to name a few. We also offer a myriad of sports leagues and encourage parents/caregivers to volunteer as coaches to reinforce our core values – caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility – that unite us with a common cause of strengthening families and communities.
To learn more about programs and activities available at the Hockomock Area YMCA, visit
hockymca.org.
Photo caption: Father and son duo Frank and Nathan enjoy a moment together at last year’s Hockomock Area YMCA Integration Initiative Golf Clinic hosted by TPC Boston. This year’s clinics will be held on July 15 and August 5.
About The Hockomock Area YMCA
The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. At the Y, strengthening community is its cause. Every day, the Y works side-by-side with its neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn and grow.For more information about the Hockomock Area YMCA, please visit
www.hockymca.org.
