Good news! GOOD DADS will have a booth at the 143rd Annual Picnic

by Melanie Chance

The Good Dads program will host a booth at the upcoming Annual Picnic. Attendees can learn about the positive impact this program is making in our County. Stop by the booth to hear exciting news and updates about the program. We are now known as the “Good Dads of Cedar County,” announced Cheryl Thornton of Stockton, the organizational director.

Thornton is bringing together two communities by encouraging participation and fostering leadership throughout Cedar County.

The Good Dads program is undergoing a revamp because the state of Missouri acknowledges its high success rate and is fully endorsing it.

Good Dads is a program that supports all fathers in need, including high-risk individuals who have faced challenging life circumstances such as incarceration or substance abuse, leading to their separation from their children.

The program aims to provide a pathway for these fathers to reintegrate into their children’s lives.

With problems of addictions in our County, Thornton and Patricia Hill of El Dorado Springs, who is a part of the administration team, and Ryan Dasso, who is a Good Dads group trainer in both programs, 2.0 Dads and the ‘Within My Reach’ program, will be assisting others as they navigate through the training programs and know the impact of what a program like ‘Good Dads’ brings to a County. ‘More than likely, every County would benefit from the 2.0 program. I’m involved in a Missouri steering committee to provide more substance abuse and mental health treatment for the incarcerated in order to decrease recidivism. In our county meeting, the lack of substance abuse activity showing up in our community when you do research does not reflect what we know. We have a problem with addictions in our County,” said Thornton.

The program, which has been in Stockton for two years, meets at the Family Restoration Center.

Thronton admits getting participants has been a struggle, “The need is present, so we must not give up. I envision restructuring through Good Dads of Cedar County and creating a program tailored to our community. This will enhance our capacity to attract more participants to the groups.”

The administration team is currently looking for community connectors from throughout Cedar County who can identify various agencies and referral sources for Good Dads participants.

“Our goal is for Cedar County, a county with needs, to come together to help restore and support fathers, providing our county’s children with a better childhood,” concluded Thornton.

Visiting the booth from 12 pm to 10 pm during the picnic, with breaks throughout the day, is the first step to getting involved with the Good Dads program. This could involve becoming a volunteer, spreading awareness, or supporting the initiative in other ways. It’s a great opportunity to make a difference in the community and to be part of a program that is dedicated to promoting positive fatherhood and family relationships. To learn more or sign up, visit the “Good Dads” booth at the El Dorado Springs Annual Picnic this weekend, or contact Cheryl Thornton at 417-522-9124 and be sure to pick up The El Dorado Sun for future updates.