Dads mobilizing to start school year right in Philadelphia and nationwide

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Councilman Curtis Jones and David Fattah of the House of Umoja talk about the Million Father March (Tom MacDonald/WHYY)

Councilman Curtis Jones and David Fattah of the House of Umoja talk about the Million Father March (Tom MacDonald/WHYY)

What began as a march of protest is transforming into an annual push to have Philadelphia dads walk their children to school Wednesday next week. 

The Million Father March is encouraging fathers to take their sons and daughters to school on the first day of classes in Philadelphia on September 7.  David Fattah of the House of Umoja is the nationwide sponsor of the event which has spread far beyond the city.

“The thought behind it is to increase parental involvement in the schools,” Fattah said.

Councilman Curtis Jones is a major supporter of the effort.

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“What we want to do is encourage fathers and male role models to pick a child, your child hopefully or a neighbor’s child and help them for the first day at least of school to let them know that we see you we want you to be successful and when fathers are involved in children’s lives all of the outcomes are better,” Jones said.

He says involved dads are a big help when boys have questions they don’t feel comfortable asking their mom.

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