Philly’s light-hearted events about the serious work of fathers

Philadelphia’s Father’s Day Rally Committee will be organizing a series of events this week, in the hope of bringing more recognition to fatherhood as well as showing support to fathers.

The Committee has prepared a wide range of events in the city, from light hearted activities to tough conversations about fatherhood.

Bilal Qayyum, President of the Committee, explained that the it was formed 29 years ago to recognize and focus on the hard work that fathers do. He says sometimes, fathers don’t receive the same kind of appreciation that mothers do.

“Fathers are almost like forgotten individuals in our society,” he said.

This year, for the first time the Committee is joining hands with other fatherhood groups and organizations in the city. For example, The Strong Families Commission will be sponsoring a panel discussion on men who have experienced family disruption.

“Sixty percent of families in the city of Philadelphia live in a single parent household,” said Dr. Rufus Lynch, chair of the commission. “Typically, that is moms only or the maternal side of the family. Fathers are, unfortunately, not enough there.”

Another organization working with the committee aims to tackle the issue of self-esteem in young girls and women by organizing the 9^th Annual Daddy-Daughter Dance. Daddy University, a company that tries to teach dads parenting skills, is behind this dance. They hope it will help fathers play a crucial role in building their daughters’ self-esteem.

The events will begin on Sunday June 10 and run through Sunday June 17, 2018.

The full list of events is as follows:

• Sunday June 10: There will be a sermon on the importance of fathers at Mt. Airy Church of God, 6401 Ogontz Ave.
• Monday June 11: Father’s Photoshoot on the front steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
• Tuesday, June 12: A panel hosted by The Strong Families Commission on “Voices of men who have experienced family disruption,” at Belmont Mansion, 200 Belmont Mansion Drive.
• Wednesday, June 13: The Committee’s annual awards ceremony and reception at The View, 800 N. Broad St.
• Thursday, June 14: The Fathers United Walk starting at Broad St. and Susquehanna St. and ending at Broad St. and JFK Blvd.
• Friday, June 15: Movie night: Where is Daddy? At The View, 800 N. Broad St.
• Saturday June 16: Daddy University’s Annual Daddy-Daughter Dance at Sugar House Event Center, 1001 E. Delaware Ave.
• Sunday June 17: Father’s Day Picnic at Belmont Picnic Grove, Belmont Mansion & Chamounix drives.