Members of the Richland County Coalition on Housing and Homelessness met Wednesday for their monthly meeting. The group, comprised of representatives from several social service agencies, also heard from a volunteer of the Richland County Fatherhood Initiative.
Buddy Workman, a volunteer with the Richland County Fatherhood Initiative, talked about how being a father is one of the most important roles a man can have.
“No man can possibly know what life means – what the world means – until he has a child and loves it. Then, the whole universe changes and nothing will ever seem as it did before,” said Workman.
Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron and Richland Counties Inc. was awarded a $10,000 seed grant from the Ohio Fatherhood Initiative for Richland county. There has been a collaboration between CACEHR, Mansfield City Schools and The Ohio State University – Mansfield and many other agencies to find out what barriers keep men from being fathers to their children and getting them the resources and/or training, and the education needed for them to succeed as men and fathers.
“The Richland County fatherhood initiative is my passion,” said Workman. “The Ohio Commission on Fatherhood states that a program needs a true, passionate champion and somehow I’ve fallen into that role.”
Workman then explained to the group that he was raised by his mother and that his father was never involved in his life. He recalled the only memory of his father was when he was sent a message, while serving in the military, via the Red Cross to make funeral arrangements for his father because he was the only next of kin. These life events, as well as others, have all played a role into where he is today, Workman said.
“It kind of brings me full circle when (I was asked) to speak at the Richland County Coalition on Housing and Homelessness meeting,” he said.
Workman then gave some startling facts about fatherhood and homelessness.
“Forty-three percent of homeless males have children under the age of 18,” he said. “Where’s the men at that are helping their children?”
Once being a single father of two boys, Workman said helping lead the local fatherhood initiative comes from his passionate core of being a great father.
Members of the coalition then gave updates on their respective agencies.
The Richland County Coalition on Housing and Homelessness is an association of broad community membership engaged in addressing the housing needs of the community.
Local agencies represented at the meeting were Volunteers of America, Harmony House, the Domestic Violence Shelter, Parent Aide, Catholic Charities, Richland County Foundation, Mansfield City Schools, Area Agency on Aging District 5, Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron and Richland counties, Inc., 211 and The Center.
“No man can possibly know what life means – what the world means – until he has a child and loves it. Then, the whole universe changes and nothing will ever seem as it did before,” said Buddy Workman.
