BELLEFONTAINE NEIGHBORS — Fathers don’t always get the appreciation they deserve. Riverview Gardens wants to change that.
Throughout October, leaders of the north St. County school district will host a series of “fathers walks” to celebrate strong male role models in students’ lives.
The concept is simple but could have a profound impact on students, school leaders said. Fathers play a big role in reading and development, and children do better academically when they have a reliable father figure, Director of Early Childhood Education E’Mita Williams said.
“Fathers are very important to the community, to the schools,” Williams said. “In order for children to thrive in a holistic manner, they need fathers.”
“We want to make sure that they know that we appreciate them, we see them,” Te’Ara Arman, family engagement specialist for Riverview Gardens, said.
The walking route stretched about a quarter mile along St. Cyr Road and the parking lot of the Michelle Obama Early Childhood Academic Center. Seven dads and a great-grandad took part.
Deavion Collins and A’aron Simmons, brothers with sons, ages 3 and 4, were the first to arrive for a “fathers walk” at the center. It was 6:45 a.m. and the sun had hardly come up, but they were ready to go.
The brothers said being strong male role models for their sons was important to them because their own father was incarcerated during their childhoods.
“It’s good to shine a light on the fathers, too,” Collins said. “Especially the active fathers, because it’s easy for dads not to be around.”
Artez Davis walked with his 4-year-old daughter, Ali Davis.
“Any kind of activity they have, I try to be present because I know that fathers help make a difference,” Artez Davis said.
Robert Hurst just wanted to show his great-grandson, Adonis Boone, 3, that he supported him.
“His dad is incarcerated,” Hurst said. “His mother, I help her out a lot.”
Four more fathers walks will occur this month, ending at Riverview Gardens High School on the morning of Oct. 30.
James Wiggins holds his son Jaylen Wiggins, 4, right, as Daevion Collins, 4, far left, and A’aron Simmons, Jr., 3, look on following their first Fathers Walk at Michelle Obama Early Childhood Academic Center in Bellefontaine Neighbors on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. The walk series, promoting positive male role models in the Riverview Gardens School District, will be held at various schools on Wednesday mornings in October.
Dwight Westerfield holds his daughter Londyn Westerfield, 4, as they join A’aron Simmons, Sr., right, with his son A’aron Simmons, Jr., 3, during a “Fathers Walk” at Michelle Obama Early Childhood Academic Center in Bellefontaine Neighbors on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. It was the first in a series of walks designed to promote positive male role models in the Riverview Gardens School District, which will be held at various schools during October.
Isaiah Blalock visits with his daughter Isabella Blalock, 4, as they eat donuts following their first Fathers Walk at Michelle Obama Early Childhood Academic Center in Bellefontaine Neighbors on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. The walk series, promoting positive male role models in the Riverview Gardens School District, will be held at various schools on Wednesday mornings in October.
Isaiah Blalock visits with his daughter Isabella Blalock, 4, as they share a treat following a “Fathers Walk” at Michelle Obama Early Childhood Academic Center in Bellefontaine Neighbors on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. It was the first in a series of walks designed to promote positive male role models in the Riverview Gardens School District, which will be held at various schools during October. For more, please see our story on Page A3.
James Wiggins holds his son Jaylen Wiggins, 4, right, as they are joined by Isaiah Blalock and his daughter Isabella Blalock, 4, following their first Fathers Walk at Michelle Obama Early Childhood Academic Center in Bellefontaine Neighbors on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. The walk series, promoting positive male role models in the Riverview Gardens School District, will be held at various schools on Wednesday mornings in October.
Daevion Collins, Sr., left, and his son Daevion Collins, Jr., 4, join James Wiggins with his son Jaylen Wiggins, 4, during the first Fathers Walk at Michelle Obama Early Childhood Academic Center in Bellefontaine Neighbors on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. The walk series, promoting positive male role models in the Riverview Gardens School District, will be held at various schools on Wednesday mornings in October.