Becoming a single father has been a major adjustment for Patrick; however, since day one, he has been up to the challenge with the support of The Salvation Army.

Aside from raising his son, Wesley, on his own, Patrick also works full time. To ensure he can be a great parent, he attends the Dads Matter program at The Salvation Army’s Bethany Hope Centre in Ottawa.

So far, the program has helped Patrick gain confidence as a father.

An Enjoyable Atmosphere

“I like the help with raising my son,” Patrick says. “They’ve taught me how to manage my time better and take time for myself. This all helps me focus on becoming a better father.”

Dads Matter incorporates activities such as cooking, games and crafts, as well as group discussions to help fathers adjust to parenthood. It also provides tips and strategies to manage children’s emotions or any other challenges they may face.

“We talk about how to stay calm and how to comfort your child when they are upset,” Patrick adds.

The atmosphere of the program is one of the aspects Patrick enjoys. He likes playing card games and making new friendships. Patrick even reconnected with an old friend from grade school who also attends.

Amazing Support

While Dads Matter runs each Wednesday afternoon, the Bethany Hope Centre offers a variety of parenting programs throughout the week. Patrick is part of a play group in which he gets to spend some time with his son. He believes the activities are helping Wesley’s development.

“He is learning so much from watching other kids. He has learned how to crawl and how to say certain words. He is also learning to play with other children, which is great. He is always happy.”

Looking ahead, as Wesley gets older, Patrick will continue attending Dads Matter. His priority is his son.

“Seeing him grow and learn gives me the motivation and energy to get going all the time.”

The Salvation Army has been a key part of Patrick’s journey as a parent. When Wesley was born, he was hospitalized due to health complications. During this time, Patrick found a safe place within the Bethany Hope Centre.

“They were there for me when I needed someone to talk to,” he remembers.

Patrick is grateful to the staff for all the support he has received.

“I appreciate everything they have done for me; they’ve been amazing.”

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