Dressed in formal cap and gown,  Keith Tilton strolls across the stage, smiling, confident and proud, to accept his high school diploma, while his girlfriend and family applaud with pride from the front row.

Hundreds of young women have been through the doors of The Salvation Army’s Grace Haven facility in Hamilton, Ont., during its 128-year history. In all those years of assisting young parents and parents-to-be, there has never been a dad enrolled in any Grace Haven program, ever. 

That all changed this past June, when 20-year-old Keith accepted that valued piece of paper, making him the first ever “Grad Dad” at Grace Haven, which provides education instruction, case management, supportive counselling, life skills and caregiving training, child-development resources, and parent readiness classes for young and expecting moms, and now, dads.  Grace Haven programs place a strong emphasis on the overall personal development, health and wellness of participants. 

“If you have the right support, you can do anything that you put your mind to. I’m proud of what I accomplished. I love my daughter and I graduated high school,” Keith says.

Innovative, Relevant, Inclusive

As a 16-year-old Grade 10 student, Keith and his then-girlfriend were expecting his now three-year-old daughter, Rosalie, born in March 2021. Keith left high school to start working to provide stability and financial support for his new family. He wished for nothing more than to ensure a good life for Rosalie.

“Being so young, I kind of realized that if I'm going to do this, then I have to put all my focus on doing it right,” Keith says. “When I found out I was having a daughter, I really wanted to step up and take the next step in life, support my daughter and be there for her.”

His former girlfriend, the mother of his child, told Keith about Grace Haven, as she also graduated from the high school program.

When the staff first met Keith, there were no resources available in the community for a male student, but Grace Haven made the decision to quickly adapt, creating progressive programs that work for a young dad.

“We have evolved to offer ground-breaking programs and services that were not available in the community before,” says Stephanie Amos, program manager at Grace Haven. “We are the only agency in Hamilton providing remote education for young parents and, without that availability, Keith would not have graduated from high school.”

Grace Haven partners with the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board, which provides three board certified teachers to guide both moms and dads through their studies, while ensuring nurturing care and supports for the participants’ young children. 

“Grace Haven has always been about mom and baby. To be relevant today, we must have innovative programs that are inclusive of fathers,” Stephanie says. 

Progress and Evolution

Over the years, the agency has moved from a residential model to a day-program service, an evolution that continues with online virtual learning and away from a traditional, in-person style of education and instruction, though that is still available through printed lessons and one-on-one teaching for students. 

“We made a commitment several years ago to renew our mission, rejuvenate and redesign to enhance our services and create the best possible opportunities for parents and children we support,” Stephanie explains.

The shift to remote learning started during the COVID-19 pandemic and remains a popular and preferred study method for students who feel very comfortable with being online. Enrolment numbers at Grace Haven are on the increase, a rise which Stephanie attributes to the agency’s creative use of technology for education.

Grace Haven is currently assisting 79 clients—40 adults and 39 children—in a variety of programs and services for adults and kids.

“We now have students reaching out and other agencies referring clients to us, so our numbers have gone up significantly as a result,” Stephanie goes on to say. “Those agencies have witnessed the progress made by Grace Haven and now many are taking steps to include dads in their programs.”

“A Better Future”

The small but mighty two-person 2024 graduating class also included 19-year-old Kalthar Ismail, who completed her high school education while caring for her 11-month-old daughter, Amira.

“Life for me today has me proud and happy for me and my baby,” Kalthar says, “because what I thought not possible for me turned out to be possible.”

Grace Haven’s flexible and innovative teaching methods catered to her individual learning style, and she is thankful for the teacher who helped her through a curriculum that she felt would be too challenging. 

“Grace Haven provided me with help, support and hope. My goals are to keep learning and studying,” Kalthar says. “I will have my chance to do more with my life and build a better future for my daughter.”

Pride and Commitment

Last year, 18 students took part in Grace Haven’s high school education program. Stephanie says Keith has paved the way forward for male participants in all day programs.

There was lots of good-natured ribbing about Keith being the only male in the program in a class of 10 women. Kimberley Norgate, young parent program liaison at Grace Haven, would joke with him, “If you leave the seat up in the bathroom, they’re going to know who it was.”

Keith took it all in stride, replying, “It’s OK, Kim. I grew up with all sisters, so I know what to do.”

Stephanie says the 2024 graduating class continues Grace Haven’s long tradition of student success stories.

“Keith and Kalthar are a testament to perseverance and dedication. High school is a challenge for any teenager, but when you’re a parent, it’s even more challenging due to the additional stresses of being a young parent,” Stephanie says.

“They both faced many obstacles; they did not give up, and we’re extremely proud of their commitment to providing for themselves and their children.” 

Chris McGregor is a content marketing specialist for The Salvation Army’s Ontario Division.

Photos: Kathryn Goegan

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