Foundation Celebrates Ten Years of the Fatherhood Initiative

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, today, celebrates ten years of the Fatherhood Initiative, a statewide initiative working to strengthen relationships between low-income fathers and their families in South Carolina. On December 15, 1998, the Foundation first funded grassroots fatherhood programs through its Fatherhood Initiative.

In 2002, the Foundation established the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families, a non-profit organization which develops and supports a statewide infrastructure that strengthens relationships between fathers and families throughout South Carolina. By guiding and supporting local fatherhood programs providing services in job readiness and employment, parenting, legal education and personal development and by promoting father-friendly policies and practices, the Center helps fathers re-engage with their children and overcome the barriers that prevent them from being better providers. The South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families currently provides ongoing leadership, resource development and support raising and leveraging funds and other resources for six fatherhood programs, serving 12 locations throughout the state.

Since 1998, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina has invested more than $16.5 million in the Fatherhood Initiative. Looking at results from 2003-2008, 1,167 fathers received assistance with transportation, 1,527 fathers received job readiness assistance and 883 received job skills training. Additionally, 1,092 fathers participated in the Alternative to Incarceration component of a fatherhood program in lieu of incarceration for nonpayment of child support resulting in: more than $8 million saved in incarceration costs, $1,985,431 paid in child support and $460,692 paid in arrears.

More importantly, 6,455 fathers were served from 2003-2008 and 12,040 children’s lives were touched, making this investment on fathers worthy and impactful on families and poverty in South Carolina.

Patricia Littlejohn Receives Fatherhood Initiative Leadership Award

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina and the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families honored Patricia Littlejohn with its Fatherhood Initiative Leadership Award at its annual Fatherhood and Family Christmas Luncheon earlier this month.

Patricia Littlejohn, interim executive director of the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families, is the first recipient of the Fatherhood Initiative Leadership Award. The award, created at the tenth anniversary of the Foundation’s Fatherhood Initiative, is given to an individual in recognition of their exemplary service and ongoing commitment to the Initiative.

“Pat’s compassion, dedication and concern for fathers and their children is unparalleled,” said Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina Executive Director Tom Keith. “Her talent, experience and ongoing advocacy for low-income fathers and their families has contributed to the overall success of the fatherhood movement in South Carolina.”

Pictured: Patricia Littlejohn accepts the Fatherhood Initiative Leadership Award at the annual luncheon.