MILWAUKEE -- The 11th annual "Fatherhood Summit" kicked off Friday at Greater New Birth Church in Milwaukee.
"We know that fathers are the root and the foundation to families and strong communities, and we want to make sure we are contributing to the effort to show support for them," said Dennis Walton of the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative.
The city and county collaborated with a host of organizations to help dads become better parents.
Mayor Tom Barrett said the event has connected more than 11,000 men to important services.
"What it's all about is making sure men are connected with kids, jobs, health care and getting their drivers license back," Barrett said.
The free event helps mend deal with everything from transportation to child support.
"When dads get engaged with their kids, those kids are more likely to stay in school, more likely to graduate, more likely to get a job and less likely to have a brush with the law," Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele said.
Abele said there are more employers at the event this year than ever before. Those looking for work could get professional advice from companies.
"It's all about presentation and the way that you carry yourself," said Darren Welch of Gibralter Industries. "If your're dressed to impress and dressed to look for a career, those are the qualities that we at Gibraltar industries look for."
Hopefully through the Fatherhood Summit, dads with challenges will find solutions to be the best parent they can be.
"It's really a good community building day and I think it strengthens these men at the same time," Barrett said.
