G E N ERAT IO N SEquipping Fathers,Empowering FamiliesOur newsletter is pub bimonthly schedule, relea day of each even-numb Micheal Paz, a Los Angeles native with Cuban and Salvadoran heritage, is building astrong foundation in Indianapolis. Seeking a greater sense of community andadditional support, Micheal enrolled in FFC’s Strong Fathers program in December2025—and he hasn’t looked back since.After graduating from Strong Fathers Class #260, Micheal went on to completeFFC’s construction training program in January 2026, earning both NCCER andOSHA 10 certifications. Driven to keep learning, he has continued to pursueadditional credentials outside of class.Micheal is already taking steps toward his next chapter. He has accepted an offer towork on the IU Health project downtown, gaining hands-on experience in theconstruction field.FFC Su Class #260 G
FOLLOW US ON SOCIALS!@FFC_Indiana @FFC_Indiana@FathersandFamiliesCenter @FathersandFamiliesCenter @FathersandFamiliesCenterWANT TO STAY CONNECTED WITH OUR WORK?SUBSCRIBE TO GENERATIONS HEREFebruary 2026Looking ahead, Micheal has been accepted into the IBEW electrician apprenticeshipprogram, an exciting milestone on his career journey. His dedication to learning andgrowing through hands-on experience reflects a strong work ethic and a genuinecommitment to building a stable, long-term future in the skilled trades.Beyond technical skills, Micheal credits FFC with helping him strengthen areas ofpersonal growth, particularly public speaking. Participating in Class 260’s StrongFathers presentations gave him the opportunity to challenge himself and buildconfidence in a skill that can be daunting for many.During his group’s business plan proposal, Micheal and his peers presented SaveLives Safe Streets, an initiative focused on supporting Indianapolis’s unhousedpopulation through temporary housing, counseling, and employment assistance.Despite initial nerves, Micheal delivered a strong presentation to FFC staff,community members, and his peers.These experiences have given Micheal a newfound confidence. He recentlyparticipated in an FFC interview and appeared on Fox59’s IndyNow alongsidePresident and CEO Larry Smith. We are proud of Micheal and look forward tosupporting his continued growth as a person, parent, partner, and provider.I feel like hesitation p your bad experience of belief, but until y situation to try, y -Miche
February 2026We are grateful to recognize eleven of our many active employer partners whosecollaboration and support help create meaningful workforce opportunities forfathers in our programs. Through hiring, engagement, and a shared commitment tosecond chances, these employers play an important role in helping participants movetoward stability and long-term success.Their willingness to partner with Fathers and Families Center reflects a belief in thepotential of the men we serve—not only as employees, but as individuals working tosupport their families and build stronger futures. While this list highlights a portionof our employer network, we are thankful for all of the partners who continue tosupport our mission in meaningful ways.Together, these partnerships help turn opportunity into action.Employer Partners SpotlightFastenal is a valued partner of Fathers and Families Center, standing out for its handson involvement with the men we serve. Beyond hiring, Fastenal team members activelyengage in our programming through mock interviews and job-readiness activities thathelp participants build confidence and prepare for long-term career success. This directinvestment in skill-building and mentorship demonstrates Fastenal’s commitment tohelping fathers move from training into sustainable employment.
From November 1 through December 31, 2025, our year-end Stronger Togethercampaign brought our community together in powerful ways—exceeding our goalwhile increasing both donor participation and overall giving compared to last year.New and returning donors, along with staff, board members, faith partners, andcorporate allies, joined together to deepen our impact and strengthen families. Eachcontribution helped expand opportunities and support for fathers working towardstability and long-term success.We are deeply grateful to every donor who helped build this momentum and makethis work possible. ?“Every gift moves a fath stability and success. Th being part of this work stronger families.”February 20262025 Stronger Together Match ChallengeWe also recognize the success of Fred W., a graduate of FFC’s Strong Fathers programwho is currently employed at Fastenal as a Unit Load Picker. Fred recently reached his60-day retention milestone, reflecting both his commitment and Fastenal’s investmentin second-chance employment. His progress highlights the real, tangible outcomesmade possible through strong partnerships and dedicated support.D. Michael Thompson,Fathers and Families CenteDirector of FundDevelopment
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