FATHER Project

Founded in 1999 by the City of Minneapolis, the FATHER (Fostering Actions To Help Earnings and Responsibility) Project became a program of Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota in 2004. Since then, the FATHER Project has served thousands of fathers through an extensive network of community partners. The FATHER Project's mission is to assist fathers in overcoming the barriers that prevent them from supporting their children economically and emotionally. Services offered include:

Case management: a professional father advocate provides expert consultation on issues facing fathers and support for effective parenting.
Parenting support: parenting classes help fathers learn practical skills and receive support from other fathers in similar circumstances.
Child support services: Child support staff works with FATHER Project; from paternity to payment issues, we help fathers understand and improve their situation.
Father and family activities: fun and educational activities provide fathers, children and family members with important opportunities to strengthen relationships.
Employment services: we offer comprehensive employment services, including job search support and resume development.
GED tutoring: get 1-1 tutoring from experienced, committed volunteers; all testing expenses are covered and bus tokens are available for students who demonstrate a commitment to the program. GED is open Mon-Thurs, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. in the Twin Cities.

Guy Bowling is the Director of the FATHER Project. He has been a part of the FATHER Project since its inception in 1999. In 2012, he received the Ronald F. Johnson Award and was one of the 2012 Spirit of Fatherhood Hall of Fame inductees at the 14th Annual International Fatherhood Conference. Most recently, Guy was named Fall 2019 Outstanding Student at Metropolitan State University having graduated magna cum laude in the university’s College of Individualized Studies. He is a board member at PICA Head start, a member of Take Action MN and the founder of the Festival of Fathers, as well as the 2014 recipient of the Outstanding Individual of the Year Award at the Minnesota Fathers and Families Network Annual Conference. He plans to pursue a master’s in public affairs.