Sheltering Arms Employee Receives National Recognition for Work Promoting Strong Families

Rodney Lawrence, Child & Family Specialist at Sheltering Arms' Welcome All Center, was recently named the national Family First Volunteer of the Year for his work with All Pro Dad.  Rodney (l) is shown here receiving the award from James "JB" Brown (r) of CBS's "The NFL Today." The following article appeared in a 2006 Sheltering Arms newsletter.  Since then, Rodney has been instrumental in starting successful All Pro Dad chapters at Sheltering Arms centers and public schools throughout metro Atlanta.

"I came up without a dad, so I don’t know how one should be. But I’m working to be the best father I can," says Sheltering Arms parent David White. Thanks to a new resource at Sheltering Arms in East Point, Mr. White has other fathers in his corner.

All Pro Dad teams up NFL players and coaches across the nation to build awareness about the importance of being a good father, and to provide resources that help men become better dads. Sheltering Arms’ All Pro Dad chapter, the first in Georgia, meets monthly for a shared meal and open conversation around the challenges of parenting. Guest speakers include educators, marriage counselors, and experts on child support and visitation. Fathers and children enjoy fun activities together, including a recent outing to an arena football game. Grandfathers, uncles, friends…any man helping to raise a young child is welcome, whether or not that child is enrolled at Sheltering Arms.

Rodney Lawrence, Sheltering Arms Family Support Coordinator, learned about All Pro Dad during a visit to Falcons spring training. "It used to be, when we had a parents’ meeting, the women would talk, and the men, if they came, would sit like bumps on a log," says Rodney. "But men…we’ll talk football. So that’s our starting point for All Pro Dad. We come because it’s something we love, we get comfortable with each other talking about what we know, and then it’s easy to move into sharing about our ups and downs as fathers. Since we started All Pro Dad, we’re seeing more of our fathers at the center. If we ever need anything, they’re here asking how they can help, and they’re more comfortable asking us for advice when they need it."

"All Pro Dad is for the man who doesn’t like to ask for directions. Now he has a forum," says Dan Sims, father of a Sheltering Arms preschooler and Principal of Paul D. West Middle School. Mr. Sims has led the group in discussions about preparing for the middle school years, but one of the biggest strengths he sees in Sheltering Arms’ All Pro Dad program is its focus on the early years. "That’s when you can really make the biggest difference in your child’s life."

East Point Center Director Steve White agrees. "Research proves that the years from birth to five are the most important for a child’s development. Men can’t wait until their child’s old enough to throw a football to get involved…kids need a good coach even in the cradle."

"I’ve learned a lot being part of All Pro Dad," says Chris White, another Sheltering Arms father. "You never know what others go through. Hearing their stories helps you cope, and you learn, listening to different ways dads deal with their challenges." His fellow All Pro Dad David White agrees. "We’re talking about how to be role models for our kids, but we’re also being role models for each other."