Ya’ll, jambalaya and gumbo are good, but Shreveport, Louisiana’s “Dads On Duty” are even better! You are going to love this!
Southwood High School in Shreveport, Louisiana had begun to make the news, and not in a good way. The school was becoming recognized for having fights and violence within its walls—activities that led to the arrests of 23 SHS students within a three-day period of time!
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As distressing as that is, a group led by Michael LaFitte came up with a plan to address the problem. He created a sort of team, which he named “Dads On Duty.” The Dads wear t-shirts in royal blue and orange that read “Respect The Ranch” and “Dads On Duty.” There is a logo reflective of the iconic leaning cowboy image as well.
Much more important than how they look is what they do, though. These ordinary Dads, now numbering 40, have taken up residence at Southwood High School. While they don’t have training in law enforcement or degrees in education or counseling, they do know how to father.
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“We decided the best people who can take care of kids are who? Are us.”
Michael and the other Dads rotate shifts in order to be on-site throughout the day. They joke with students, they provide encouragement, and they offer up a warning look as needed. A lot of warmth meets a bit of intimidation! That’s the stuff good fathering is made of!
Dads On Duty have had a tremendous impact. Southwood High School has been free of incidents since the DOD’s came on the scene! Students report feeling happier and more secure. And, for those without a father figure in their lives, the Dads may very well be filling an important void.
Southwood High School’s Dads hope to take their program to schools elsewhere in Louisiana and possibly all over the nation. Moms have been helping in classrooms and in school offices for years now, but maybe it was about time for dads to get involved. These Dads have certainly met a need in their school, and isn’t that what service is all about!
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“Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.” Proverbs 4:1
h/t: Tank's Good News
Featured Image Credit: Youtube/CBS Evening News
Hally is a freelance writer, blogger, and mental health advocate. A former school counselor, Hally works for a nonprofit that distributes tax dollars to mental health and prevention education providers that serve her county's kids and families. She's a contributor to a devotional and two essay collectives, and she shares resources and wisdom regarding parenting teens, mental health, faith, adoption, and more at http://www.hallyjwells.com where she strives to "Dig Deep and Reach High." She and her husband have three adult children and one rascally beagle pup. Hally loves travel, her book club sisters, personality tests, and a great glass of iced tea.