HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — For some, a fresh start has so much meaning, and for one program in Decatur it means a new life after incarceration. This new program is called the Fatherhood Workforce Development Program, and Decatur Youth Services is looking to lend a helping hand.
The program's Decatur Youth Services Coordinator is Nicholas Perkins. For Perkins, this program is all about offering individuals a fresh start, no matter their history. "The Fatherhood Workforce Development Program, which is funded by the Children's Trust Fund of Alabama, is a grant that actually helps, fathers, children or men who have children under the age of 18. It gives them a chance to have a second chance at life, to actually be able to take care of the kids and actually get themselves back straight. You know, a lot of times when you've been incarcerated, you lose a lot."
Decatur adopted this program last year in October. "So it's new for us and new for this area. And so that's that's good for for new opportunities for young men to come in and get a fresh start."
Perkins continued that the program also provides necessary life skills. "A lot of heavy machinery so that you as a father can get back on your feet. It's a program to where we don't just throw men away. We're in conjunction with Calhoun, we're trying to work on programs such as welding and cyber tech jobs."
The good news is that the program is not only for men. "The clients that we do have have been women, to be honest with you. So our goal is actually this time is to promote the program a little bit more so that we can get more men into it." Here's more good news...their open enrollment never ends.