SAN ANTONIO — Tragedy introduced Julio Gonzalez to the Compadre y Compadre program.
In February, his 2-year-old daughter, Juelz Emily Gonzalez, died in a capturing at her mom’s residence. Gonzalez’s enrollment was a part of a situation from Kids’s Protecting Providers to regain custody of his 5-year-old son, Julio, and 4-year-old daughter, Julia.
“I needed to step as much as get my children again,” Gonzalez, 44, mentioned. “I got here out with that ‘can do mentality.’”
Gonzalez gave his testimony earlier than a crowd of greater than 50 folks about The Kids’s Shelter program. He was one in all 28 graduates on the sixty fourth graduation ceremony within the shelter’s gymnasium. Due to the pandemic, the graduates have been the primary to finish an in-person class in two years.
He additionally was one in all 4 individuals to grow to be a Compadre y Compadre mentor. Greater than 7,000 fathers have enrolled within the free program that started in 2009. The 15-week periods begin with a two-week Daddy Boot Camp, the place the fathers be taught to make nutritious meals, change diapers and plan actions to play with their youngsters.
Gonzalez hopes graduating from the programs will imply greater than a certificates.
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Michael Regino indicators in for his Compadre y Compadre program commencement ceremony as his 5-year-old son Alex sits on his shoulders at The Kids’s Shelter in San Antonio on Thursday. Regino’s spouse, mom and two sons attended the graduation ceremony to rejoice him making it via the 15-week program.
Sam Owens, San Antonio Categorical-Information / Workers photographer
A check revealed that he was an authoritative father or mother. Gonzalez took on the strict guidelines of his father, believing that being a supplier was all his youngsters wanted from him. He mentioned the category taught him a special, caring method. He discovered completely different strategies and instruments. Gonzalez mentioned he discovered how you can be a loving, nurturing father to his youngsters in reminiscence of his late daughter.
“I used to be like, ‘No, I’m going to dwell for her and switch this stumbling rock to a stepping stone,’” he mentioned. “That’s why I’m right here at this time.”
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Visitor speaker Marcus Coleman — a former NFL defensive again with the New York Jets, Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys — shared his private expertise of being a father. He supplied three ideas: be bodily and mentally conscious, do not forget that phrases imply so much and actually take heed to youngsters throughout one-on-one time.
Former NFL participant Marcus Coleman offers the graduation speech in the course of the sixty fourth commencement ceremony for the Compadre y Compadre program at The Kids’s Shelter in San Antonio on Thursday. The 48-year-old shared tales about his relationship along with his father and the way he pertains to his personal youngsters.
Sam Owens, San Antonio Categorical-Information / Workers photographer“That point makes a distinction,” Coleman mentioned. “You may assist information them.”
Crystal Cantu, vp of applications, known as the nurturing father program an vital funding that the individuals made for themselves, youngsters and households.
“All of us come from completely different walks of life,” Cantu mentioned. “Our fathers, they opened their minds and hearts to a brand new method of doing issues, a brand new method of parenting. They’ve discovered the significance of constructing relationships and connections with their youngsters and spousal associate.”
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The group applauded the 11 graduates current on the ceremony as they acquired their certificates of accomplishment from Patricio Ortiz, this system’s director. They every left with a bag of things they may share with their youngsters. There was a blanket to assist with nurturing expertise, a guide to learn to their youngster and a puzzle or sport they may play with their children.
Karl Swarner poses for an image with Patrick Ortiz, Program Director of the Compadre y Compadre program at The Kids’s Shelter in San Antonio on Thursday. The graduate accomplished the 15-week program that emphasizes strengthening the male caregiver’s function with their youngsters after which accomplished 10 extra weeks of coaching to mentor different fathers.
Sam Owens, San Antonio Categorical-Information / Workers photographerOrtiz thanked the fathers for his or her dedication and finishing this system.
“Your sons will develop as much as be such as you,” Ortiz mentioned. “And your daughters will marry males such as you. You will have the instruments, guys. Now’s the time to place them to make use of.”
Then the graduates learn “My Fatherhood Pledge,” a vow to provide their youngsters their time, love and coronary heart.
Alexander Mendoza’s household applauded with the group as he accepted his certificates. When he returned to their desk, they congratulated the person who broke down at school as he talked in regards to the father who wasn’t in his life.
“If I can do 15 weeks,” Mendoza mentioned, “I can do quarter-hour speaking a couple of man I haven’t seen in 22 years.”
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At first he was skeptical of the parenting class. By the top of the course, Mendoza felt he’d healed previous wounds, able to be current within the lives of his youngsters, 1-year previous Ricardo and 11-month-old Teresa.
Individuals share a meal collectively in the course of the sixty fourth graduation ceremony for fathers enrolled within the Compadre y Compadre program at The Kids’s Shelter in San Antonio on Thursday. The 15-week course emphasizes strengthening the male caregiver’s function with their youngsters and household.
Sam Owens, San Antonio Categorical-Information / Workers photographer“The category made me open my eyes,” Mendoza, 24, mentioned. “I wish to inform my classmates in the event that they ever really feel like they’re trapped in a nook to hold on the teachings.”
His spouse, Victoria Aguirre, 23, mentioned she may see that Mendoza had “modified so much.”
“There’s no instruction handbook,” she mentioned. “The whole lot helps. He’s feeling extra assured.”
vtdavis@express-news.n
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