The Justice Department and the President's Fatherhood & Mentoring Initiative Honor Local Fatherhood Heroes in Tarrant County, Texas

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of President Obama's Fatherhood & Mentoring Initiative, the Justice Department today honored eight "Fatherhood Heroes" from Tarrant County, Texas, for their role promoting responsible fatherhood in their families and communities.  This is the fourth in a series of local "Fatherhood Heroes" events around the country and was hosted by the Fatherhood Coalition of Tarrant County. 

"These men and women are everyday heroes who are strengthening their neighborhoods by strengthening their families," said Eugene Schneeberg, Director of the Justice Department's Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.  "We thank them for being positive examples in the lives of their children and the children around them —and we're grateful for other adults across the country who invest their time and energy to support young people whose fathers are not around." 

"This Fatherhood Heroes tour is a continuation of the President's efforts to encourage healthy families and highlight the importance of active fathers," said Joshua DuBois, Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-based & Neighborhood Partnerships.   "Responsible fatherhood is an issue very dear to the President because of his love for his wife and daughters, and his passionate belief that fathers must be engaged and involved.  The men and women being recognized today exemplify that commitment."

The President's Fatherhood and Mentoring initiative is a national effort to address responsible fatherhood and healthy families in America through partnerships with family-serving and mentorship groups around the country. The initiative serves as a call to action for cities and states, with individuals and organizations across the country to raise awareness about responsible fatherhood and working to re-engage absent fathers with their families.

For more information, visit www.fatherhood.gov.

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP), headed by Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary Lou Leary, provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims. OJP has six bureaus and offices: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART). More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Justice Programs