You may have seen the DADs for Life decal on passing cars, or even proudly displayed one yourself. You may have taken part in Eat With Your Family Day, or written a Back to School With Dad note of encouragement for your child.

These events, familiar to a generation of Singaporeans, were all organised by national movement DADs for Life, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

STRENGTHENING FAMILIES

DADs for Life was founded by Mr Jason Wong, whose experience as a prisons officer for 17 years showed him the sad impact of absent and abusive fathers on families, and inspired him to start a movement that would strengthen father-child relationships and families in Singapore.

On Nov 19, 2009, Mr Wong launched DADs for Life, with support from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS). “I wanted fathers to act – to be aware of the importance of a father’s role, to commit to being good fathers and role models to their children,” he said.

He added: “I hope to see two things happen in the next 10 years. Firstly, I hope that every father in Singapore will become a dad for life, so that every child will have a father involved in his or her life. Secondly, I hope DADs for Life in Singapore will be a model for other nations so that children in the world will not grow up fatherless.”

MILESTONES WITH DADS

In 2015, the Centre for Fathering (CFF) became the driving force behind DADs for Life. Founded in 2000, CFF is a non-profit organisation with a matching aim: To promote active and involved fathering, and to address societal issues caused by fatherlessness in Singapore.

Over the last decade, DADs for Life has grown to engage over 250,000 families each year. More than 5,000 fathers take part yearly in parenting programmes like ICAN (Involvement, Consistency, Awareness, and Nurturance) workshops.

DADs for Life runs  150 programmes yearly – ranging from parenting seminars to Adventure Camp with Dad – that facilitate bonding for over 18,000 families. 

On a grassroots level, DADs for Life has also helped to empower fathers. Since the launch of Fathers@School in 2010, more than 40 schools have received assistance from DADs for Life in setting up fathers’ groups and bonding programmes.

WIDENING REACH

Given the movement’s origins, families at risk have remained a constant priority at the heart of DADs for Life. Volunteers reach out to underserved community groups, such as former and current convicts, families living in poverty, youths and new parents. Last year, DADs for Life was able to provide assistance to 500 under-privileged and 120 incarcerated fathers.

Going forward, DADs for Life hopes to deepen its outreach locally by offering fathers’ groups, materials and programmes in Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. It is also spreading beyond our shores, having been approached by 26 countries that are keen to gain insights into starting their own fathering movements.

Having established its role in empowering fathers, DADs for Life has partnered with a group of mother volunteers to launch MUMs for Life on Mother’s Day 2019 to “celebrate a mum’s identity as daughter, woman, wife and mother”.

Said chief executive officer of CFF and DADs for Life, Mr Bryan Tan: “This complements the work of DADs for Life. When mums live out their unique identity in their diverse roles and dads are actively involved in the family, children are better nurtured and the whole family is stronger.”

CELEBRATING FATHERS

This year, DADs for Life is partnering with Mediacorp (this is the fourth year of their partnership with Mediacorp) to organise a nation-wide community movement, Celebrating Fathers. The initiative, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of active fatherhood, is supported by the National Population and Talent Division under Strategy Group, Prime Minister’s Office; and the Ministry of Social and Family Development.

The theme of Celebrating Fathers 2019 is appreciation for Dads: “Fathers. For all the things you do, we love you.”

Celebrating Fathers features a special event held on Father’s Day (June 16): Dad’s Day Out, which will be held at the OCBC Square at the Singapore Sports Hub. The carnival will feature fun-filled family activities like a blindfold maze, a tower stacking competition, treasure hunts, stage performances and games by Mediacorp personalities.

Mums are encouraged to write loving words of thanks on leaves for a DADs Promise Tree, and dads in turn will pen down promises to their families. The day will be capped off with a Families for Life  movie screening.

Said Mr Tan: “With the continued support of our volunteers, sponsors and partners, we can eradicate fatherlessness and make Singapore recognised globally for good Fathering, strong thriving marriages and joyful children who will fulfil their aspirations and destinies in life!”

For more information, head to celebratingfathers.sg