Fourteen students in the Nurturing Fathers program formally graduated yesterday. They attended the program while incarcerated in the Starke County Jail.
The program was facilitated by Jerome Kelly of Family Focus, Inc. out of Valparaiso who said that he gives the attendees the understanding of how to change behavior.
“They’re learning how to communicate better to their children,” said Kelly. “They’re trying to have a better understanding with their children and to be able to know that they’re still the parent and they’re still in control. There shouldn’t be any argument of moments. I’m not saying that they will never yell or argue. But if you’re in control of things, especially yourself, then where is there room to argue?”
He mentioned that he does not have all of the answers to each individual problem that arises, but he can relay the tools to those attending the class to make the right decisions in the moment.
“You have to make up your mind and make good, healthy decisions for yourself first which will then domino effect down to your children.”
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin applauds the benefits of the program.
“I think it’s a huge asset for what we do here as far as trying to rehabilitate the inmates that will re-enter society and be a productive citizen,” said Sheriff Dulin.
The Nurturing Father course is approximately 12 weeks long. The program graduated seven men in the same program in April.
