Global Fatherhood Foundation - GFF

12/28/2025

12/26/2025

Building Trust in Relationships 📍📝

Every year as we grow older, we also grow wiser. As we close 2026 – Global Fathers Remember, we are reminded that trust is one of the most crucial foundations of any healthy relationship. 💥👣

Many relationships break down because of trust issues. Once trust is violated, it becomes extremely difficult to repair and rebuild. That is why trust must be carefully guarded and constantly nurtured.

Trust can be compared to a plant 🌱—it needs the right soil, water, and temperature to grow, flourish, and bloom. In the same way, trust requires the right conditions and environment to sustain a relationship through both highs and lows.

Even when partners trust each other, there is no guarantee that trust will always remain strong. Trust should never be taken for granted. You can never trust “enough”—you must continually build and reinforce it.

So, what are the barriers to building trust in a relationship? 💥👣

📌 1. Desire to Control
When one partner seeks to control the relationship or gain the upper hand, trust struggles to survive. A relationship cannot thrive without equality. Constantly trying to change your partner or dictate terms creates an unhealthy environment. Over time, this causes withdrawal, emotional distance, and alienation.

📌 2. Dishonesty
Hiding things, lying by omission, or only telling your partner what you think they want to hear undermines trust. Dishonesty is not only unfair to your partner—it is also being untrue to yourself.
If you are doing something you cannot openly talk about, ask yourself whether you can truly live with it. When you have the courage of your convictions, honesty becomes natural and trust remains intact.

📌 3. Self-Centeredness
When we focus only on our own needs, we often act in ways that damage the relationship. Selfish motives slowly erode trust and weaken the faith your partner has placed in you. Over time, this causes the relationship to stagnate instead of grow.

To build trust, we must recognize and overcome these barriers.

✨ In 2026, commit to becoming the best DAD ever—one who leads with trust, integrity, and love.


Global Fatherhood Foundation

12/23/2025

**FATHERHOOD IS FOREVER**

*As told by a Father*

Just like any other father, I want to be a good father. Please don’t judge me. I am making progress.

As we celebrate Christmas and prepare to enter a new year, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to the staff at the Global Fatherhood Foundation for their guidance, encouragement, and mental health support. There was a point in my life when I felt I had reached the edge—no clear way forward—and at times, I even contemplated su***de.

Can every su***de be prevented? The good news is that su***de *is* preventable. Preventing su***de requires effort and strategy at every level of society—from individuals and families to communities and institutions. Support systems matter. Conversations matter. Presence matters.

It still amazes me how long it took for me to realize that I was depressed. My father lived with bipolar disorder, and my sister was diagnosed with depression over a decade ago, so you would think I would have recognized the signs. But it took a persistent friend to help me understand that my low moods, constant exhaustion, poor appetite, and inability to concentrate were not just phases—they were symptoms. And I needed help.

According to national statistics, between 8% and 12% of people will experience depression in any given year. Yet many will never be diagnosed. Despite growing awareness around mental health, people can live with these symptoms without realizing what they’re facing. I did—for months.

I’ve been afraid of fatherhood for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I constantly heard narratives about Black men being absent fathers, abusive partners, or emotionally unavailable providers—labels shaped by the harsh realities of navigating the world with Black skin. Those stories didn’t make fatherhood feel inviting.

So I did everything I could to prepare myself before becoming a father. I made deliberate choices. I avoided having a child until I believed I could truly provide—emotionally, physically, and mentally. I studied women’s studies in college so that if I had a daughter, I’d have the language and awareness to understand her struggles. I spoke with older fathers. I committed to physical health with dreams of one day challenging my grandchildren on the basketball court. I worked, volunteered, and mentored youth across the DMV to build the patience, awareness, and resilience required to guide young people through life.

I wasn’t playing games. I was determined to make it.

Despite all the work, worry, and wonderment that come with becoming a father, one thing was always clear—I love children. Bring me a baby, a pre-teen, a teenager, or a young adult, and we will find a way to connect. So when I prepared to marry the love of my life, knowing she came with a son, I approached fatherhood with humility, excitement, and deep respect for the responsibility ahead.

Being a father to my son has been one of the most challenging journeys I have ever taken—and without question, the most rewarding.

So to the fathers reading this: don’t give up.
Fatherhood is forever.
Fatherhood is purpose.
Fatherhood is the greatest gift you can give your child.

I am committed to making it.
Are you committed to making it in this new year?

— *Anonymous Father*

-ANONYMOUS Father-Counselling through GFF

12/19/2025

🎺 WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CALLED YOUR FATHER? 👴👵🎺

Are you ready for the challenge this Holiday or Christmas season?

Fatherhood is a lifelong process. Even when children are grown and have left home, they still look to their fathers for wisdom, guidance, and reassurance. Involved fathers use everyday moments to teach the basic lessons of life.

Too often, after we settle down or move far from home, we forget our elderly fathers. We forget the sacrifices they made so our lives could be better. Many wore the same clothes and shoes over and over, saving every penny so their children could get an education.

Fathers don’t want your money. 💰
They just want to hear your voice.
They want to know you’re okay.

Old age can be lonely.

Many fathers worked long hours just so their families could have a good meal and a decent life. When life became harsh, they didn’t give up. They smiled through pain so their children wouldn’t worry.

🤔 Do you know how many elderly fathers go to work without breakfast, just so their children and wives can eat?
A simple phone call brings comfort to their souls. It eases their worries and gives them peace. Old age is not invisible.

Sometimes, fathers hide their sickness because they have no medical coverage. They carry pain in silence, hoping everything will be alright. Some have lost their children through divorce and unfair custody rulings — a pain that never truly leaves.

When was the last time you called, visited, or checked on your father?

Most fathers don’t ask for much.
They don’t want your money.
They want companionship.
They want appreciation.

Have you neglected your father because of past mistakes or misunderstandings? You may not see eye to eye — but how long will you hold the grudge? Can you forgive him? Can you give him a second chance?

The decision is YOURS.

📞 Call your father today.

12/16/2025

The Irreplaceable Role of Fathers
📌 Father’s Time is Priceless
Anyone can father a child, but being a dad takes a lifetime of commitment, love, and presence. Fathers play a role in their child’s life that cannot be substituted. Their influence is profound, helping shape their children into the adults they’ll become.
📌 Fathers and Emotional Development
Fathers, just like mothers, are pillars of a child’s emotional growth. Children look to their fathers for guidance, security, and consistency. Fathers enforce rules, provide a sense of safety, and offer emotional stability.
A child’s desire to make their father proud fosters inner strength and resilience. Research reveals that affectionate and supportive fathers have a profound impact on their child’s cognitive and social development, cultivating self-confidence and a sense of well-being. A father’s presence doesn’t just guide—it inspires.
📌 Fathers Set the Bar for Relationships
Fathers influence how their children perceive and form relationships throughout life. A father’s treatment of his child lays the foundation for how they will choose and relate to friends, partners, and spouses. The example fathers set in their relationships teaches children how to navigate trust, respect, and love with others.
📌 Fathers and Their Daughters
For young girls, fathers are a source of emotional support and security. A loving, respectful father helps his daughter understand what a healthy relationship with a man looks like. If he’s affectionate and strong, she will seek those qualities in her relationships as she grows.
📌 Fathers and Their Sons
For boys, fathers represent the model for how to behave and navigate the world. Boys look to their fathers for approval, guidance, and character. From an early age, boys imitate their father’s actions, learning respect, empathy, and strength.
When fathers are absent, boys often seek other male figures to fill that role. A father’s example is critical in shaping not just their son’s character but his approach to relationships, responsibility, and life itself.
📌📌📌 Today, Celebrate Your Dad!
Take a moment to tell your father how much you love and appreciate him. Whether through words, a hug, or a simple “Thank you,” let him know the incredible impact he has had on your life.
Fathers are more than just parents—they are role models, guides, and the steady foundation every child needs.

12/14/2025

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1384131905902208

12/12/2025

Mental Health-

Being a minority father or Black man can significantly affect mental health due to the intersection of race, gender, and cultural expectations. Systemic challenges such as discrimination, economic inequality, and racial bias contribute to chronic stress, emotional fatigue, and feelings of isolation. Black fathers often face pressure to meet societal expectations of strength and resilience while navigating environments that may be hostile or dismissive of their lived experiences, intensifying mental health struggles.

Several barriers prevent African Americans from seeking mental health services. High costs and limited insurance coverage make care financially inaccessible for many. Familial shame and cultural stigma often frame mental health challenges as personal weaknesses, discouraging openness and vulnerability—especially among men expected to remain stoic. The lack of diversity among mental health professionals further alienates Black fathers, as finding culturally affirming providers can be difficult. Additionally, poor cultural competency among non-Black clinicians can result in misdiagnosis, invalidation, and mistrust.

Mental health care systems rooted in white-centric frameworks may not reflect Black cultural realities, reinforcing disengagement. Historical injustices and negative past medical experiences deepen skepticism toward the health care system. Addressing these barriers requires affordable, culturally responsive care, increased representation of Black clinicians, community-based support, and safe spaces that normalize mental health conversations for Black fathers.

12/11/2025

December Newsletter -

Global Fatherhood Foundation works to increase father involvement by equipping communities and our partner human service organizations with the father engagement training, programs, and resources they need to be father inclusive.

12/11/2025

Fatherhood is a strategic value. Imagine the precious moments of life and fatherhood as a lifetime devotion. Whatever fatherhood brings to you, accept it with intent. Global fathers enjoy every moment of life. Leave a legacy. Build resilience.

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12/11/2025

FATHERS, DID YOU KNOW? 👨‍👧‍👦💙

Kids look to their fathers for guidance, structure, and protection. An involved dad helps build confidence, emotional strength, and a deep sense of security.

Your children watch you, learn from you, and want to make you proud. Your leadership and presence matter more than you know.

👉 Are you being the teacher and role model they need?

12/04/2025

🌟 End-of-Year Reflection 🌟

DEAR FATHERS/MEN

“Did You Accomplish Your Goals?”

As the year comes to a close, many of us find ourselves asking:
“Did I accomplish what I set out to do?”

But here’s the truth no one says enough:

✨ Sometimes the goal wasn’t achieved,
but you grew in ways you didn’t plan.

✨ Sometimes you didn’t finish the race,
but you took steps you once thought you couldn’t.

✨ Sometimes you didn’t hit the big milestone,
but you showed up on days you wanted to quit.

That counts. More than you realize.

You don’t need a perfect year to be proud of the person you are becoming.
Progress is still progress — even if it’s quiet, slow, or messy.

So before you close the chapter on this year, take a moment to celebrate:

The lessons you learned

The challenges you overcame

The strength you found in yourself

The growth no one saw but you

The new year isn’t a reset —
it’s simply the next step forward in your journey.

Keep going. You’re doing better than you think. 💛