Dads Bond with Daughters to Reclaim the Value of Fatherhood

 [Akira and Quinn (girls), Quintin (father)]

CHICAGO -- Early this November, 150 dads and father figures gathered with daughters enrolled at Metro Achievement Center, located in Greektown near West Loop for Father-Daughter Day. 

In a world where parents work very hard to support their families, we want to acknowledge their importance through the theme, "There is More to Fathers Than Meet the Eye - Reclaiming the Value of Fatherhood."

While a delicious, hot meal simmered alongside beautiful tables dressed with flowers, dads and daughters alike experienced an enriching afternoon of love and affirmation. Father of seven children, guest speaker Michael Gaggioli addressed the dads, that there is more to being a father than just the financial provider of the family. In the meantime, his own daughter Liz encouraged the girls to use The Five Love Languages to show their dads how to appreciate them. A panel of Metro alumnae shared the importance of forgiveness in the relationship with dads, and how like any other relationship, it takes work on both ends to succeed. The event culminated with a moving moment, where dads and daughters exchanged handwritten letters expressing what they admire most about one another.

[Rafael (father), Paloma (daughter)]

"Thank you for letting me spend time with my daughter. My wife took over my job for the day so I can go to Father-Daughter Day at Metro," -Metro dad.

About Metro Achievement Center: Metro Achievement Center for girls and its brother site Midtown Center for boys are unique places for after-school and summertime enrichment. They help at-risk Chicago youth gain exposure to a world of opportunity beyond the classroom, from one-on-one academic tutoring and mentoring, to character development and college readiness.