Sept. 17 program to help build relationships between fathers and sons

The goal of the Prince William Fatherhood Initiative is to help fathers develop healthy relationships and stay engaged with their children.

To help further the goal, the group will hold its first Father-Son Symposium, “Bridging the Gap,” on Saturday, Sept. 17, between 6-8:30 p.m. at the Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo Building, 15941 Donald Curtis Drive in Woodbridge.

The symposium is free, and while it is aimed at fathers who have been separated from their sons through divorce, deployment or incarceration, it is open to all.

Bobby Gailes, producer of the “Steve Harvey Morning Show” and on-air host of “Taking to the Streets” on WHUR Radio, will moderate the symposium that will include panel discussions.

Leroy Martin, author of the book “Father and Son Influence: And Other Influences” will be the keynote speaker. Martin’s book is about his journey in developing a relationship with his son.

Also during the event, members of Omega Psi Phi and Kappa Alpha Psi fraternities will conduct breakout sessions to talk about their mentoring programs.

There will also be activities for sons ages 9 to 18.

Phyllis Jennings-Holt, division chief of Prince William County Department of Social Services’ Adult and Child Services, said the symposium will help fathers understand the impact they have on their sons. “The Father-Son Symposium is really focused on the dad’s influence on the life and development of his son, and being able to develop that relationship and to help mold him into a young man ready to go into the world,” she was quoted as saying in a press release.

Register for the event online or call Jennings-Holt at 703-792-7592 or Derwin Overton at 703-246-3031.

Visit http://www.pwcgov.org/fatherhood to find out more about the Fatherhood Initiative.