Fatherhood Buzz Dynamic Dads, a nationwide event where barbershops serve as the hub for fathers and families to interact with each other and learn about resources and healthy relationships, is coming to Long Island. The Suffolk County Fatherhood Initiative will be at Sunrise Barbershop on Saturday, June 27th, to promote the event. The Long Island Barbershop is one of over 200 participating barbershops.
The goal of the event is for fatherhood agencies to use the barbershops as a safe space where they can talk with local fathers and families about the resources offered to fathers in the community and how they can have healthy relationships with their families.
“There aren’t a whole lot of programs out there that work to help dads or that fathers are aware of,” said Howard Treadwell of The Suffolk County Fatherhood Initiative. “As many local businesses that we have and as many services that are being provided throughout the county, very many of them are silent.” The reason for the events being held at barbershops, according to Treadwell, is because they are seen as the community hubs for fathers. “If people don’t know what they have access to, how can they participate?” he asked.
The Suffolk County Fatherhood Initiative was established in 2012 and aims to help fathers better communicate with their families and give them the resources and skills to be the best that they can be.
Sunrise Barbershop is located at 1473 Montauk Highway in Mastic. For more information about Fatherhood Buzz, visit fatherhood.gov.