THE STEVEN & ALEXANDRA COHEN FOUNDATION AND THE AMAZIN’ METS FOUNDATION AWARD A COMBINED $75,000 GRANT TO THE FORESTDALE STRONG FATHERS PROGRAM IN HONOR OF FATHER’S DAY 2022.
The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation teamed up with the Amazin' Mets Foundation in honor of Father's Day. They awarded Forestdale Inc. $75,000 to help support one of their core parenting programs, Strong Fathers. Fathers who want to be great parents for their children while overcoming significant obstacles, such as job loss, violence, or society's historical and current practices of racism and marginalization, turn to Forestdale for support.
The fathers we serve have tremendous challenges that need not define them. In one Dad’s words: "We’re always so stressed out. I work three jobs. I have the stress of getting food on the table and a roof over our heads. I’m struggling to make the time to come to therapy. Help with basic needs makes a huge difference”. Forestdale helps fathers navigate crises, stabilize their situation, and ensure they are equipped to be an active, committed dad providing increased financial and emotional support to their children.
Last year the program reached more than 350 fathers who learned how to become the champions their families need. Forestdale has been a stable support for dads in low-income families and neighborhoods in Queens for over 24 years, encouraging and facilitating fathers' emotional and material engagement with their children. Research shows that father involvement is associated with various physical, emotional, and mental benefits related to child well-being (National Fatherhood Initiative, 2015). These generous awards will help fathers create and maintain positive, healthy, and long-term relationships with their children - consistent markers of success.
"We appreciate the continued support of the Cohen Foundation and are excited that the Amazing' Mets Foundation has joined in supporting our Strong Fathers program," stated Bill Weisberg, Forestdale's Executive Director. "We know the difference that it makes for children to have a positive father figure in their lives. That relationship impacts their well-being and the course of their school performance, and future relationships. So it is terrific when foundations share the same view."
These generous contributions from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation and the Amazin' Mets Foundation will provide more services to more fathers who come to Forestdale. They will fund counseling, peer support, material assistance, intensive relationship-focused parenting classes, visit coaching, and co-parenting workshops. In addition, both organizations have supported Forestdale programs in other ways, such as recently sponsoring a Mets Holiday Shopping Spree and donating tickets to a Mets game at Citi Field to Forestdale families and to the Benefit auction.
About Forestdale
Established as a child welfare organization in 1854, Forestdale delivers innovative, evidence-based services that promote healing, resilience, and opportunity for children and families. Since moving its headquarters from Brooklyn to Queens in 1941, Forestdale has served our nation's most diverse borough focusing on low-income and immigrant clients, both in and outside the child welfare system. As of 2020, Forestdale also provides Preventive Services to Brooklyn families at risk of child removal from the home. Our mission is to ensure that children and families have the fundamental assets they need to thrive and live independently, with a goal to end the intergenerational transmission of poverty and trauma. For more information on Forestdale, please visit https://www.forestdaleinc.org/, or follow us on @Forestdaleinc on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter..
About the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation
The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation is committed to inspiring philanthropy and community service by creating awareness, offering guidance, and leading by example to show the world what giving can do. Since launching the Foundation in 2001, Steven and Alexandra Cohen have generously funded local and national nonprofit organizations that uplift the communities in which they serve. The Cohens' giving reflects their personal connection with causes that inspire them. To learn more, please visit steveandalex.org or follow the Foundation @CohenGive on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About the Amazin' Mets Foundation
The Amazin' Mets Foundation was founded in 2021 and is the philanthropic arm of the New York Mets. It is committed to providing needed services and opportunities to children, families, and under-served groups in neighborhoods and communities near Citi Field, the Mets home ballpark. Learn more at amazinmetsfoundation.org or follow @amazinmetsfdn on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Media Contact:
Name: Rachel Tzimorotas
Title: General Counsel and Assistant Executive Director of Operations
Phone: 718-263-0740, Ext. 309
Email address: rtzimorotas@forestdaleinc.org