ABOUT
FATHERS MATTER ATL
From the inaugural Leadership Summit to today, Fathers Matter ATL is restoring the dignity, power, and influence of fathers in Metro Atlanta.
OUR STORY
Fathers Matter ATL was born in the spirit of collaboration, vision, and transformation. The journey began with the first-ever Leadership Summit on March 3, 2021, convening 186 leaders from 11 sectors across DeKalb, Clayton, Fulton, and Cobb counties. Leaders from public health, education, justice, faith, and community organizations gathered to craft a shared strategy for uplifting fathers and strengthening families.
This summit served as the cornerstone for the Community Mobilization Approach (CMA), a collaborative framework developed by the Morehouse School of Medicine Prevention Research Center (MSM PRC) and the Georgia Department of Public Health. The CMA aimed to assess community needs and assets, engage stakeholders, and develop a strategic action plan to promote fatherhood in metro Atlanta.
As a result, they identified seven key strategies to mobilize efforts over the subsequent months:
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Connecting Fathers
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Reaching Fathers
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Improving Relationships
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Supporting Inner Healing
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Reclaiming the Narrative About Fathers
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Addressing Mass Incarceration
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Implementing Father-Friendly Policies
These strategies laid the foundation for the initiatives and programs that would follow, guiding the organization's efforts to engage fathers and strengthen families in the metro Atlanta area.
OUR MISSION
Fathers Matter ATL exists to reimagine fatherhood as a vehicle for transformation—in families, justice-impacted communities, and the broader Atlanta region. Our mission is clear:
“Develop a system that serves fathers as well as it serves moms and babies.”
We honor fathers as builders, healers, and leaders—reclaiming their rightful place at the center of family and community life.
Develop a system that serves fathers as well as it
serves moms and babies.
FUTURE VISION
Fathers Matter ATL is more than an initiative—it is a movement, a clarion call to restore the power, dignity, and influence of fathers. Through strategic partnerships, advocacy, and bold programming, we are transforming fatherhood from a struggle to a legacy, creating a city where fathers lead, heal, and empower generations to come.
We are restoring the power, dignity, and influence of fathers, creating a city where fathers lead, heal, and empower generations to come.
Through fun and innovative events, we have engaged fathers meaningfully, affirming their vital role in their children's lives. By building the capacity of our partners, we have created a more informed and intentional network of organizations committed to father-inclusive policies and programs. Our work has resonated nationally, with presentations influencing broader conversations and collaboration on father engagement. Our recognition through awards and grants underscores the significance and impact of our shared efforts.
