SPECIAL FEATURE – Keeping Families Close

KEEPING FAMILIES CLOSE

By Julia M. Johnson

LATE FOUNDER HALBERT SULLIVAN (LEFT) WITH A PROGRAM GRADUATE

N APRIL, THE FATHERS & FAMILIES SUPPORT CENTER supportive of each other and are committed to honoring his months. “We are interested in attracting more people from (FFSC) UNEXPECTEDLY LOST ITS FOUNDER AND CEO, legacy,” Tillis says. Since its founding, the organization has areas like south St. Louis,” she says. “We also are adding HALBERT SULLIVAN, LEAVING COLLEAGUES TO MOURN provided services to 18,000 fathers and made a difference more virtual offerings to suit young people and moms, many HIS PASSING AND MAKE PLANS TO RECOGNIZE HIS MANY in the lives of more than 45,000 children. of whom are busy coordinating family needs from home.” In CONTRIBUTIONS. Sullivan, who struggled with substance use Tillis says the COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges the meantime, fun programs like movie nights and virtual and incarceration as a young man, launched the nonprofit over the past year, but the organization has weathered them celebrations have offered a welcome respite for clients. in 1997 after realizing that many St. Louis parents needed effectively. “We already had the technology for people to According to Tillis, positive feedback from families has help keeping their families together. participate in programs remotely, including monitors and provided important encouragement for FFSC staff, especially

Today, Sullivan’s organization serves hundreds of men cameras,” she explains. “We were able to continue all of our over the last year. “For dads, the greatest worry is usually and women each year through parenting education, legal classes via Zoom, so we actually never had to shut down.” that they won’t be able to provide for their families, and and community re-entry services, employment counseling, She adds that the future holds exciting possibilities for parents also feel stress over child visitation and custody youth development and other the organization. “We are planning proceedings,” she says. “They are grateful for all of the ways critical programs. Now based in new to increase outreach about our we can help them stay connected to their kids.” & downtown headquarters, the center employment services,” she says. originally served mostly fathers, but “We want people to know that a recent name change reflects its we are here and can assist them evolving commitment to mothers in choosing a new career path and youth as well. FFSC’s mission is through training and placement. supported by research that shows This is especially important now, children of involved parents are more as many St. Louisans have suffered likely to finish school and enjoy happy, job losses due to the pandemic.” productive lives. Tillis says the center, which

Executive vice president and COO recently opened a second location Cheri Tillis was named acting CEO to in East St. Louis, is transitioning keep the organization’s programs on back to in-person programs based track, and she says there has been no on current safety guidelines. interruption in services for families. She says staff members hope to “The sudden loss of Mr. Sullivan caught ACTING CEO CHERI TILLIS increase the number of parents our staff off guard, but we have been and families served in the coming A MEMORIAL CELEBRATION HONORING HALBERT SULLIVAN IS PLANNED FOR JUNE 16 IN FOREST PARK, AND FFSC’S ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GOLF TOURNAMENT IS OCT. 16.

VISIT FATHERSSUPPORTCENTER.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION.