Single fathers helping single fathers

“I saw a lack of resources when I went through a divorce ten years ago, and I went out and looked for resources to help me parent three children, and just kind of navigate that whole issue,” Tomada said.

The project, located at 535 Tranquille Road, says its the first of its kind in Western Canada. It utilizes an all-in-one hub model to provide comprehensive support to men facing family challenges.

Kris Willems, a single father who found help through the project during his divorce proceedings, credits the organization with saving his life.

“I really believe Dante and the group at Modern Man really saved my life,” Willems said.

The project’s impact extends beyond individual support, reshaping family dynamics and offering hope to those navigating complex legal and emotional terrain. Tim Smoch, a board director for the project, emphasized the organization’s broader impact.

“We impact in a positive way not just the dads, but every single child associated with this,” Smoch said. “The one key thing that I think is the greatest gift that we create is hope.”

The Modern Man Family Project offers weekly support groups, including the Fathers in Relationship Education (FIRE) program. This initiative teaches single fathers about ten pillars of fatherhood and relationship management.

Willems noted the program’s emphasis on personal accountability.

“A lot of that is recognizing and coming to account and taking ownership of your part in whatever has happened in your relationship or whatever happens to be your circumstance,” he said.

“Over the last year of being with these guys, it’s it’s made a tremendous impact on my life– all my relationships with my kids, my family are 100 times better than what they were. And I didn’t think they were that bad before, but just a huge improvement in being able to identify things that were otherwise not very positive in the relationships that I was in.”

Since its inception, the Modern Man Family Project reports helping more than 300 families. The organization’s success is attributed to its peer-driven support model and focus on lived experiences.

Smoch, who went through a seven-year court process as a single father, highlighted the challenges men face in the legal system. “The cards are just stacked against men. And we’re seen as just a monetary resource rather than a whole connection with the child,” he said.

For many involved with the project, like Smoch, volunteering is a way to give back and share their experiences with others currently facing similar challenges.

For more information on Modern Man Family Project, click here.

by Sydney Chisholm

Single fathers helping single fathers

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