Fadwa’s Story

To say Fadwa is driven is an understatement. She doesn’t dream of becoming a surgical nurse, she is actively taking steps to make it happen. And to make her mother proud.

Fadwa lost her mother to cancer when she was just 13 years old. Her father expected Fadwa to assume her mother’s responsibilities and moved the family often, keeping them distanced from any extended family. She was not allowed to have friends or participate in extracurricular activities. She attended five different high schools and managed to maintain excellent grades while she cooked, cleaned, and took care of her two brothers and father.

At 17, she was abandoned by her father and placed in SCO’s foster care program. SCO helped stabilize the teen, placed her with a foster family, and eventually was able to locate a maternal aunt who opened her heart and home to her long-lost niece through kinship foster care.

Despite her early challenges, Fadwa stays focused on the opportunities ahead of her. SCO’s foster care staff helped her prepare for college; guiding her through the application process and helping her achieve both a Dream USA Scholarship and a Youth in Foster Care Award.  Currently a student at Borough of Manhattan Community College, SCO helped her secure an internship with a surgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Fadwa’s goal is to keep her GPA high enough to get into nursing school. And we have no doubt she will achieve this and so much more.

 

← Back

Fathers’ Program

SCO’s Fathers’ Program helps fathers reconnect with their children and develop essential parenting skills through classes, workshops, and support groups – plus special events for the whole family. The program provides a supportive environment where fathers can feel safe to share their concerns and learn from one another. This program is designed for non-custodial fathers in partnership with Department of Youth and Community Development.

Parenting skills classes, individual and family counseling, case management, anger management classes, domestic violence prevention classes, parent advocacy, child support & visitation assistance; educational & employment counseling; Father-to-Father mentoring; family budgeting; and mediation & conflict resolution training.

Who Can Benefit from this Program

Non-custodial fathers who need parenting, anger management or domestic violence classes and case management support.

Age Criteria or Other Eligibility Requirements

Non-custodial fathers in Brooklyn with one or more children under 18

How to Access this Program or Service

Contact the program director at 917-966-4620

 

This program is associated with...

A Vibrant Brownsville

Brownsville, Brooklyn is a vibrant, evolving, and unique neighborhood; and SCO is proud of our partnership with the community for over three decades.  Read More

Related News

SCO Fathers’ Program Named Fatherhood Program of the Year

July 18, 2018

Success Stories

John Brown

"SCO has a direct impact on your neighbors." Learn More

Fadwa’s Story

Foster Care and Education

“I’m going to be successful regardless of what I’ve been through." Learn More

Last year,

106

children were adopted by loving forever families

We help

1,400

children and young adults through foster care programs