Father's Day brings a new buzz: "Men having a positive conversation, that's a teachable moment"



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Responsible fathers make a difference in the lives of their children, but in the community as a whole. There's a nationwide effort also going on here in Milwaukee that's celebrating fathers while helping them navigate through life.

As a child sits in a barber's chair, he is prepped not only for a fresh hair cut but lessons of a lifetime.

"The kids coming into the barbershop, they sitting there and see other men having a positive conversation and that`s a teachable moment," said Alphonso Pettis, Fatherhood Buzz coordinator. "Also, they're getting educated."

"You never know what you are going to get, the topic of discussion always changes," said Mel Randle, father and barber.

In the confines of these shops, personal and public issues, ranging from family to politics, health, money, and other life issues are discussed.

"When  men come through the door they come in get a haircut but they also come in just to have a place to have a voice," said Pettis.

So Father's Day weekend is the perfect time to not only celebrate fathers but also shape their roles as dads and men in the community.

"It feels good. I'm new to this and I'm learning a lot as I`m going," said Jallahni Shabazz, father.

As part of President Obama's nationwide Fatherhood Buzz initiative, barbershops are connecting dads with local resources to help build strong families.

"There`s support, there are other avenues as far as if they need assistance being self-sufficient in their families, being able to get their driver`s license recovery, child support services," said Pettis.

As well as encouraging by giving out helpful tools, a car wash, even a meal. The celebratory event was a cut above the rest.

"We are here to celebrate Father's Day, we are here to celebrate family, we are here to celebrate children," Pettis.

The Father's Day events are just getting started. There will be another Annual Father's Day even Sunday, June 14th at Sherman and Burleigh from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. with food and entertainment.