Become a Facilitator for New Pathways for Good Dads

New Pathways facilitators are committed volunteers who lead fatherhood classes to small groups of at-risk fathers throughout the Ozarks. They work in pairs to lead the weekly class at a Good Dads class location. Facilitators may also be required maintain a case management file for each of their participants.

The best facilitators also serve as mentors to dads in the program. They can offer advice when a man confides in him, or can provide tangible assistance for their participants, such as giving someone a ride to and from class. In many cases, Good Dads can provide an hourly stipend for the work of New Pathways facilitators when it comes to leading a class and maintaining case management notes.

Skills requested: Interpersonal and communication skills are critical for this role as facilitators are expected to lead a group of between 6–20 men through a 90-minute course clearly and punctually. Volunteers should have excellent listening skills, be able to maintain collaborative relationships and be able to work well in team. They need to be comfortable working with populations who struggle with addiction or who have prior felonies. Folks who have experience in the fields of nursing, social work, counseling or education will be well-suited for this role, but anyone who is passionate about empowering, encouraging and inspiring fathers to be Good Dads will also do a great job!

Organization and preparedness are important skills for volunteers to possess. Each New Pathways lesson involves a combination of video clips, activities, handouts, small group discussion, etc. That said, facilitators are not expected to do everything by themselves. The Good Dads staff will supply training and materials necessary for running a class. Good Dads also provides a simple meal for many of its classes. Facilitators are encouraged to eat with their participants prior to each class session.

Requirements and Commitment: Facilitators should be able to accomplish the following:
• Invite meaningful conversation at the men’s group, while ensuring everyone has an opportunity to speak. Be flexible. Be able to identify and apply appropriate boundaries in a class setting
• Work well with a partner facilitator in a respectful and professional manner
• Understand each module to adequately lead classes using the material
• Follow each module’s instructions and keep participants on task
• Maintain a strict degree of privilege for New Pathways clients—what men discuss in class should not be fodder for gossip or rumors.

Facilitators can expect to commit to the following:
• Lead a weekly Good Dads class, between 8 and 15 weeks at a time
• Communicate regularly with the Good Dads Case Manager Supervisor
• Be respectful in both applying and receiving feedback from a supervisor
• Maintain case management notes and submit them in a timely manner

Locations: Captains do not volunteer at the Good Dads offices. Instead they are expected to arrive at one of the Good Dads class locations throughout Springfield and the Ozarks. Good Dads will work on a case-by-case basis to identify facilitators best suited for each class location.

Time: Once a week or more, typically between 2 and 2.5 hours on a weeknight, for a minimum of 8–15 weeks