Teen Father Aims for Success

Quantrell Beckham speaks to Teen DADS Graduates and their families while Teen DADS Program Coordinator Roosevelt Muhammad (right) listens

Staff Report

Teen father, 18-year-old Quantrell Beckham, wants to be a good father to his stepdaughter Jordan (in his arms in the photo above) and his 4-month-old daughter Areanna. To reach that goal, he has taken advantage of the available resources to help him to be a good father and provider for 20-month old Jordan (in his arms) and 4-month-old Areanna. Beckham is a 2014 alumnus of the Fulton County Teen DADS (Determined Active Dedicated Supportive) program who successfully obtained a job with McDonalds on February 23, 2015 and has already worked his way up to Crew Manager for the fast food restaurant. Beckham was one of several young fathers who spoke to a group of 28 Teen DADS graduates and their families on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 during a Teen DADS graduation ceremony at the H.J.C. Bowden Senior Multipurpose facility. Beckham is currently working to obtain his GED to help him to provide for his daughters. After receiving his GED, Beckham wants to attend Georgia Tech to become a Mechanical or an Electrical Engineer.

The Teen Dads program emerged out of the historic “Call to Manhood Conference.” The program provides comprehensive support services to young fathers to promote family stability through competent parenting skills, child health and welfare, financial, social stability, legal (legitimation) and healthy co-parenting relations.

The overall goal is to strengthen families by providing our young fathers with the skills, knowledge and tools needed to provide appropriate care for their children’s financial and emotional needs.