Local Non-profit Event Looks To Enhance The Relationship Between Fathers And Daughters

By RayJaun Stelly, The Seattle Medium

​A relationship that’s often overlooked is the one between father and daughter, one that FAST (Fathers And Sons Together), a local non-profit organization, will look to embrace and grow during their ‘Dad and Daughter’s Day’ set to take place June 24 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Rainier Beach Community Center located on 8825 Rainier Avenue South.

Dad and daughter day is designed to help create and continue that family bond, with a focus on fathers being the glue and providing the strength to keep families together, which is so special that it is unbreakable.
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According to organizers, the event will highlight the importance between father and daughter, continuing to create positive outlets and resources for the bond between them to grow positively for a lifetime.

“It takes a king to make a princess,” said Cathie Wilmore, co-director of FAST. “We elevate our fathers and daughters to that status because what you see is who you become. If that father is not that king we elevate him to be that, if that daughter doesn’t feel like a princess we elevate her to feel that way.”

“This event sets the foundation for these relationships to grow,” continued Wilmore. “It’s never too late or too early to have this moment; there’s no age for either the father or daughter for this event.”

For daughters attending the event, they’ll be able to engage in empowering activities such as education to help provoke their minds. For the fathers, FAST has partnered with a Black Homes initiative to help those fathers who aren’t homeowners become one.

With both resources going hand in hand, this helps set a standard between father and daughter.

“The fathers set that precedent for the daughters, the reason why we do the event is for fathers to have the opportunity to bond with their daughter,” said Wilmore. “But we have to realize that in order for our daughters to grow up to be strong women, the foundation has to be built and help them understand they’re just as important as sons. Continuing to build that role model of what a positive father looks like in a positive place.”

​With Isaiah Anderson serving as the emcee, and DJ Tyrone Kennedy playing music, guest speakers, and food the event promises to be an extension of the love that permeates throughout the community following Father’s Day.

“The event is critically important; a daughter tends to find a mate that’s an extension of her father. We need to create positive environments to help continue that example, fathers are the first impression of what love looks like, and relationships look like,” said Wilmore. “It’s important for fathers to show up for their daughters, we don’t want to shy away from building that strong family foundation.”​