Fathers' Support Group Plans Xmas Get-together

Illawarra Mercury

Monday December 17, 2007

By ALEX ARNOLD

MORE than 200 men have passed through Wollongong's Dads in Distress support group since it formed five years ago.

Co-ordinator Phillip York said this is evidence of the demand for a non-custodial fathers' group, something that had been previously lacking in the Illawarra region.

Mr York said there have been some success stories, which in most cases means fathers regaining some degree of access to their children.

"We've had guys turn up living out of the car, others contemplating suicide," Mr York said.

"For some of these guys there has been a 180-degree turn around."

On Thursday night the volunteers at Dads in Distress Wollongong are holding a Christmas barbecue and Mr York is calling on all past and present members to attend.

The aim of the event is to provide a social outlet for potential new members, but also for previous members to return and share their story.

"Christmas can be quite a difficult time for a lot of people in the community for a lot of different reasons, but mainly due to grief associated with separation of one form or another," Mr York said.

"We want to encourage all dads within the community who have been separated from their family to attend."

Thursday's barbecue will be held at Centacare in Auburn St.

Contact 0401 854 746 for more information.

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

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