Special Events and Alliances
Past Community Events
Father: The Monologues
In May 2013 REEL FATHERS joined with StoryHealers International to produce an evening of first-person narratives by a striking cross-section of men on what it’s like to be a father. Ranging from a 19-year-old Native American expectant father in college to an 80-year-old great-grandfather, the men worked with writing coaches in a 4-day workshop. They responded to writing prompts like “The story I don’t want to tell…” and crafted four memorable monologues that they performed for the public at the Santa Fe Playhouse. At turns humorous, candid, surprising and moving, the men’s real-life stories of how they raised – or anticipate raising – their children made a powerful impression on all who attended.
Father’s Day Fiesta
In 2010 REEL FATHERS conceived Father’s Day Fiesta – Santa Fe’s first community-wide celebration of Father’s Day. For two years in 2011 and 2012 REEL FATHERS co-produced the event with Young Fathers of Santa Fe. It brought families and community members together from every part of the city to enjoy an afternoon of free music, dancing, games and festive activities in the heart of the city in the Santa Fe Railyard Park.
Fathers were honored through remarks from the stage and a communal procession. Local poets “slammed” about fathers, sharing vivid feelings and insights. Elected representatives State Senator Peter Wirth and State Representative Brian Egolf shared their perspectives on how being a father has enriched their lives. Each year's event concluded with an outdoor screening under the stars of a classic film featuring a vivid father character – Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.
| "I've learned to push my son to work for his dreams -- and never doubt or talk down to him!" ~ Ignacio G. |
Father’s Day Fiesta was supported by City Councilors, the Mayor and numerous local businesses. It was a successful event with some 600-700 family and community members attending each year. The event was well promoted in the local media with a front-page story and photos each year in the Santa Fe New Mexican. The positive media exposure for Father’s Day Fiesta was invaluable in helping to elevate the perception of fathers in the community -- a key part of REEL FATHERS' mission.
REEL FATHERS is currently building the capacity needed to continue producing this major community event.
Feature stories on Father’s Day Fiesta in the Santa Fe New Mexican:
Santa Fe New Mexican – Father’s Day Fiesta 2010
Santa Fe New Mexican – Father’s Day Fiesta 2011
Links to partnering organizations for Father’s Day Fiesta:
Young Fathers of Santa Fe
Santa Fe Railyard Community Corporation
Regional Events and Alliances
New Mexico Fatherhood Forums – 2010 and 2012
New Mexico Alliance for Fathers and Families (NMAFF)
In 2010 REEL FATHERS played a lead role in advocating for, planning, and producing the New Mexico Fatherhood Forum. One of six in the nation, the Forum was co-hosted with the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships and the U.S. Department of Agriculture/NM Office of Rural Development (USDA).
The event was held at UNM Valencia in Los Lunas, NM. Some 100 state officials, policy makers, program service providers, fathers, and youth participated by invitation in a Policy Roundtable. An additional 100 members of the public and media attended a Public Forum. The event received local press and television coverage.
One of the enduring benefits of the Forum was the formation of the NM Alliance for Fathers and Families (NMAFF). This group of some 20 community-based organizations, social service providers and state government agencies came together to produce the Forum. The Alliance is now a statewide organization working to make New Mexico a national leader as a “father-friendly” state.
The other enduring benefit of the Forum was the creation of a comprehensive Forum Report. REEL FATHERS took the lead with a small team of Alliance members to present the key findings of the Policy Roundtable in four areas:
- Education and Early Childhood
- Health and Human Services
- Judicial
- Workforce/Economic Development
The Report is now a blueprint for action in each of these four policy areas. It was presented to the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships and USDA. Both distributed it nationally to their affiliates. The Report continues to be distributed to government officials, service providers, and elected representatives throughout the state, calling attention to the important needs of fathers and families. Read the NM Fatherhood Forum Report.
The Alliance produced a second NM Fatherhood Forum on August 10, 2012 in Las Cruces that featured nationally known keynote speakers and numerous workshops with CEU credits. The Alliance has established the Forum as a bi-annual statewide event with the next one scheduled to take place in Taos in August 2014.
