Macon Violence Prevention to hold Ice Cream with Dads

On Saturday, August 24, from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m., the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) program - in partnership with Macon Mental Health matters - will hold Ice Cream with Dadsat the playground pavilion in Amerson River Park. The event is open to all fathers, grandfathers, and male guardians who wish to celebrate fatherhood in a vibrant and welcoming setting. There will be treats for sale during the time, thanks to Macon Water Ice.

"We want to bring fathers and their children out for a fun afternoon together, and to grow closer together as families," says Jonathan Barton, one of the organizers.

"We found through our Men's Mental Health Meet-ups that many dads face the same insecurities, issues, and successes with their children, and that each was looking for ways to make sure they were the best fathers they could be," says Jeremy Grissom, MVP Coordinator. "With this event, we can bring dads together to talk and watch their children play."

Ice Cream with Dadsis one of many being held around the country by a group called The Active Dad, which holds regular online meetings of fathers and father figures to discuss issues they face, learn of solutions, and find support.

For more information about "Ice Cream with Dad" and The Active Dad organization, please visitwww.theactivedad.comor contact us at[email protected].

About The Active Dad

The Active Dad's mission is to empower fathers to build strong, loving relationships with their children. They provide resources and support for health and wellness, mental health, literacy development, and effective parenting, fostering a community where fathers and their children can thrive together.

The Active Dad is an organization dedicated to empowering fathers and promoting active fatherhood. Through a variety of initiatives, events, and resources, The Active Dad provides a platform for fathers to connect, engage, share experiences, fostering a supportive community for men.

The Active Dad recognizes the vital role that fathers play in their children's lives and strives to foster a strong sense of camaraderie among dads. By organizing events like "Ice Cream with Dad," the organization aims to create a supportive community where fathers can connect, share experiences, and kids build lasting friendships.

About Macon Violence Prevention

Macon Violence Prevention is an evidence-based, multifaceted program created to address public safety in Macon-Bibb County. Supported and funded by the consolidated government, MVP is a community-wide effort that brings together elected officials, community leaders and representatives from more than 20 agencies, organizations and departments.

Though MVP is still fairly new in its implementation, it has already helped the community realize significant results in becoming safer. From 2022 to 2023, Macon-Bibb had a nearly 43% reduction in homicides, from 70 to 40. The reduction in homicides for children (those 18 years old and younger) went from 15 in 2022 to 5 in 2023 - which is a 66.7% reduction in just one year.

While other cities in Georgia and around the country also had a decline in their homicide rate, Macon-Bibb County's 43% far surpassed them. Atlanta had a 21% decline, Columbus a 12%, Savannah a 13%, Mobile, Alabama a 21%, and Jackson, Mississippi a 14%.

The MVP program operates under the guidance of the MVP Strategic Plan, which was introduced in June of 2021. Created by community stakeholders and violent crime experts, this strategic plan combines data and research with community feedback to implement proven solutions that reduce violent crime and strengthen the community over time.

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