"Fatherhood is like football," Program Manager Ruben Rodriguez tells young fathers of the Buckner Fragile Families Program. "You work with your team and you protect them, regardless of whether or not you get along with the mother of your children. You are a father, and you need to enhance your fatherhood skills to improve your relationship with your kids and their mother."

Drawing fathers into the parenting team is one of the goals of Fragile Familes. The program offers weekly sessions focused on breaking the victim mentality of participants and encouraging them to take responsibility. "It's about making a long term commitment to their families and themselves," says Rodriguez.

"Some of these people are more determined than you can imagine," says Dunn. "It's unreal, the obstacles that they've overcome."

Determination is also a guiding characteristic of the staff of Buckner, who have taken advantage of their newfound network of young fathers to expand their services yet further.

In 2001, they helped pilot the Dads on Dozers program, which provides job training in heavy machinery to young fathers. Certification as a heavy machine operator means higher pay for fathers trying to help support their children.

All of this was made possible by a grant from the Texas Fragile Families Initiative (TFFI). In their effort to secure a grant, Buckner staff relied on assistance provided by the TEES Center for Community Support (CCS). In addition to offering technical assistance workshops for TFFI, CCS researchers provided Buckner with statistics to strengthen their argument, such as the number of births in Angelina County and the age and marital status of parents.

Buckner's argument was enough to convince the review committee for TFFI. The resulting grant award for $375,802 makes Lufkin the smallest community in Texas to be awarded a grant through the program.

"In families where the father doesn't live in the home, social service organizations often ignore him completely," says Administrator Judy Morgan. "Our program is designed to help fathers understand the importance of their role in their children's lives - physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually."

In addition, Fragile Families reaches out to other members of the parenting team, such as grandparents and stepparents. The ultimate goal, says Counselor Brenda Dunn, is to help all members of the parenting team come together in the best interest of the child. That effort has been well received by the parents who rely on Buckner.

Given its local support and statewide recognition, it is no surprise that Buckner frequently entertains visitors eager to replicate its programs.