IowaFathers.com Hosting Non-Custodial Parents Rally

IowaFathers.com is hosting their a rally on 4/21/07. Per email:

On Saturday, April 21, 2007, we are holding our first ever Non-Custodial Parents Rally in Des Moines in observance of Parental Alienation Awareness Day, which is April 25th. Our guest speakers include Presidential candidate Dr. Mark Klein, Stephen Baskerville, PhD, the president of American Coalition for Fathers and Children (ACFC), Dick Woods of Fathers for Equal Rights, Pastor Ron Smith of Children Need Both Parents, Inc (Chicago, IL), among others. The event is being held from noon until 3:00 p.m. at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, 227 Walnut St., Des Moines, Iowa, 50309-2104.

IowaFathers.com works to Oust Judge Pelton

IowaFathers.com is encouraging residents of District 7 in Iowa (Cedar, Clinton , Jackson , Muscatine , and Scott Counties) to vote no to Judge Pelton on November 7th.

An article about their efforts can be seen here: Group works to oust judge

This is all verbatim from email:

The Quad Cities Times article did not report that Judge Pelton is asking voters of District 7 to give him a six (6) year, guaranteed salary of $875,000 without stating where he stands on the issue of joint physical care. The article failed to mention that Judge Pelton refused to respond to a survey requesting information from him about joint physical care and child custody arrangements. The article failed to state that Judge Pelton received the lowest ratings in his district and ranked second lowest in the state by the Iowa Bar Association in their 2006 Plebiscite. Many other issues were not touched in the article.

When Judge Pelton restricts access of children to good loving qualified parents, without meeting any compelling state interest, he is acting as an activist judge, trampling on constitutional rights, and no longer are citizens of Iowa going to tolerate such judicial activism.

On November 7, 2006, please encourage all friends and family members residing in Cedar, Clinton , Jackson , Muscatine , and Scott Counties to Vote NO for Judge Charles Pelton.

SD Shared Parenting meeting

SD Shared Parenting meeting

The South Dakota Coalition for Shared Parenting will be meeting at the Sioux Falls Downtown library November 1, 2006 from 7PM till 9PM.

The library is located at 201 North Main in Sioux Falls. If you have questions about locating the library please call them at 367-8720.

We will be working out plans for getting information to the Taskforce on divorce, custody, and education.

Please pass the word to anyone who would like to be at the meeting and bring a friend.

http://www.sdsharedparenting.com/

New Website - North Dakota Shared Parenting Initiative

North Dakota Shared Parenting Initiative

Equal Parents Week Rally - Michigan

Dads of Michigan will be holding an Equal Parents Week Rally on September 27th.

Excerpts from the website:

DADS OF MICHIGAN will observe Equal Parents Week (EPW), September 24 – September 30, 2006. Equal Parents Week brings attention to the need for both parents to share their parental rights and responsibilities equally, the right of children to be raised and nurtured by both parents, and the right of families to exist and function as a family. These are civil and human rights inherent and inalienable to all families. Our recent national tragedies further highlight the importance of parents and family. Public and home candlelight vigils observing EPW and the victims of terrorism will also take place on September 27 across the nation and world.

WANTED: Women Who Aren't Insane

Wanted: A Few Good Sperm

This is from the NY Times which means you may need to register to read it. Try Bugmenot for login info.

The only thing I can say about this article that does not involve expletives is THANK GOD I HAVE A REAL, ACCESSIBLE, DEVOTED AND LOVING FATHER. As much as I question decisions my mother has made I don't think she could ever be as selfish as the women chronicled.

Excerpts:

Karyn said she hoped to join a population of women that everyone agrees is expanding, although by how much is hard to pin down because single mothers by choice (or choice mothers), as they are sometimes called, aren't separated statistically from, say, babies born to unwed teenagers. Between 1999 and 2003 there was an almost 17 percent jump in the number of babies born to unmarried women between ages 30 and 44 in America, according to the National Center for Human Statistics, while the number born to unmarried women between 15 and 24 actually decreased by nearly 6 percent. Single Mothers by Choice, a 25-year-old support group, took in nearly double the number of new members in 2005 as it did 10 years ago, and its roughly 4,000 current members include women in Israel, Australia and Switzerland. The California Cryobank, the largest sperm bank in the country, owed a third of its business to single women in 2005, shipping them 9,600 vials of sperm, each good for one insemination.

Buying sperm over the Internet, on the other hand, is not much different from buying shoes. (emphasis mine)

Karyn carried a wallet-size copy of the donor's photo between her MetroCard and her work ID. (She carries a picture around of this guy - she has developed some sort of emotional attachment to a freaking picture and yet she sees no problem with bringing a child into the world who will have no formative relationship with this man - THEIR FATHER.)

Last October, when I visited the Manhattan apartment of Daniela, a 38-year-old German advertising executive who had recently been inseminated with the sperm of a male friend, her guest room was peppered with toys belonging to the young son of a visiting friend who had broken up with the boy's father by the time he was born. "They got a child out of love, and the parents couldn't deal with one another," Daniela, who asked that I use only her first name, told me. "And now she lives in Germany; he lives here. He doesn't pay any money if he doesn't see the child. So there's a constant battle over it. The child is torn in between. She has to deal with the father. I won't have to deal with the father." (emphasis mine - but really this is just sick. It's not just about you, it's about the child's relationship with its father.)

She was also attracted by the idea of a donor of another race. "I believe in multiculturalism," she said. "I would probably choose somebody with a darker skin color so I don't have to slather sunblock on my kid all the time. I want it to be a healthy mix. You know how mixed dogs are always the nicest and the friendliest and the healthiest? If you get a clear race, they have all the problems. Mutts are always the friendly ones, the intelligent ones, the ones who don't bark and have a good character. I want a mutt." Her African-American friends questioned this strategy, suggesting that her child's life would be harder if he or she was perceived as nonwhite, but Daniela said: "If that's what I believe, I have to go by that. And it might help the world also if more people are doing it that way." (Okay - she is comparing her future child to a mixed breed dog - lovely.)

"I see so many women who are in unhealthy relationships, where they really just try to get married and then have a child and break it off," Daniela said. "If they would consider this as an option, I think they would be happier, and the children would be happier." (Their children would be happier fatherless. I bet. However, it is equally sick to get married in order to get pregnant and then initiate a divorce. I am truly staring to believe that everyone should be temporarily sterilized when they hit puberty and then have to pass some extensive psychological tests before they can plan to have children.)

"One of the things that was so powerful about deciding to have a baby on my own was saying, I'm taking charge of this piece of it; I'm not going to wait around for a guy to give it to me. And my feelings about what I want from men right now are really changed. I don't actually want a big relationship. Now I want occasional companionship and sex." (emphasis mine)

For all the comparisons between being divorced with children and having them alone, there are critical differences: an ex-husband who spends any time at all with his kids frees up pockets of time when a woman could potentially see someone new. Even minimal child-support payments would reduce the financial burden on her, and substantial ones could allow her to work less. Perhaps most important, a child with only one parent is immensely dependent on that parent, and the mother of such a child tends to feel her responsibility acutely. It can be painful — and expensive — to leave your child with a baby sitter after a whole day away, just to go out on a date.

"I want my son to have a full sibling," she said. "I want to feel like he has one person in the world who is a complete blood relative after I'm gone. I did not want my son to feel deprived, that the other sibling had a father and he didn't." (emphasis mine. This statement was from a woman who was using the same donor to bear a second child. How funny that she is so insistent her child have a full blooded sibling - but can completely ignore the need to have an available father.)

Q. is one of several people in the group with a keen desire to meet her donor one day. And they aren't sitting idle; one woman had magnified his baby picture, in which the donor is blowing out candles on his birthday cake, to the point at which a first name may be legible. Another mother has a hunch about the donor's provenance based on the way he pronounced certain words on his audiotape. At the Washington Single Mothers by Choice meeting, I met a woman who had easily identified the donor for her 9-month-old son using Google. "The person left specific enough information for me to just type in those words and click," she told the group. "But what to do with that information? I'm bound to keep him anonymous as per the contract, but what about when my son says: 'What do you know? Tell me anything about my dad."' (Okay - this is all just too much. These women went to a sperm bank to find an anonymous donor but are now searching out these donors... So maybe they don't so much want to do it on their own they just couldn't find anyone willing to knowingly impregnate them. Okay, that is cruel but jeez these men donated under conditions of anonymity. So these women don't care about the benefits that come from having children with a willing and involved partner - they also don't care about contractual obligations of anonymity AND they are admitting that their children will want to know about their other parent - that their children will be missing out compared to children in traditional families. BUT this was still the best thing they COULD DO FOR THEMSELVES so screw the long term.)

Whenever he was in earshot, Shelby spelled out the word D-A-D; lately Christopher had become fixated on the idea of a daddy. "He goes to a day care, and he's the only child of a single mother in his class. I think they spend a lot of time talking about Daddy," she told me. Christopher had referred to a neighbor as Daddy, as well as Regis Philbin. "Interestingly, he doesn't call my boyfriend Daddy; he's 'mamma's friend.' The other day, I said, 'Someone special's coming to see you today — do you know who it is?' I expected him to say [her boyfriend's name]. But he said, 'Daddy?"' The single mothers by choice I spoke with generally hold that the story of their children's origins should be told to them from the time of birth, long before the child is old enough to understand it. But Shelby feels that at 2, Christopher is too young to hear that he doesn't have a father. (the emphasis is always mine)

Her boyfriend usually visits on Sunday mornings. "A huge wave of relief comes over me," Shelby said. She can relax or do dishes or take a nap. "I feel, like, Wow, this must be what it's like to have a husband every day of the year. I can do my own thing, but I love to just stand across the room and watch them together."

Riverside offers class for divorced parents - MA

Riverside offers class for divorced parents

The state Probate and Family Courts require parents who are divorcing to attend a parent education program to help them understand the effects of divorce on children. Riverside's Outpatient Center has been selected as an provider of this program and will offer its Partners for Positive Co-Parenting program approximately once each month.

Partners for Positive Co-Parenting is led by family counseling professionals and consists of two 2-1/2 hour sessions. Attendance at both sessions is mandatory in order to fulfill court requirements, The sessions are designed to provide parents with the skills necessary to best help their children respond to the divorce, to recognize the warning signs of poor adjustment, and to deal effectively with stress. Topics covered include the development of successful co-parenting strategies, child custody and visitation issues and information about other community resources.

The first sessions will be held on March 28 and April 4, from 6:30-9 p.m., with both sessions held at Riverside Outpatient Center, 338 Main St. Divorcing spouses will not be placed in the same class. Cost: $65. For information, call 781-246-2010.

Men's Rights Group Eyes Child Support Stay

Men's Rights Group Eyes Child Support Stay

I have to say that I agree with this idea in theory. I do think that men are afforded little choice other than to react to the choice of the woman. And as noted in the article, bringing a child into the world will have a huge impact on the future of both parents. It seems reasonable to assert that where the woman has a choice there should be a comparable opportunity for the male in the equation.

However, the possibility for this to actually work seems extremely unlikely. Truthfully, to me it looks like just another reason to take a he said/she said argument into court and allow judges to further intrude into family life.

My advice: If you are male and have absolutely no desire to procreate - irrespective of what a woman tells you about being on birth control, physically unable, etc.... PROTECT YOURSELF. I have a feeling that "loss of sensation" will be much preferred to fathering an unintended child.

Does this position do anything about the inequity in reproductive rights? NO. Are most of the women you know truthful when they say they are protected? Most likely. Does this make the gamble of protecting yourself not worth it? Absolutely not. Think about it, is the one who would lie about her reproductive capabilities really the one you want to have a child with?

I hate to say it this way but be a man, make the adult decision and ALWAYS, ALWAYS PROTECT YOURSELF.

Excerpts:

Contending that women have more options than they do in the event of an unintended pregnancy, men's rights activists are mounting a long shot legal campaign aimed at giving them the chance to opt out of financial responsibility for raising a child.

The National Center for Men has prepared a lawsuit - nicknamed Roe v. Wade for Men - to be filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Michigan on behalf of a 25-year-old computer programmer ordered to pay child support for his ex-girlfriend's daughter. The suit addresses the issue of male reproductive rights, contending that lack of such rights violates the U.S. Constitution's equal protection clause.

The gist of the argument: If a pregnant woman can choose among abortion, adoption or raising a child, a man involved in an unintended pregnancy should have the choice of declining the financial responsibilities of fatherhood. The activists involved hope to spark discussion even if they lose.

"There's such a spectrum of choice that women have - it's her body, her pregnancy and she has the ultimate right to make decisions," said Mel Feit, director of the men's center. "I'm trying to find a way for a man also to have some say over decisions that affect his life profoundly."

State courts have ruled in the past that any inequity experienced by men like Dubay is outweighed by society's interest in ensuring that children get financial support from two parents. Melanie Jacobs, a Michigan State University law professor, said the federal court might rule similarly in Dubay's case.

The president of the National Organization for Women, Kim Gandy, acknowledged that disputes over unintended pregnancies can be complex and bitter.

"None of these are easy questions," said Gandy, a former prosecutor. "But most courts say it's not about what he did or didn't do or what she did or didn't do. It's about the rights of the child."

Fatherhood Coalition ousts leader - MA

North Adams Transcript - Local Headlines

As with the F4J implosion - inner strife within a movement is likely unavoidable - but is regrettable all the same.

Excerpts:

The coup took place on Wednesday night, when eight members of the fathers' rights group met and voted to eject Rinaldo Del Gallo III, said Richard Hover, who claims to be the group's new president. Hover said Del Gallo's tirades, unreliability and militant stance on the subject of fathers' rights have combined to drive members away, weakening the coalition.

But Del Gallo said the vote was attended by only three of the coalition's eight officers, and thus did not constitute a majority. In a written statement, Del Gallo said that he is the spokesman of the group, and that -- since only the spokesman has the authority to make official statements on behalf of the coalition -- it is the official position of the coalition that he is still an officer and the group's spokesman. He said Hover's statements should be disregarded.

Both Hover and Del Gallo were able to name supporters who, in interviews, bolstered their version of events, and it is difficult to tell which side is actually in control of the coalition, or whether the group has survived the coup at all.

The Fatherhood Coalition is dedicated to pursuing changes in state divorce laws that would encourage judges to grant equal custody of children to fathers and mothers. Del Gallo, an attorney specializing in patent law, has brought publicity to the group through his campaigns for shared parenting legislation, his numerous appearances at City Council meetings and his failed efforts to run for office, including an incident in which he was arrested for trespassing while gathering nomination signatures outside the post office in Pittsfield.

But Hover said the net effect of Del Gallo's involvement with the coalition has been to shrink its ranks. He said the group once numbered about 150 members and now has only eight, and the majority have been chased away by Del Gallo.

Father's Rights Movement to Get English Invasion

FOXNews.com - Views - ifeminists - Father's Rights Movement to Get English Invasion

This is the latest Wendy McElroy article... You should also be able to access it at ifeminists.

Excerpts:

Fathers 4 Justice -- a fathers' rights group that originated in Britain to crusade for child custody and access rights in divorce--has just landed on American shores with the creation of F4J-US .

What do F4J and its international chapters demand? F4J essentially seeks the removal of any anti-male bias from the family court system. The specifics include a wide range of measures, including the court enforcement of visitation orders and the linking of child support payments to visitation rights.

Father's rights advocates and their opponents have waged a public strategy war, to be sure, but their weapons of choice have generally been a flood of contradictory studies, re-interpreted data, personal tales of injustice, accusations, and blasts of fury.

F4J advocates "peaceful non-violent direct action based on the Greenpeace model with a dash of humour thrown in for good measure." In Britain, the group is famous for high-profile stunts that taunt and disrupt authority.

For example, last September a F4J member dressed as Batman scaled Buckingham Palace. (search) Standing for over five hours on a ledge next to the palace's main balcony, he unfurled a huge banner reading "Super Dads of Fathers 4 Justice." "Batman" was arrested "for suspicion of causing criminal damage."

Plans for similar but unspecified "guerrilla" acts in the United States have been announced. It is not clear how aggressive the stateside actions will be.

Jamil Jabr, head of F4J-US, has been quoted in the Telegraph as saying, "We will try to maintain the audacity of the stunts...but if anyone tried that [the batman stunt] at the White House, they would be shot."

Not just the American authorities but the American public is likely to respond more harshly as well. It is not likely that New Yorkers will tolerate a re-run of the London publicity stunt by which "Spider-Man" occupied a crane that "caused" police to stop traffic flowing across the heavily-traveled Tower Bridge from early Oct. 31 to Nov. 4.

Two members of the British group visited NYC to help organize F4J-US and to scout the city for possible actions. They were followed everywhere. Jabr described one member of the surveillance team: "We learned later that he was the head of New York's terrorism intelligence branch. He had FBI connections and orders to make sure that there would be no Buckingham Palace-type incidents."

On the other hand, the father's rights radicals apparently went out for a beer with the men assigned to watch them.

I wish F4J-US well; I believe its cause is just. I also wish it prudence because I believe post-9/11 America is likely to stomp on anything that vaguely hints of violence against an official or the disruption of infrastructure.

Support Groups

I get lots of requests for help or for direction to a local support group. My capacity to help all of those who email me is severely limited and the majority of the time I get requests from men who do not have an attorney.

For that reason I feel compelled to say again that I am not an attorney and CANNOT offer legal advice. All I can offer is practical advice from my own experience and the experiences of others I have become involved with.

Also, people seem to be refraining from using the forum board and continuing to email me. It is extremely difficult for me to even slog through my email these days. I am asking again that you try and post to the forum before you email me. I have addressed all of the questions on the forum (I believe) and will continue to do so, generally much more thoroughly than I will through email.

I realize the expense of an attorney can be astronomical but in every case, if you are facing a potential legal battle, it is absolutely in your best interest to retain an attorney. I have discussed this several times and here are links to posts in this blog: Retaining Custody Step 1 Enter the Custody Evaluator Retaining Custody Step 2.

Here are various links from the blog of support groups I have discussed. I am not endorsing ANY of these groups as I do not have personal experience with them. But if they are local for you, it wouldn't hurt to check them out. If you know of others, or have personal experience (good or bad) with any listed here, please post that information in the forum. Because of the format of a blog, at times it can be very difficult to access old information so the best place to post info that can be easily accessed all the time is in the forum. Any posts that are about support groups or the like I will make sticky so they always appear at the top of the forum.
Parkersburg, OH Support Group

Jersey Support Groups

NH Co Parenting Classes

Ohio Legal Aid

Dads of Michigan

CT Custody and Visitation Seminar

Butler, PA Support Group

Alaska Self Help Legal Stations

Mississippi Legal Aid

Tennessee Legal Aid

San Bernardino Legal Aid

Also Men Against Discrimination (MAD) have chapters in the following states: Arizona, California, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington & West Virginia. They are working on chapters in Oregon, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin. If you don't see your state they are looking for people to help start new chapters.

Again, no personal experience with MAD, but it would not hurt to check them out.

Another place to look for fathers groups in your specific area would be on Meetup.com. They have a category for Fathers Rights, Non Custodial parents, Dads & Single Parents.

There is support out there, sometimes you just have to look a bit for it. All of the links on the left are also groups involved in fathers, joint custody, etc... and are good places to look for all kinds of information.

Washington Support Groups

From HeraldNet

Divorce Care: Divorce recovery, 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Monroe Community Chapel, 23515 Old Owen Road, Monroe; 360-794-6599.

Working parents: 5:30 to 7 p.m. second and fourth Mondays at Family Support Center, 6330 195th St. SW, Lynnwood; 425-670-8984.

Pittsfield, MA Support Group

From the Berkshire Eagle Online:

The Fatherhood Coalition

Meetings will address issues of reconciliation, divorce and child custody, allegations of abuse, shared parenting and fairness in raising children, free legal advice, help people with intricacies of their case, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month, at 7 p.m., Berkshire Medical Center, West Wing, Room A (adjacent to cafeteria); Some meetings will be in Dining Room B. Pittsfield. Information: Attorney Del Gallo, 443-3150.

M.A.D. fights for men's rights

From The Parthenon Online

M.A.D. fights for men's rights
By Thomas S. Fouch

The newly formed West Virginia Chapter of Men Against Discrimination (M.A.D.) is organizing to change legislation concerning how parental custody is awarded.

John Buethe, national director of M.A.D., is currently visiting West Virginia to help coordinate efforts in the state.

"There is a definite gender bias in the way parental custody is currently handled in the court system," Buethe said. "It is awarded to men only 10 percent of the time.

"Fathers are being held financially responsible and are not being allowed to participate in the decisions concerning how their children are provided for or raised, Buethe said.

Federal class action lawsuits have been filed in over 40 states on behalf of an estimated 25 million non-custodial parents, according to a news release.

The non-custodial parents who filed the suits are demanding rights to equal custody of their children be restored by the federal courts.

Tim Fittro, coordinator of the West Virginia Chapter of M.A.D., said a status hearing took place in December 2004 at the Robert C. Byrd Courthouse in Charleston, to discuss pre-trial matters.

The progress of the lawsuit will be discussed at the next M.A.D. meeting Saturday, Feb. 19. The meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at the Wood County Public Library in Parkersburg, and is open to the public.

"The next step is for the court to make a recommendation on the case," Fittro said.

The West Virginia Chapter of M.A.D., formed three months ago, has over 100 members and is planning activities on all levels of legislation and media, Fittro said.

The organization will be conducting seminars, workshops and meetings all over the state.

"It is time to look at the underlying issues," Fittro said. "Our current system regarding parental custody is destroying the American family, which is the same family that served as the backbone and foundation of our country's rise to greatness during such a short time in the overall history of civilization.

"Buethe, who will speak at the next M.A.D. meeting in February, said the organization's main goal is to promote responsible parenting and inform parents of the problems surrounding custody battles.

"Society is in real trouble if the legal system does not change its policies," he said. "Strong family values are not top priority in the courts and this creates an increase in divorce and illegitimacy.

"Nila Cobb, who has a master's degree in social work, said as a mother of two children she agrees with the goals of the M.A.D. organization.

"Each case concerning custody matters should be considered individually," Cobb said. "There are oftentimes cases in which the father should be awarded custody.

"M.A.D. plans to conduct activities in the Huntington area.

A show of support for new dads - Troy, NY

Full article at timesunion.com

A show of support for new dads
Fathers Inc. aims to teach young men to become better parents

By Rick Karlin

Kenneth Braswell is starting Fathers Inc., a nonprofit group aimed at teaching young men with children how to stay involved with their offspring and be better fathers.

"What I'm interested in is where is the father in the family equation, and how do we build the capacity of the father to become involved in the growth of the child?" said Braswell.

While plenty of support systems -- such as in-school programs and Women Infant and Children nutrition services -- exist for young moms, there is a void when it comes to helping those who become fathers, he said.

"What I found was that nobody was providing services, particularly to fathers," he said.
An estimated one-third of the nation's youth are growing up without their biological fathers present, according to Milton Scott of the National Fatherhood Initiative, a Gaithersburg, Md.-based group created 10 years ago to confront the problem of absent fathers.

Braswell said he plans to affiliate with the group. He noted that more people are paying attention to the importance fathers play in the lives of their kids. The 43-year-old Troy resident has seen a growing interest in fatherhood also.

Braswell stressed that he doesn't see his group as a "fathers rights" organization that goes to bat for men in child support and custody cases. Rather, he sees Fathers Inc. as an educational resource. His ideas include offering courses on personal finance to help fathers keep up child support payments and efforts to keep young fathers in school.

"The training component is going to be the biggest component of what we do," he said.

For more information, contact Kenneth Braswell at 221-5184 or braswell@fathersinc.org. The Web site is http://fathersinc.org

Parkersburg, Ohio Support Group

From MariettaTimes.com

MAD chapter to meet in Wood County library

PARKERSBURG - Non-custodial parents and all other persons interested in restoring and protecting parental rights and the American family are invited to attend an organizational meeting for the newly-formed West Virginia Chapter of MAD (Men Against Discrimination) Men United from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2005, in the board room at the Wood County Public Library. The status of the pending class action lawsuit in United States District Court will be discussed.

For more information: 304-295-0053.

Fathers 4 Justice - You Can't Say They Don't Make Headlines

Jolly Stanesby, a British father and a member of Fathers 4 Justice, handcuffed himself to Minister for Children Margaret Hodge at a conference in Manchester. It took a 1/2 an hour and a set of bolt cutters to release her. Mr Stanesby said it was a citizens arrest.

Reuters

CNEWS

Jersey Support Groups

BARNEGAT

SINGLE AGAIN: St. Mary's Ministry to the Divorced and Separated holds meetings with experienced facilitators 7-8 p.m. every Wednesday in the rectory, 747 W. Bay Ave. Call Deacon Ron Haunss at (609) 607-9447.

DOVER TOWNSHIP

CHILDREN'S RIGHTS: N.J. Council for Children's Rights meets 7-9 p.m. the last Wednesday of the month at the municipal building, 31 Washington St. Those experiencing separation, divorce, child support, custody and related issues are encouraged to attend. Call (732) 505-8509.

SINGLE SUPPORT: St. Joseph's support group for newly separated and divorced people meets 7:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays. Call (732) 506-6357.

KIDS AND DIVORCE/BEREAVEMENT: Center for Kids and Family, a division of Community and Kimball medical centers, is offering free support groups for children ages 6-12 who have experienced a separation or divorce in their family from 5-6 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday. Support group for children ages 7-14 who have lost a loved one meets 5-6 p.m. the first and third Thursday of each month, Cory Building, 599 Route 37 West. Call (732) 505-5437.

LACEY

DIVORCE, SEPARATION: St. Pius X Parish's support group for divorced and separated people meets once a month 7-8 p.m. at St. Pius X Ministry Building, Lacey Road, Forked River section. Call (609) 607-9447.

PINE BEACH

SINGLES GROUP: A group for singles, divorcees, widows and widowers, ages 55 and over, meets 7-11 p.m. the second and fourth Friday of the month at Pine Beach Fire Hall, Prospect Avenue. Live music, snacks, coffee and cake are planned. Fee for nonmembers is $6; members $5. Yearly dues are $10. Call (732) 269-3379 or (732) 505-0717.

STAFFORD

PARENTS WITHOUT PARTNERS: Parents Without Partners provides activities for single parents. Call (609) 978-0403.


APP.com

Nevada Group Deemed too Anti-Women

Equal Rights for Divorced Fathers, a group in Nevada started to help fathers with issues of divorce and custody, will no longer be receiving referrals from the family court.

Apparently the founder of the group has made comments like the following: "She's a mean-spirited lesbian that doesn't like me"

All I have to say is what an idiot. Look, we all have personal opinions, but this man was lucky enough to have founded an organization that was not only recognized by the family courts, but received referrals from the courts - this is something virtually no other fathers organization has been able to do. Discretion, discretion, discretion... He is a de facto member of the family court system- you simply cannot represent your organization by making these types of statements.

klastv.com

Fort Wayne, IN - Father Support Group

Borrowed from the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette:

FATHERS UNITED FOR EQUAL RIGHTS: For fathers dealing with divorce, division of property, child custody, visitation and support issues; 7:30 p.m. June 14; Pizza Hut, Northcrest Shopping Center, 701 Coliseum Blvd. E.; 493-9788.

UPDATE: An alert reader commented on this group in the thoughts section. His email is available there as well if you require more information.