As we celebrate Father’s Day, we're reminded of just how powerful a father’s presence can be in the life of a girl. At Girls For A Change (GFAC), we’ve seen firsthand the healing, hope, and joy that comes from strengthening the bond between fathers and daughters—even in the most challenging of circumstances.
 

Daughters shares real stories of girls reuniting with their incarcerated fathers through our Date With Dad program. It’s more than a dance—it’s a moment of transformation. This Father’s Day, we invite you to take action by spreading awareness of the film, the work, and the Impact campaign. 

For over a decade, GFAC has run the Date With Dad Program in correctional facilities. This initiative gained national attention and was featured in the award-winning documentary Daughters, co-directed by Angela Patton, which premiered at Sundance and is now on Netflix.
 

The Date With Dad Program is a 10-12 week initiative that educates incarcerated fathers on their parenting roles and helps them build strong relationships with their daughters. Mothers or caregivers also receive support through programming and workshops, ensuring family alignment for the dance, which celebrates these important relationships.

This program creates a valuable chance for fathers to engage in positive mentorship and bonding and has been proven to reduce recidivism rates. As part of our Impact Campaign, we are excited to begin opening up the program to correctional facilities, allowing them to partner with GFAC and implement it in their facilities. 

You can support this effort by making a donation to the Impact Campaign, allowing us to continue scaling and reintroducing the program in correctional facilities across the country.

Frank Walker, a father featured in Daughters, and Chad Morris, the Fatherhood Coach in Daughters, spoke at the 27th Annual Father and Family Practitioners Conference hosted by NPCL and Dr. Jeffrey Johnson. 

Chad Morris and Angela Patton were both presented with awards for their commitment to promoting responsible fatherhood and strengthening families. 

"It was a true honor to present 'A Year One Reflection on the Award-Winning and Highly Acclaimed Documentary: Daughters.'

Alongside the incredible Frank Walker, we engaged in a powerful and reflective dialogue—sharing insights, lessons learned, and the deep emotional truths behind harmful carceral visitation practices and the transformative power of family reunification.

We explored how the courageous voices of young girls who chose to celebrate their fathers and the unwavering mission of GFAC to prepare Black girls for the world—and the world for Black girls—is evidenced by the love story that is Daughters.

In a room filled with practitioners, social service agency workers, advocates, and policymakers from across the country, we shared not just a story, but a movement. A movement rooted in healing, hope, and the ongoing heart work that continues long after the credits roll.

Frank’s lived experience brought a profound depth to our discussion—his journey as an incarcerated father, the challenges he faced, and the growth he’s embraced as a man and a dad. His voice is a testament to resilience and the power of second chances.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, listened with open hearts, and continues to do the work that uplifts families and centers love in justice. Thank you, Dr.Jeffery Johnson and NPCL!"
- Chad Morris