Parenthood Awards and Scholarship Foundation

Organization Summary:

According to Professor Norihiro Sadato, the study lead and professor at the National Institute for Physiological Sciences, "We've been able to find scientific proof that a person performs better when they receive a social reward…” (Forbes | Nov. 2012).  The Parenthood Awards and Scholarships Foundation is a public nonprofit charitable organization that uses public events and essay writing competitions to reengage men back into the lives of their families. Simultaneously, while uplifting fathers and fathers-figures, our events act as fundraising opportunities to help fulfill the organization’s objectives. 

18.3 million children (1 in 4 children), live without a biological, step-father, or adoptive father in the home. Research by the U.S. Census Bureau also shows when a child is raised in a father-absent home, he or she is affected in the following ways:                

• 4X Greater risk of poverty
• 7X More likely to become pregnant as a teen
• More likely to have behavioral problems
• More likely to face abuse and neglect
• 2X Greater risk of infant mortality
• More likely to abuse drugs and alcohol
• More likely to go to prison
• 2X More likely to suffer obesity
• More likely to commit crime
• 2X More likely to drop out of high school

Through the Fatherhood Awards, an event that publicly celebrates fathers and father-figures for the superior achievements they perform in the lives of their family and communities; and through Family Fest DFW, a celebratory and fun-filled event tailored for the entire family, PASF brings families together while helping men thrive in their personal lives, families and communities.

Organization Objective:

• Uplift Fathers & Celebrates Fatherhood in public forums, reinforcing their importance and their impact in the lives of their children, and the children the mentor;
• Empower & Strengthen fathers and father-figures financially, mentally, socially and physically through a series of life-skills and educational workshops;
• Combat the ailments of Father-Absence, thus reducing the negative impacts and hindrances of children and the family unit; and
• Provide better financial foundations and opportunities for high school-aged youth through our scholarship program for students pursuing degrees and trades of higher education.

We accomplish our objectives through our series of events and programs.

• Family Fest DFW – A Festival of unity, fun, food, and celebration for the entire family.
• The Fatherhood Awards – An elegant evening much like the Grammy’s with tailored categories befitting fathers and father-figures.
• Essay Writing Competition – Both a scholarship entry and family bonding program that builds unity among fathers and their children, while providing scholarships to school aged youth.

More About The Fatherhood Awards:

The Fatherhood Awards grew in attendance by 300% between the first and second year.  Our third year, 2020, was trending to double in attendance over 2019’s numbers.  Unfortunately, covid-19 caused us to postpone the event.  Due to the uncertainly of restrictions in 2021 we decided to postpone the event again.  We hope to produce the Fatherhood Awards in 2022, along with Family Fest DFW.

More About Family Fest DFW:

This is the inaugural year for Family Fest DFW.  It will be held on August 28^th at the Red Tail Pavilion (formerly the Amphitheater at Oak Point Park) in Plano, TX.  Family Fest DFW is a day in the park that concludes with a live concert series featuring 3 well-known local bands.  It’s a day of exposure and shopping, including local arts and craft vendors, and some of the area’s finest food vendors and food trucks. 

During the day the festival’s activities are tailored towards the kids, featuring water slides, bounce houses, face painting, snow cones, and almost any fun thing you can image.  As the evening progresses, live recording artists perform on the main stage for a live concert – Neo Soul Night Under The Stars (so bring your lawn chairs or stadium seats and cooler).