AVANCE showcases the critical role of fatherhood during the ¡Qué Padre! Fathers Impacting Lives panel discussion

“Children don’t come with a manual!” said Harris County Pct. 2, Commissioner Adrian García. Every father in the room nodded in agreement. This image of men acknowledging what other parents shared was a constant throughout the AVANCE-Houston’s fundraising event ¡Qué padre! Fathers Impacting Lives, held last Tuesday, July 25, in the private rooftop suite at Minute Maid Park.

At the event’s start, Paula Harris, the Executive Director of the Astros Foundation, gave a warm welcome and spoke about the foundation’s work. She mentioned how their partnership with organizations like AVANCE helps them in their mission to offer free programs to children living in low-income communities.

Executive Director Luz Flores thanked the attendees for supporting AVANCE and emphasized the significance of a father in a child’s life and how AVANCE programs promote the active participation of fathers in their children’s lives.

Following her words, Keith Argueta, Board Interim Treasurer, delivered the opening remarks. Argueta talked briefly about his family and thanked his wife for working together in raising their three daughters. “I couldn’t do it without her,” he said.

The event was moderated by Saul Valentin, a former AVANCE Chair, who welcomed guests and a diverse panelists group: Harris County Pct. 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, Board of Directors member Dr. Sandeep Kibey, Executive Director of The Jung Center Dr. Sean Fitzpatrick, AVANCE-Houston Vice Chair Policy Council member Bryant Robinson, and President of Challenge Office Products Inc. John Barbosa.

During the hour-long panel discussion, the panelists recounted their own experiences raising their children and expressed gratitude for the valuable life lessons they learned from their fathers.

“It was 1988, and my father told me that from that day on, we would support AVANCE. And I asked: Why? He said: ‘Because they get it! The core of their mission is to take the family in as a whole. The home is the first school, and the mother and the father are the first teachers,” Barbosa said.

Kibey shared his agreement with Barbosa and took a moment to reflect on how his father had raised him. He acknowledged that all parents strive to do their best for their kids and recognized the sacrifices his parents made for him. Kibey attributed his success to their efforts, stating that he wouldn’t be where he is today without them. Looking back on his childhood, Kibey appreciated how his dad prioritized education and worked hard to provide him and his siblings with opportunities for higher education.

During the panel, Valentin inquired about “daddy guilt.” In response, Robinson shared his personal experience. He described how, after making decisions for his children, he often questions whether he has given them the right advice or if he’s leading them in the right direction. Robinson also mentioned that he did not have a father figure to turn to for guidance in such situations, as he grew up without a father.

Fitzpatrick then added: “Daddy guilt is tied to responsibility. And it’s called anticipatory guilt. You hope it will work out, but you’ll feel like it’s your responsibility if it doesn’t. That’s very common. So yes, absolutely – daddy guilt is real (…). It is very clear that when fathers are involved in the educational life of the children, the children perform better in school, have fewer behavioral problems, have higher attendance, and participation in after-school activities, better verbal skills.

Their math performance is way higher if they have a close relationship with their father. So, if a father shows up for their children, it has a measurable impact throughout their life.”

“In today’s modern world, abundant information and distractions exist for our children to navigate. We must acknowledge this complexity and make a concerted effort to understand their experiences and perspectives. By establishing our values and finding ways to connect with their world, we can better interpret and guide them through it,” Commissioner Garcia added to the conversation.

Immediately after the panel discussion, attendees were taken to their seats to enjoy the game between the Houston Astros and their all-time rivals, the Texas Rangers. The Astros once again brought all the joy to the field, winning the game 4-3!

Thanks to The Astros Foundation and Challenge Office Products and Furniture Solutions for sponsoring ¡Qué padre! Fathers Impacting Lives panel discussion. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Parent-Child (PCEP) and Adult Education Programs.