Multi-event program centered around the nationally recognized fatherhood program, Awesome Dads Awesome Men (A.D.A.M.)
All photos courtesy of CBCI
Submitted Fran Folic
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fl, 2026) – Community-Based Connections, Inc. (CBCI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering youth development, family strengthening, and community empowerment services to underserved populations, successfully wrapped-up Fatherhood Week 2026, serving hundreds of fathers and families throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties. The multi-day community initiative centered around the theme Fathers, Faith & Family.
The impactful initiative provided fathers, father figures, and men throughout South Florida with opportunities to engage in conversations focused on mental health awareness, economic empowerment, family connection, domestic violence awareness, mentorship, and community support. The programs included Doing Business with Dad, Domestic Violence Awareness Conversations, Cuts & Conversations, A Father’s Day Breakfast and a Fathers, Faith & Family Day which focused on healing through shared experiences to break generational trauma, promote brotherhood and accountability, and build stronger support systems for fathers and families.
“CBCI is proud of the work that we do to support fathers and help strengthen families which is why our Fatherhood Week was so important to us,” said Mikelange Olbel, president and CEO of Community-Based Connections, Inc. “Fatherhood Week was an extension of our year-round work which aims to create opportunities for education, connection, mentorship, and personal growth while highlighting the critical role fathers play in building strong families and thriving communities.”
Fatherhood Week is tied to CBCI’s nationally recognized fatherhood program, Awesome Dads Awesome Men (A.D.A.M.), a mentoring program funded by the Jim Moran Foundation for fathers and men in Broward County. The program allows participants to become part of a group in which they learn about relationships, children, parenting, and much more in a non-threatening environment. This program takes an evidence-based approach, recognizing the needs of fathers and the significant impact they have on their children and families, helping them strengthen family relationships, improve parenting skills, increase economic stability, and become more actively engaged in the lives of their children.
CBCI’S Fatherhood Week was held in collaboration with Broward based entities: City of Fort Lauderdale, HHS, CSC Broward, Jim Moran Foundation, Deluca Foundation, Farris Foundation, Just Cuts Barbershop, Cox Media Group, I Am Kingdom Ministries, New Mount Olive Baptist Church, Handy, FPL, HEART, Women In Distress and Eta Nu. Palm Beach collaborators are Palm Beach County, City of Riviera Beach, HHS, Riviera Beach SBA, The Lord’s Place, Palm Beach County Clergy Alliance, Saint Paul AME Church, AVDA, YWCA, Destiny by Choice and D.R. Hair Studio.
CBCI’s Mikelange Olbel moderates a Domestic Violence Conversation at Honda of South Miami Penthouse Performance Studio at CMG Miami as part of Fatherhood Week 2026 in Broward County. All photos courtesy of CBCI
For more than 16 years, CBCI has provided programs and services dedicated to supporting families and underserved communities throughout South Florida. Through initiatives centered on youth development, violence prevention, fatherhood engagement, and family support, CBCI continues to expand access to resources and opportunities that promote long-term community wellness and stability.
About Community-Based Connections, Inc.
Community-Based Connections, Inc. (CBCI) is a nonprofit human services organization with more than 16 years of expertise in delivering youth development advocacy and family resilience strengthening programs, plus health and community empowerment initiatives to underserved populations in Broward County. CBCI was founded upon the belief that service providers who have natural ties to the community are in the best position to help improve the odds of youth and family success. The CBCI mission is to expand the options available to children – from cradle to college – that promote their social and academic growth, equipping them with the skills they need to overcome challenges and thrive in adulthood. CBCI programs services that engage, encourage and motivate include the Young Believers Program, Family Strengthening Program, S.M.A.R.T. Team, New Day Diversion, and the Early Achievers Program. For more information about programs in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
