Avivo launches new program supporting single fathers in their recovery
A new program at Avivo is supporting single fathers in their recovery journey, thanks to a grant which supports the program through 2028.
The program is in the early stages of hiring and developing, with housing for fathers with children to launch late 2025 to early 2026. The program for pregnant and parenting mothers began in 2008.
“We see so much success with our families being able to have supportive, safe housing and stable housing,” shares Kristen Bewley, service area director for chemical health at Avivo. “That’s what we hope for our fathers too.”
“We see so much success with our families being able to have supportive, safe housing and stable housing,” shares Kristen Bewley, service area director for chemical health at Avivo. “That’s what we hope for our fathers too.”
In addition to providing treatment and recovery services for fathers, Avivo will also add new cultural programming to their existing Intensive Outpatient Program. Programming will include culturally enriching groups and activities with the support of Ujima Healing and Consulting, as well as training and supervision to support cultural development for staff.
She shares that the first father joined the program in August. She’s also excited for one father in the program, who is currently able to spend four nights per week with his 8-month-old as he goes through treatment.
During the day, dads will work with counselors or mental health specialists and attend support groups – all part of Avivo’s intensive outpatient treatment program.
While they’re busy attending programming, dads drop off their kids with Avivo’s child development programs, so their kids are learning, playing, and following a program to support their development in preparation for their school years.
Another aspect of the grant funding Bewley is excited for is extended opportunities with 1-on-1 help for fathers. They can seek additional support from case managers to work on things such as parenting skills, enrolling their kids in school, and sustaining a family.
Bewley, whose background is in marriage and family therapy, says whatever family someone who is seeking recovery has, should be included in that process with them.
“I just don’t believe that recovery is about one person,” she says, “It’s about the whole family.”
“I just don’t believe that recovery is about one person,” she says, “It’s about the whole family.”
While many similar programs in Minnesota only support children up to around age 10. Bewley says this one will support children up to age 17, just like the current program for mothers.
Looking ahead toward short-term goals, Bewley says she’d like the program to support at least 10 fathers’ efforts to reunite with their kids by the end of the program’s first year.
She’s confident that the additional resources provided to single dads by the program will help them develop lasting skills that will help them support their families, and strengthen their relationships with their kids.
“Success looks different for each person,” Bewley says. “That’s what this program does, is it can help fathers define what recovery means for them.”
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