OUR HISTORY
The Center for Fathers and Families (CFF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency with a strong history of responding to the needs of fathers and their families by offering programs and services that lead to family growth, enrichment, and empowerment.
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CFF was founded in 1994 when Matthew C. Crain, Ed D. and the original board of directors organized after several family and friends attended a certification seminar conducted on behalf of the National Center for Fathering. Board members felt a “local chapter” was needed to promote greater involvement of fathers in their families. (CFF has no official association with the National Center for Fathering.) The vision of the founder and the Board of Directors was to provide and promote enrichment programs and services to fathers and their families.
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Early program and service activities included distributing educational materials at health fairs and family events. In addition, “building parent relationship” classes were conducted and held at local churches, community centers and hospitals in the Sacramento region. Newspaper articles that focused on fatherhood were written for local newspapers. Finally, brochures and pamphlets were produced for distribution in doctor’s offices and upon request.
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In July of 1997, Matthew Crain resigned his position as Executive Director to relocate to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Richard T. Jennings, II was officially appointed as the Executive Director by the Board of Directors the following month. He continues in that position to this day.
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CFF’s history of responding to the needs of fathers and fatherless families has positioned us as a knowledgeable leader in the fields of education, family empowerment, and father involvement. Our vision is to reestablish the important institution of fatherhood while promoting the theme that “Fatherhood is Forever” by working to reverse the trend of absentee fathers. Fathers play a vital role in the lives of their children. Without the influence of a responsible, committed, and nurturing father, children are more likely to live in poverty, have poor educational outcomes, and get involved with crime. Fathers must understand the critical role they play. The Center provides resources and support to help fathers stay involved and help their children and family thrive.
We also strive to equip each member of the family with the skills, information, and resources necessary to promote a strong family life, which in turn promotes stronger, healthier communities. To see this vision to fruition, beginning in 2007, CFF expanded our services to include the "Making After School Time Enriching and Rewarding and Successful" (MASTERS) program. MASTERS serves 1,100 low-income children and families each and every school day by providing homework assistance, enrichment activities, recreation, and health and wellness, Hands on Mentoring and education. We knew it was extremely important to partner with schools and other community based organizations in managing youth time between 3-6 PM.





Board Members
Darsey Varnedoe,
Public Affairs & Community Investments Representative
Department of External Affairs
HealthNet
Dave Smith,
David Smith, Board Vice President
Sales Director, Western Region
Nationwide Insurance
Scott Robertson,
Board Secretary
Senior Vice President
Tri Counties Bank
Joe Bittaker, Treasurer –
Board Treasurer Landmark Construction
Jerome Behrens –
Partners
Lozano Smith Attorneys at Law
John Costa –
Governmental Relations Representative
Pacific Gas & Electric
Randy Hendershot –
Co-Founder
Evolution
Susan Irwin –
Enterprise Holdings, Retired
Richard Jennings, II –
Center for Fathers and Families
Chief Executive Officer
Johnny Perez –
Community Banking Manager
"Clutch"
Jose Bodipo-Memba –
Director Sustainable Communities
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
Justin Ward –
Managing Attorney
The Ward Firm
Joseph Yost –
Director, Business Development
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Philip Arndt –
Director of Government Affairs
Comcast Cable Corporation
Administrative Staff
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RICK
Jennings
Chief Executive Officer

RICK JENNINGS
CEO
My responsibilities are to make a difference in the lives of others, to be a change agent, and to do for others what was done for me.

WANDA
Williams
Chief Financial
Officer

WANDA WILLIAMS
CFO
Finance, financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow and accounting (A/P, A/R, Payroll), risk management, human resources, administration and supporting the overall operations of our various programs

LILI
Barajas
Director of Youth Services

LILI BARAJAS
My responsibilities include supporting our Expanded Learning staff to create programs that are fun inclusive, interactive and engaging where our students can expand their horizons and have a safe place to learn and express who they are.

JANET
Gomez
Expanded Learning Support Specialist

JANET GOMEZ
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Expanded learning
support specialist
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TITINO
Williams
Title Expanded
Learning Support
Specialist

NATHAN HOUSTON
My responsibilities are to coach various MASTERS sites within both Twin Rivers and Sacramento City School districts.

TERRENCE
Martin
Adult Services
Lab Technician

TERRENCE MARTIN
Lab Technician and Adult Services.

RHONDA
Russell
Office Manager

ROSIE GRAY
My responsibilities are to make sure the office runs smoothly with everything it needs.

TERRY
Moore
Director of Adult
Services

TERRY MOORE
My responsibilities include facilitation of parenting classes, co-parenting classes, anger management classes, life skills classes and one-on-one sessions.

School Site Coordinators
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Allison Elementary | Cameo Williams | cameo@cffsacramento.org | 916-889-6797
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Castori Elementary | Shinie Vue | shinie@cffsacramento.org | 916- 529-3202
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Madison Elementary | Mae Krause | mae@cffsacramento.org | 916-228-9470
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Oakdale School | Jennifer Gray | jennifer@cffsacramento.org | 916-529-1989
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Smythe Elementary | Daysi Antillo | daysi@cffsacramento.org | 916-533-7901
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Woodridge Elementary | Titino Williams | titino@cffsacramento.org | (916) 529-1321
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Jefferson School ASES/LEAP | Tuhanni Rhoades and Martin Casas | tahunni@cffsacramento.org | martin@cffsacramento.org | (916) 273-2199
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H. Allen Hight Elementary LEAP | Kim Sanchez kim@cffsacramento.org | (916) 273-0662
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Heredia-Arriaga | LEAP Esbeydi Mendoza | esbeydi@cffsacramento.org | (916) 490-7958
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Natomas Middle School | Isaac Glaze isaac@cffsacramento.org | (916) 890-4747
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Harkness | Gisella Huerta | gisella@cffsacramento.org (916) 694-4311
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Oak Ridge | Regina Brown regina@cffsacramento.org | (916) 738-5316