Fathers Forward Preparing to Welcome Kids Back to School

(SALISBURY, Md) – If you live in Wicomico County, there’s a group of special guys who will be waiting to welcome your kids back to school Tuesday.

Fathers Forward is a group of local dads and father figures, who aim to help kids put their best foot forward.

The group works with the Judy Center of Wicomico County, ensuring the students have a positive male role model who is there to cheer them on on the first day of class.

One of the members tells us that they’re able to make a huge impact, with just some small acts of encouragement.

Fathers Forward Member, Walter Summers tells us, “We want to give a positive attitude. Don’t want fathers. So when they see me, I’ve been here for a couple of years now, so when they see me, they light up because this a friendly face. They know they’re going to get a half hour fist bump or a good job. They know that’s a positive interaction. So we’re trying to integrate that one day at a time.”

Fathers Forward is still looking for additional volunteers to sign up before the start of school Tuesday morning.

And while they only started doing this in 2024, they’re hoping they can expand.

“But the first day, the first introduction, some time is the first time. Some, as you know, some repeat times. We’re very excited. We hope that we can go to many more schools in the district,” says Summers.

If you’re interested in signing up to help send a kid off to school with encouragement, Fathers Forward is still looking for volunteers for Tuesday morning at West Salisbury Elementary, Beaver Run Elementary, and Pemberton Elementary schools.