The Allentown Rescue Mission will host its third annual “Date with Dad” cookout
on June 21, 2026, for men residing at the Mission and their families. Men experiencing homelessness
are often separated from their families and overlooked as fathers. The Mission’s annual Father’s Day
picnic aims to foster reconciliation between its guests and their children.
Felix, a current guest at the Allentown Rescue Mission and employee of the Clean Team Workforce, has
been preparing himself for the day he can reunite with his son. Felix came to the Allentown Rescue
Mission seeking a positive environment after personal struggles with addiction and incarceration.
Today, he is firmly rooted in his Christian faith and is determined to change his life for the better. “My
goal is to be with my son again. I’ve taken online parenting and GED classes and have been working on
myself so I can be a good dad. My son is my motivation,” Felix explained.
According to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, one in four American children lives in a fatherless
household. This living arrangement often brings severe social consequences and trauma for children
separated from their parents.
Serving nearly 1,000 men each year, the Allentown Rescue Mission works to rescue, rehabilitate, and
restore dads, like Felix, to their families every day. The Mission’s Transformation Program, an eightweek Christ-centered program, explores topics such as fatherhood responsibilities and second chances
with family. The staff emphasizes the importance of family relationships and the positive impact of
having a father present in the home, intending to build stronger dads, families, and communities.