"My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it,"
-Clarence Budington Kelland
Our Mission
Michigan Ascent is dedicated to strengthening families across Southeast Michigan by helping fathers address and heal the root causes of their challenges at hand.
We know that there is no singular solution for the complexities of being a single parent.
Our approach provides client-focused advocacy and emphasizes the necessary skills to help fathers between the ages of 18-35 to parallel parent effectively,
creating positive outcomes for all parties involved.
We advocate knowing that until we address these root issues in a holistic way, we are missing the mark and failing to truly support women,
children and families our communities.
Our innovative "Michigan Back On Track" (MBOT) program, provides a structured 5-step advocacy process for fathers to focus on the following:
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Systemic navigation- Friend of the Court & Legal Aid Liaison
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One on One Advocacy with a focus on self empowerment
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Skill-building & Continuing Education Support
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Financial stability through financial literacy & Employment
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Health equity through Health system navigation and medical advocacy
The Michigan Ascent Program's goal to engage directly in policy change within the family court systems of Wayne and Washtenaw counties is vital because it directly addresses systemic barriers that often disadvantage fathers,
particularly those from under-resourced communities.
By advocating for reforms, such as those related to the Friend of the Court processes, fair child custody, and support calculations, the program can ensure that the "best interest of the child" standard is applied impartially and holistically,
promoting meaningful father involvement.
Simultaneously, being at the forefront of cultural change helps challenge outdated stereotypes and implicit biases, reinforcing the critical role of fathers in their children's lives and empowering them to be successful, engaged parallel-parents, which ultimately strengthens the well-being of the entire family unit.