Anthony P.
The turning point for Anthony P. wasn’t just a new job or a change of scenery; it was a profound confrontation with his own internal chaos.
Father to ten children, his past was a relentless cycle of gang life, drugs, and incarceration. But after a recent brief stint in jail, Anthony was battling something darker: a debilitating depression.
“I had no motivation, didn’t want to interact with my children, I was filled with anger,” he recounted. This rage and despair, fueled by his past and the pressures of life, threatened to permanently sever his connection to his kids, the very people he credited with saving his life.
The Therapeutic Lifeline
Anthony’s uncle, an alumnus of Fathers & Families Support Center (FFSC), steered him toward the organization’s transformative programs. Anthony enrolled in the six-week Family Formation program in North County, and it became his emotional and mental lifeline.
The FFSC environment itself was therapeutic. Being surrounded by men with similar histories provided a sense of belonging that his life had lacked. “Being around men with life experience who can relate with my own experiences made me feel comfortable and willing to listen,” he said. This comfort was the foundation for the deep emotional work that followed.
The program offered him profound mental and emotional insights. The biggest breakthrough involved communication. FFSC taught him how not to be combative and, critically, how to communicate with his children. He learned to move past immediate, harsh discipline and instead value their voices, replacing anger with understanding.
It was during this time that Anthony learned the crucial lesson of self-responsibility. He reflected on the change, stating, “The program taught me how to take accountability for my own emotions and actions, instead of always blaming outside circumstances for my problems.” This shift from victim to agent marked the true beginning of his healing.
Stability and Support
A key pillar in Anthony’s mental health journey was FFSC Therapist Dr. Eddie McCaskill. “He was really there for me and understood my challenges,” Anthony explained. This dedicated, professional support helped Anthony process his decades of trauma and anger, providing the stability required for him to rebuild his life.
In addition to emotional counseling, the program equipped him with practical tools like financial literacy, helping him establish the stability necessary to maintain his mental well-being and provide for his family.
The mental and emotional healing culminated in opportunity. Through FFSC’s on-site Job Fairs, Anthony secured a full-time position as a Leasing Agent and Receptionist at McCormack Baron. He celebrates his first anniversary in the role this May, a powerful symbol of his stability.
The Present Father
Today, Anthony is the father he always wanted to be. He shares his home with three of his children, making cherished memories through darts, park visits, and meals out. He actively maintains open communication with the mothers of his other children, ensuring consistent visits and a unified approach to their upbringing.
Anthony P.’s story is a testament to how addressing deep-seated mental health needs, fueled by expert therapeutic support and community understanding, can empower a father to overcome adversity and redefine his role, proving that genuine change begins within. “If you went through this program and didn’t learn anything, you are lying to yourself about who you truly are,” he concludes. He is no longer defined by rage, but by his role as a loving, committed father.
