The Father Center of NJ Announces the 2021 Platinum Dads Nominees

Princeton, NJ—The Father Center of New Jersey, (formerly UIH Family Partners) announces seven remarkable local men to be recognized for their leadership, integrity and steadfastness serving in their communities in the agency’s 16th annual Platinum Dads event to occur the day before Father’s Day on Saturday, June 19, 2021. Keeping the tradition of recognizing unsung heroes, Karen Andrade-Mims and her team at The Father Center want to make sure our community knows the importance of fathers both for families and in our society at large through an annual Platinum Dads Awards event. Karen stated, “Every year we get the distinct honor of illuminating the positive stories about fatherhood and men who are doing remarkable work in our region get the acknowledgement they deserve.”

The following men will be honored at the 2021 Platinum Dads event: Christopher R. Kinkade, Mayor Hemant Marathe, Dr. Jay Edward Purnsley, Kevin Leahy, William (Bill) Davis, Bilal Floyd, and Frank Lucchesi.

Platinum Dads will take place safely and virtually as a web broadcast and will stream live from The Father Center’s new headquarters located at 1 West Street in Trenton on Saturday morning from 10AM to 11AM EST. The agency is in negotiations with a nationally known speaker who will keynote the event and provide an exclusive presentation. More event elements will be announced in the coming weeks as they develop. Sponsorships are available for individuals and companies wanting to support and get exposure through one of New Jersey’s “feel good” events of the year. You may reach out to Karen Andrade-Mims, Executive Director, to request a sponsor packet at kandrade-mims@thefathercenter.org.

Several local businesses have already pledged their support and have invested in ensuring this event is successful. Calvin Thomas of Renewing the Mind, LLC, and LodeStar Consulting, Into Balance Accounting, the Colon Cancer Foundation, Mr. Rich Oring, and Mr. Bryan Evans have all signed on to support Platinum Dads with a financial sponsorship. To date, NJM Insurance Group is the largest supporter for this event, “The Father Center of NJ has a rich history of providing fathers with critical services and resources that empower their lives and help create a path to success for their children and families,” said Mike Van Wagner, NJM vice president, public affairs. “We are honored to support this year’s Platinum Dads Celebration and extend our sincere congratulations to all the dads who will be recognized.”

The Father Center of New Jersey’s name reflects the strength of a continued mission: to support men in gaining the skills and meeting the responsibilities of fatherhood. The agency’s career counseling and workforce development programs create opportunities for fathers to gain skills and show up for their families. The Father Center is the oldest child welfare organization in New Jersey was founded in 1859 as an orphanage for children who were abandoned, neglected and/or abused. Over the years the agency has evolved to meet the needs of the community by fostering family and child-wellbeing, and has transitioned gradually to an award-winning organization serving over 800 men per year.

For more information about this event or to become a sponsor, please contact The Father Center's Executive Director at kandrade-mims@thefathercenter.org.