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Stepping up to fatherhood

At 24, young dad has dreams for his daughter

John Alvarado with daughter Angelina.

José L. Muñoz

If there is one thing John Alvarado has learned to do, it’s to become a responsible parent.

At age 17, Alvarado learned he would be a father. He enrolled in a city of Phoenix program called STEP-UP for Young Fathers (Skills, Training, Education, Employment Program for Unemployed male Parents), which helps teenage fathers learn to be responsible, become self-sufficient and share the job of support and parenting their children. The course is especially designed for teen dads who are 22 years and younger.

Alvarado, now 21, has been in the program for four years, is going to school and has been working at United Parcel Service (UPS). His little daughter, Angelina, will turn five this summer and is excited about going to school in August.

Needless to say, Alvarado’s outlook on being a father has changed. With the help of program officials and support groups, he has managed to make the difficult transition from being a teenager to being an adult.

He says he has relied on his caseworkers, especially, to give him advice, step by step.

“Being able to talk to a counselor and to set goals and figure out how to get to those goals” has been of paramount importance, Alvarado says. That includes getting an education for himself, laying the groundwork for his future as well as his daughter’s.

He first earned a GED, and then enrolled at a Glendale Community College. He works early in the mornings and attends class in the afternoons. Alvarado’s hard work is paying off, as he’s just been promoted to driving for the company.

Is he proud of reaching these goals? “A little bit!” he says.

For young dads just entering the STEP-UP course, Alvarado provides an example of success. “I think I’m one of the people that have been there the longest,” he admits.

He sometimes finds himself sharing his experiences with new dads in the program, cautioning them “that it’s not as easy as they might think it is. There’s a process they have to go through to mature.”

He has a long-term vision of caring for daughter Angelina, providing for her as best he can and encouraging her to pursuit her dreams.

“I’m going to try to make it as good for her as possible, so she’d want to stay home instead taking off when she’s 18,” Alvarado adds, laughing.