ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Growing up without a father can have a serious impact on a child's future. The National Center for Fathering reports that more than 20 million young people in the U.S. live without their biological fathers. Fatherless homes account for 63% of youth suicides, 90% of homeless children and 85% of young people with behavioral disorders.

In Rochester, one organization is using basketball to provide mentorship and guidance for those without a male role model.

What You Need To Know

  • The Fatherhood Initiative at Rochester Youth for Christ uses basketball to mentor young men growing up without fathers

  • Mentors like coaches and volunteers offer guidance and support, helping participants make better life choices and avoid negative influences

  • Beyond basketball, the program instills faith and leadership

Inside the gym, basketball is just the beginning. Youth for Christ Rochester has been working with young men for decades — but four years ago, it launched the Fatherhood Initiative, aiming to fill a critical gap.

“Started with four conferences where we brought in men to speak about how it’s important to have men in young men’s lives and how every other chronic cultural problem we face in our city has a route of fatherless homes,” said Michael Hennessy, executive director of Youth for Christ Rochester.

Through mentorship, young men are finding the guidance they need, learning discipline, teamwork and accountability both on and off the court.

“We give kids an opportunity to come into a safe place and play basketball. When they’re here, we give them what they need — structure, discipline, loving and caring adults outside of their parents,” said Felix Ortiz, program director at Rochester Youth for Christ.

The initiative provides young men with positive role models who are invested in their success.

“Maybe there’s kids that just don’t have a connection with the father. But I thought I could be that. I’m not trying to take the place of their father. I’m just trying to help them with the tough things in life,” added Joe Schmidt, a mentor.

For many of these young men, the program is more than just a game. It’s a second chance.

“I came here because I was heading down a rough path, making bad decisions. Someone pointed me to Coach Felix,” said Million Schmidt, a player in the program. “Coach Felix taught me that one bad decision on the court can cost you a game, but a bad decision off the court could cost you your life."

For others, the program fills a void they’ve felt for years.

“I grew up without a father. When I came here, there were people who welcomed me, showed me the way to Christ, and gave me the support I needed,” shared Mallachi Davis, another player in the program. “We want to be better than our father. We look up to our father, but when you don’t have one, who do you look up to?”

For many of these young men, basketball is what brought them through the doors, but it’s something much deeper that keeps them coming back.

“Twelve-year-old boy who gets 10 or 12, he’s going to start looking for a man to follow. No matter how great mom or grandma is, he’s going to start looking for a man to follow. If we don’t put a healthy, godly man in his proximity, he is going to find a man on the street corner to follow,” Hennessy said.