Milwaukee Fatherhood Collaborative

Wisconsin Fathers for Children and Families

The Media package can be view and printed here.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin March 21st, 2006

Milwaukee Fatherhood Collaborative “Runs” Walk For Children in Wisconsin

Commencing June 19^th, 2006, Peter Kerr will be walking from one end of Wisconsin to the other to raise awareness for the plight of Fatherless ness that is affecting too many Wisconsin Children.

The track will commence on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi opposite Dubuque and continue through Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay and conclude at Superior on September 1^st, 2006.

Local groups are welcome to participate in the expedition by either joining the walk for a healthy stroll through the neighborhood or a financial contribution to a local charity or State wide Wisconsin charity that supports Fatherhood initiatives.

The Milwaukee Fatherhood Collaborative, a blue ribbon organization that supports Fatherhood initiatives, will be the primary organization that will coordinate all logistics involved with this fund raising charitable expedition.

For more details, Contact Peter Kerr, Communications Secretary, Milwaukee Fatherhood Collaborative at (877) 505-0323 or email at pete@walkforchildren.org

Madison, Wisconsin March 31st, 2006

Wisconsin Fathers for Children and Families signs on to Walk For Children in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Fathers for Children and Families, a blue ribbon 501(c)(3) Statewide organization, has joined forces with the Milwaukee Fatherhood Collaborative to support the Walk For Children expedition.

Walk For Children - www.walkforchildren.org - is an 800+ mile walk across Wisconsin in support of children having Fathers in their lives.

President, Steve Blake states, “We are acutely aware of the problems that not having an actively involved father in the lives of children causes. This walk will bring the issue of children growing up without Dad in their lives out in the open and will hopefully bring about a debate and discussion of this devastating problem.”

Secretary Tom Pfeiffer also comments that, ”it’s about time someone took this devastating issue to a grassroots level. Taxpayers are sick and tired of paying for the troubles in society ranging from juvenile delinquency, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, poor performance in school and suicide, all exasperated because Father’s are removed from their children’s lives.”

Blake adds, "Wisconsin Fathers for Children and Families commends Peter for taking this step (millions of steps actually) and we will provide as much help and support as we can in this important venture."

For more details, Contact Peter Kerr, Communications Secretary, Milwaukee Fatherhood Collaborative at (877) 505-0323 or email at pete@walkforchildren.org

Milwaukee, Wisconsin June 1st, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – CONTACT PETER KERR (877) 505-0323

Australian man to walk 800 miles for children this summer

If anyone thinks that 800 miles is a long way to come, don’t tell that to Peter Kerr.  He has come a lot further than that, about 12,000 miles further, as a matter of fact.  Hailing from Melbourne, Australia he came across the ocean to be a Dad.  Now he’s walking 800 miles across Wisconsin to raise awareness for Fatherhood initiatives. 

“There are lots of reasons kids grow up without Dads”, says Kerr, “a failed court system should not be one of them”, he adds.

What Peter Kerr is referring to is the Wisconsin Family Court System which he believes discriminates against Fathers and discourages men who wish to share equally in the raising of their kids from doing so.

“We know that growing up without a Father can be tough, so why should men need to battle the state of Wisconsin just to be a Dad?  It doesn’t make any sense”. Kerr said.  “We have the statistics, the numbers are in and kids with Dads are safer, more successful and significantly less likely to engage in a host of destructive behaviors.  Somebody should tell the courts, somebody should tell Senator Roessler, Dads are parents too.”  Kids with fathers

Peter Kerr hopes that people will see him walking this summer and decide to join him “if only for a mile or two”.  For more information go to,  www.walkforchildren.org.  Peter will be looking for you.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin June 6th, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – CONTACT PETER KERR (877) 505-0323

WALK FOR CHILDREN GAINING SUPPORT

Slinger, WI- From Como, Italy - to London, England - to Melbourne, Australia; Peter Kerr’s 800 mile Walk For Children is gaining international attention. 

“Fatherhood knows no borders or boundaries, dads across the globe are becoming more aware of their roles as fathers and that’s a good thing.” Says Peter Kerr, “the world will be a better place for all of us”. 

The 800 mile walk will kick off June 19^th and the first day will end in Platteville. The walk is designed to increase awareness of fatherhood initiatives and to garner support for fathers who have been shunned by a court system that is slanted against fathers.

“I imagine a world where if a man is taking his role as father seriously and is involved with his children, the courts would promote such an involvement by recognizing him as a equal under the eyes of the law.” Kerr noted. “Fatherhood has come a long way since the 1940’s; it’s time for the courts to catch up”. Kerr added.

For more information, please refer to www.walkforchildren.org and bring the political borders down.  Support fathers in children's lives.

Madison, Wisconsin June 19th, 2006

Wisconsin Fathers for Children and Families: Member Peter Kerr Begins his Walk for Children
6/19/2006

Contact:
Steve Blake
608-584-6508

MADISON- Wisconsin Fathers for Children and Families member Peter Kerr has begun an 800 mile walk across the state to dramatize the plight of fatherless children and the failure of Wisconsin Family Courts to adequately protect both parents' rights to their children.

Peter is a divorced dad from Australia who was forced to move to Wisconsin to be near to his 5 year old daughter. He will be starting at Lock and Dam #11 and finish today's leg of the journey in Platteville.

Wisconsin Fathers for Children and Families is supporting Peter in his efforts and Micheal Landwehr, a director of WFCF, will be walking with him today. Landwehr said, "If Peter didn't think his daughter was worth the effort he wouldn't be undertaking this 800 mile walk. I have come along to demonstrate that dads everywhere really do love their children and are willing to go the extra mile to be a part of their lives. Family Court decisions are a big part of the reason there are so many fatherless children in Wisconsin. I'm hoping family court judges will get the message and start treating fathers equally."

Milwaukee, Wisconsin June 29th, 2006

Walk for Children: Event Gaining Speed in Wisconsin
6/29/2006

CONTACT PETER KERR (877) 505-0323

Grafton – On Monday June 19, 2006, Peter Kerr began his 800 mile walk through Wisconsin to raise awareness for children without fathers. “Every kid deserves a dad” says Peter Kerr. “I’m just trying to remind people of that”. He added.

“So far the response has been better than I could have hoped for; the people of Wisconsin are fantastic”, said Kerr.

Peter Kerr and his “walk for children“ has received a great deal of attention from the local media and several radio stations have interviewed Peter as he walks through Wisconsin.

“We’ve been covered by all the local newsprint as we walk through these towns and cities and received front page coverage in Monroe, I’m overwhelmed by the success of the walk so far”, says Kerr. “The walk is gaining speed and I expect to be in full gallop soon”. Kerr noted.

For more information on Peter Kerr and his walk through Wisconsin, visit http://www.walkforchildren.org

Milwaukee, Wisconsin July 13th, 2006

Walk for Children: "Big Red Bus" Coming to the Capitol
7/13/2006

CONTACT PETER KERR (877) 505-0323

Grafton- Peter Kerr is walking through Wisconsin to raise awareness for kids without dads. Over the course of the summer he will cover 800 miles. Friday July 14th he will be walking through Madison, ending at the Capitol about 1pm.

“I’ve got a lot of people behind me and a big red bus in front”, says Kerr. “At the end of a full day of walking it is really nice to see that big red bus”, Kerr noted.

The big red bus Peter Kerr refers to is a converted school bus, painted red and used as Walk for Children’s support vehicle.

“A lot of people wonder how difficult it is to walk 800 mile in one summer. I tell them that it’s easier than a kid trying to grow up without a father. I chose to do this, the kids don’t have a choice” Kerr said. “I just want people to realize that”, Kerr added.

For more information on Peter Kerr and his walk through Wisconsin, visit http://www.walkforchildren.org

Milwaukee, Wisconsin July 21st, 2006

Walk for Children: Australian Man's "Walk for Children" Hits Halfway Point
7/21/2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – CONTACT PETER KERR (877) 505-0323

Grafton- Peter Kerr is on his third pair of shoes and is halfway through his 800 mile trek through Wisconsin. He is walking to raise awareness for children who grow up without having a father in their lives.

“We have reduced fatherhood to a second class position and we (society) are paying the price” says Kerr. “The prisons are filled, the classrooms are empty and it’s time we connect the dots”. Kerr added. “Fathers need to be involved in the process of raising their children, every kid deserves a dad”.

Kerr has been walking since June 19th, starting from the southwest corner of the state and is now in Waupun. In order to stretch the walk to 800 miles he has had to transverse the state in a zig zag fashion. “I’ve been through Milwaukee and back to Madison, now I’m heading to Fond du Lac, Green Bay and I will finish in Superior on August 31st. I have been received very well by everyone, people understand what am doing here”, Said Kerr.

The second half of the walk starts off through Fond du Lac and Oshkosh ending the first week in Freedom, just outside Green Bay. “It is interesting that the second half of the walk starts in Senator Carol Roesslor’s district”, says Kerr, “she needs some convincing because in the past she has not supported legislation to help men who want to be more involved in their children”. Kerr added. “Perhaps we can enlighten her next week."

Peter Kerr would like to invite anyone who sees him on the trail to stop and say hello. For more information log on to www.walkforchildren.org. Peter will be looking for you.

Shawano, Wisconsin August 10th, 2006

Walk for Children: English Father Joins Peter Kerr's Walk for Children
8/10/2006

CONTACT PETER KERR (877) 505-0323

Shawano – To raise awareness for fatherless children, Peter Kerr is walking across the State of Wisconsin. He’s from Melbourne, Australia and he’s here in Wisconsin to be a father to his child. “The walk had an international flavor from the start. I’ve gotten support from as far away as Italy.” Kerr stated. “I’m delighted that Roger has joined me this week.” Kerr added

Roger Beers is also a long way from home. Hailing from Brixham, England he also is trying to be involved in his child’s life as much as possible. “Fathers are so important in the lives of children, anyone who is willing and able to be a good dad should have the opportunity.” Beers said. “800 miles is a long walk, but a life without a father is a bit longer.” Beers added.

For more information on how to join Peter this summer go to, www.walkforchildren.org. Peter will be looking for you.

Superior, Wisconsin August 31st, 2006

Walk for Children: Australian Man's 800 Mile “Walk For Children” Will end Today in Superior, Wisconsin
8/10/2006

CONTACT PETER KERR (877) 505-0323

Superior – If anyone thinks that 800 miles is a long way to come, don’t tell that to Peter Kerr.  He has come a lot further than that, about 12,000 miles further, as a matter of fact.  Hailing from Melbourne, Australia he came across the ocean to be a Dad.  Now he’s walking 800 miles across Wisconsin to raise awareness for Fatherhood initiatives. 

There are lots of reasons kids grow up without Dads”, says Kerr, “a failed court system should not be one of them.  Now that I have walked across the great state of Wisconsin, I can tell you without a doubt that many fathers are finding themselves visitors in their children’s lives and they wish to be more than that.” Kerr said.

What Peter Kerr is referring to is the Wisconsin Family Court System which he believes discriminates against Fathers, and discourages men who wish to share equally in the raising of their kids, from doing so.

From Platteville to Milwaukee, Madison to Green Bay and Medford to Superior, I have talked with fathers who are all experiencing the same treatment in family court.  For absolutely no reason whatsoever they are treated like second class parents, when in fact in today’s climate, some of these dads have been the primary caregiver before the family court decided differently.”  Kerr stated.  “The evidence is clear, Wisconsin fathers want to be involved in their children’s lives.” Kerr added.

“We know that growing up without a Father can be tough, so why should men need to battle the state of Wisconsin just to be a Dad?  It doesn’t make any sense”. Kerr said.  “We have the statistics, the numbers are in and kids with Dads are safer, more successful and significantly less likely to engage in a host of destructive behaviors.  It’s time that the courts in Wisconsin understand that dads are parents too.”

For more information go to,  www.walkforchildren.org.