New nonprofit to host parenting retreats in St. Pete

A new nonprofit is bringing immersive weekend parenting retreats to St. Pete.

Patrick Diggs and Jared Ezzard established Empowered Parents to provide psychoeducation workshops and resources that enhance parenting skills, starting with a focus on fatherhood. The initiative seeks to combat the negative effects of a lack of fatherly presence on children’s well-being.

“I started digging into the research a little bit about growing up in a fatherless home, and it makes [people] over twice as likely to use drugs and alcohol, over twice as likely to commit a crime, live in poverty, you name it. It’s actually an astounding statistic,” said Ezzard, a mental health professional with 15 years of experience. “Then the numbers drastically changed just by having a present father.”

“We started Empowered Parents to make a difference in that,” Ezzard added. “If we can change just one family at a time, we can, in turn, have a massive impact on the community and the world.”

The nonprofit’s first major event, a fatherhood retreat, is scheduled for March 1. The retreat is designed as an immersive two-and-a-half-day weekend retreat. The typical retreat size is 15 parents. 

Ezzard and Diggs developed a parenting curriculum informed by their extensive experience working with families and individuals through psychotherapeutic and recreational activities. The curriculum emphasizes practical techniques for building stronger family connections.

The workshops aim to equip parents with tools to foster healthier relationships and address challenges in parenting. Ezzard highlighted the importance of the program’s inclusivity, noting that its strategies are applicable to parents of all ages, including those with adult children. 

“It’s never too late to reconnect with your family,” he said. “Maybe you don’t have any kids yet, but you’re expecting. We are hoping to get a diverse group of dads, because then the new ones can learn from the old ones. There can be some open discussion, brainstorming and learning from other cultures, too.”

“The participants will be provided a curriculum workbook, and we will go through different subjects, such as the ages and stages of development, communication skills, rites of passage, learning how to create memorable moments with your family,” Ezzard explained.

Empowered Parents has already garnered significant support, including a $10,000 capacity-building grant from the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg. The grant has allowed the organization to expand its reach and enhance its offerings. 

“This support has been instrumental in helping us bring our vision to life,” Ezzard said.

The upcoming fatherhood retreat marks the first step in Empowered Parents’ broader mission to strengthen families through education and engagement. Ezzard said plans for growth include future motherhood and family retreats.

Those interested in learning more about the retreats or signing up can visit empowertheparents.org.

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