The Commonwealth Citizens Council

Welcome

to the Commonwealth Citizens Council Incorporated

The Commonwealth Citizens Council (CCC)

is now a formal Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, as of April 1, 2024, representing a network of Pennsylvania citizens in partnership with their state legislative leaders. On August 7th, 2024, a Board of Directors was installed to manage the corporation’s affairs. On August 27th, 2024, the CCC received notification from the Federal Government that it had been approved as a 501(c)(3) Federal Tax-Exempt Organization.

Message to Pennsylvania State Government Leaders from the CCC Founder and Interim President

Dr. Rufus Sylvester Lynch, ACSW

FATHERIST ®, Forensic Macro Practice NASW Social Work Pioneer & CWLA Senior Fellow

Greetings, my name is Rufus Sylvester Lynch, Founder, and Chair of The Strong Families Commission, Incorporated (THE COMMISSION), and I have been given the privilege of organizing and convening members of the newly formed Commonwealth Citizens Council (CCC).

Under the leadership of THE COMMISSION, the CCC represents a growing statewide network of Pennsylvania Citizens in partnership with their state legislative leaders, keeping track of Pennsylvania’s commitment to ending institutional barriers that may impede fathers in fostering supportive connections with their children; establishing support mechanisms to enhance the ability of fathers to assume a beneficial parenting role; and assisting men to prepare for the legal, financial and emotional responsibilities of fatherhood, and much more.

The Rev. Dr. W. Wilson Goode, Sr., former Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, reminds us “…With the Continued Support from our State Government Leaders, Change Will Come, for our Children, their Families and the Communities in which they live.”

Thus, our vision for the future of Pennsylvania is that all of its citizens can and will benefit from a conscious raising campaign regarding the importance of father involvement in the life of their children. In addition, more citizens of the Commonwealth will come to realize that all fathers, regardless of family heritage, race, ethnicity, income, education, health status, geographic location, and or lifestyle, can in fact, do more to ensure the well-being of their children, families, and communities.

With the support of Pennsylvania’s State Government, Fathers who are fully included and actively participating in the parenting of children of all ages will be the standard and will no longer be seen as an anomaly, as a result, Pennsylvania will become one of America’s most father-friendly states in the union.