Resident Newsletter - Client Success Story
When residents of Fort Worth’s historically African American neighborhood, Como, considered potential candidates for the community’s “Father of the Year” award, they could think of no one more deserving than Romar Lacey. A single father and Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) client, Mr. Lacey has worked hard to provide his only child the best possible life he could.
In the time since he joined the FSS program, Mr. Lacey attended job training, financial literacy classes and took advantage of other resources offered by the program to build a better life for himself and his daughter. His hard work, immeasurable sacrifices and loving spirit are what make him the model father.
Having grown up with a single mother himself, Lacey vowed to be the father he never had to his own child. His journey began on New Year’s Eve 18 years ago when his then girlfriend went into labor. The couple headed to the hospital on the slippery roads, cautious of the dangerous winter storm raging outside —the third of three major winter storms in December that year. Upon arrival, they were notified that the doctor could not overcome the road conditions and would not make it to the hospital in time. Lacey, realizing the weight of the situation, decided to take matters into his own hands. After only two hours of labor, with guidance from the midwife, Romar Lacey delivered his baby girl, Kiara Kunsha Lenette Lacey, on December 31, 2000.
Since she was two weeks old, Lacey has cared for his daughter alone. With the child’s mother absent, he took on that role as much as he could to give her the upbringing she deserves. He read to her every night, bought her educational toys, participated in Mother’s Day lunches at her schools, even went to get facials and pedicures with her. When his daughter began to experience bullying in school because of her mother’s absence, he stepped in and became more involved in her education. He volunteered at the school, liaised between parents and troubled students and was in constant contact with his daughter’s teachers to ensure that he was always aware of how she is doing in class. Oftentimes, he would help with homework or encourage her to utilize tutors available at school, so her grades would always be excellent. Teachers constantly told Mr. Lacey that his daughter was far more advanced than any of the students in her classes. He kept pushing her to do her very best, and it paid off. After 18 years of hard work and encouragement, his little girl is graduating with a 4.2 GPA, has been accepted into four colleges and aspires to be a nurse. He could not be prouder.
Not only is Romar Lacey an outstanding father, but he is also a well-known and respected member of the Como community. Around his neighborhood, he takes out the trash and mows the lawns of seniors who are not able. Additionally, he works at the Community Center, coaches youth sports and occasionally cooks food for his neighbors. He enjoys coaching the youth, keeping them out of trouble and molding them into fine young men. Noticed by his neighbors for his commitment to fatherhood and initiative in the community, he was selected for the “Father of the Year” award. Though honored, Lacey remains humble. He says his example is not something he should be rewarded for, because it is what he is supposed to do. His main objectives are being present in his daughter’s life and ensuring she has everything she needs.
Reflecting on his journey thus far, Romar Lacey says “It wasn’t easy, but nothing worth having will ever be easy.” Every moment that he has had with his daughter has been worth it. He is excited to send Kiara off to college and cannot wait for the moment he will be beaming with pride as she walks across that stage. We wish Mr. Lacey and all great dads just like him a happy Father’s Day!