Theodore Francis wants to be a good father.

Two years after the birth of his daughter, Francis split up with her mother and moved across the state. During his time away, his daughter, now 3, was placed in foster care because her mother was abusing drugs and alcohol.

Francis, 37, a former drug and alcohol addict himself, said he longed to be with his child and returned to Pittsburgh. He was homeless and stayed in a men's shelter while he worked temporary jobs.

One day, on a visit to the East Liberty branch of the Carnegie Library to read and do some research, he happened upon a newspaper article about a program to help fathers.

Francis contacted the program. Though he felt fortunate to have made the connection, he concluded that more outreach was needed.

"Many fathers are trying to do what's best for their kids," Francis said, "but there has to be better advertisement of the programs out there. As far as women, there are a lot of support organizations and programs, but for men, a lot of us just don't know where to look."

As of today, finding help and support won't have to be as difficult as it was for Francis. A partnership between the National Fatherhood Initiative and the Greater Pittsburgh YMCA will make it easier.

The YMCA Fatherhood Resource Center will open today in a ceremony from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Downtown YMCA, 330 Boulevard of the Allies, in the seventh-floor boardroom. The event is free and open to the public. Mothers and families are also encouraged to attend.

Today's kick-off celebration will serve as an introduction for fathers who want to familiarize themselves with resources available to help them improve their parenting, relationship-building and interpersonal skills.

In addition to the resources at the Downtown Y's center, similar information will be available from kiosks at each of the 13 other YMCAs in Allegheny County. Customized fatherhood programming to fit the needs of the communities also will be offered.

Erik Vecere , executive director of the National Fatherhood Initiative's Northeast Region office in Pittsburgh, said the kiosks will be one-stop shops for fathers and families that will feature brochures, newsletters and father-friendly images.

"We're trying to improve the well-being of the child by helping fathers to become involved, responsible and committed fathers," said Vecere, the father of two.

As for Francis, he said he has been clean and sober since 1997, has a permanent place to live and visits his daughter, who is still in foster care, twice a week.

"I'm not only learning how to be a better father," he said. "I'm learning how to be a better man."