Father's Club - Empowering Dads to be Present and More Involved

​One in four children in America is raised in a fatherless home. Fatherlessness has been linked to numerous social ills afflicting America today. There is a vast body of literature on the implications of missing “father figures” for families and communities. At the forefront of efforts to address the issue is Father’s Club, a Kansans City-based nonprofit organization that inspires dads to be present and play a more active role in their children's upbringing.

Times have changed, and with it the family structure and size. Nevertheless, the presence of a father and his role in guiding his children remains. Today, more than ever, dads are called upon to be more present and more involved in their kids' lives. Yet, more kids are raised in fatherless homes, a phenomenon associated with numerous social ills.

One third of girls from fatherless homes become pregnant as teenagers, according to National Review. On the other hand, boys raised by a single mother are likely to end up in the criminal justice system for gun-carrying, drug-trafficking, and other illegal behavior before they turn 30. There are numerous other vulnerabilities facing children from absent-father households, including teen suicide, homelessness, and abuse, among others.

Those with fathers at home have been found to have better educational and health outcomes, and are less likely to end up in prison. Such findings underscore the importance of present fathers in protecting their children from numerous vulnerabilities.

They also underscore the need for dad-specific initiatives and resources. Fortunately, Father’s Club views present and involved fathers as the remedy for mental health, teen suicide, substance abuse, and technology addiction among youth. The group has built a vast network of dad-led, children-centric, and family-oriented fathers to encourage more fathers to step up and cultivate positive behaviors and character in their children.

Most dads believe that the existing support structures are designed to cater only to the needs and preferences of mothers. Consequently, they feel isolated, pushed out to deal with their problems alone. This may result in withdrawn or absentee fathers, with far-reaching implications for children, families, and communities.

Father’s Club encourages dads to network by participating in various activities, such as community service projects, tailgate events, happy hours, golf tournaments, and school events, among others. The goal is to keep fathers together, providing a support system to share and contribute to the community. The club brings together dads of different talents, influence, experiences, and skills, creating a versatile pool of community actors.

The more they come together and interact based on shared values, the stronger their bonds with their children. By availing themselves and participating in the various activities, dads get to learn how to show up and become involved in their kids’ lives. Dads who consistently show up for the activities, their kids, and the community receive The Shovel Award.

Family structure and dynamics have changed considerably over recent decades. There are stepparents, single parents, or same-sex parents to consider. These modern dynamics, coupled with the fact that children move in and out of them throughout their early childhood years, pose various challenges that need to be addressed to give children a head start and a good foundation. Father's Club is at the forefront of these efforts, empowering dads to step up and lead their families and communities by playing a more active role in their children's lives.