by John M. Farace
Founder/President/Chairman of In A Child's Life.org

I first heard of Dads Club recently named In A Child's Life.org when the principal of the school, where my children were attending, sent a flyer out to all the dads. To my knowledge, the concept of the dads club was initiated by another principal who had started it a few years earlier in a neighboring school in Corona, CA. I responded to the flyer as did several dads and we gathered one evening after school. The principal explained what the dads club was and asked if the dads would be interested in starting a dads club at his school. After a discussion amongst the dads the decision was made in favor, a vote was taken and a board was formed. I was initially voted in as vice president but within a few weeks the president had to step down and I became the president. After serving two years as the president of Dads Club at that school I witnessed the greater interaction between fathers and their children. I also experienced an increase of respect for the teachers and administration, in many cases grades increased resulting in a happier healthier child, and in most cases a better family life all around.

All was going well except for one problem. In order to run some of our programs and events we were asking for the families to pay small fees in order to cover the costs of the event. This additional cost was an obvious hardship on many of the families who were having a difficult enough time trying to be available. So I began to go to the business community to seek donations so that money would never be an issue for families to participate in this beneficial program.

After much hard work and personal education I got the answer to resolve most of our problem and became the founder and president of Dads Club, Inc. We became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and are able to receive funding from any business, including major corporations, private donations and foundational grants and provide our contributors with a legal tax write off. This allows the father and/or family to take part in our events and programs, without burden of additional financial costs. Now, dads can take the additional time to enjoy their children, building and strengthening their relationship and create life long memories at our camp out sleep-over's, father daughter dance, day of the reader and many other fun and educational interactive programs.

In the last 45 years violent crime in America has increased more than 500 percent. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, juveniles make up "the fastest growing segment of the criminal population in the United States." Nationally, more than 70 percent of all juveniles in state reform institutions come from fatherless homes. Around the country you will find many groups that assist these kids in need. However, unlike any other organization we are completely committed and devoted to the core values within our mission statement. It is time that dads "step up and make a difference".

The Dads Club, Inc was created to encourage dads to get more involved in their children's lives starting at the school level. In addition, we help the principal and teachers with many needs within the school and in the classroom. Recognizing that not all kids have a dad in their life we work to help those kids by finding positive male role models and mentors. In this way, we assist the "other dads" (single parent mothers) with the difficulties of raising children on their own. It is our goal to start as many Dads Clubs at the elementary & middle school level starting with the state of California and then nationwide.

I invite you to become familiar with our website and all that we have planned and see what part you play in beginning our programs in your child's school and community. Please feel free to contact me with your questions and, or comments and I look forward to helping you get our programs started at your child’s school and a Youth & Family center started in your area.