Good Dads, Missouri’s leading father-focused non-profit, named three communities, Ava, Rolla and Texas County, as its Great Communities of the Year this week. The contest, the first of its kind, celebrates the outstanding grassroots developments taking place throughout the state to support responsible fatherhood.
With 14 community chapters launching Good Dads initiatives, plus additional Good Dads operations taking place in at least 20 communities in Missouri, the Great Communities of the Year contest was a way for the Good Dads headquarters to recognize and celebrate the communities that go above and beyond in their fatherhood work.
First Place winners in Ava, MO, win a $10,000 grand prize and a short community promotional video, produced by Good Dads. They also earned a free table of eight at Good Dads’ annual dinner celebration in Springfield, MO, in October. The southwest Missouri town of around 3,000 residents hosts classes for at-risk fathers via the New Pathways for Good Dads Program, and for dads of elementary students with the Good Dads Strong Schools program.
Since the Good Dads Ava chapter establishment in April 2024, “our Good Dads programs have benefited at-risk fathers within the community, allowing them to develop support groups and strengthen their safety networks,” wrote the chapter leaders in their Great Community of the Year contest entry. “As a result, we have seen instances of father-child reunification, with fathers establishing meaningful relationships with their children. Fathers who previously felt resigned to the absence of a relationship with their children now have renewed hope.”
Second-place winners in Rolla, MO, win $5,000 from Good Dads, a short community promotional video produced by Good Dads and four seats at the annual Good Dads celebration.
Third-place winners in Texas County, MO, (including Houston, Cabool and Licking areas)win $2,500 from Good Dads, a short community promotional video produced by Good Dads and four seats at the annual Good Dads celebration.
The contest, part of Good Dads’ 10th anniversary celebrations, was designed to encourage residents to make their case for what makes their community worthy of the title by demonstrating the progress in Good Dads four Great Community pillars: strong schools, robust economies, flourishing relationships and safe neighborhoods.
Contest entries closed May 1, and a team of Good Dad board members selected winners from qualifying entries.
About Good Dads
Founded in 2015, Good Dads is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on inspiring, resourcing and encouraging fathers to be more involved in the lives of their children. Headquartered in Springfield, MO, Good Dads also has regional offices in Kansas City and Columbia. It serves hundreds of fathers a year through a variety of programs, events and resources that empower them to be Good Dads.
Find out more about Good Dads community chapters on the Good Dads website.
