Yesterday evening, the central feeling in everyone’s hearts at our intimate dinner was gratitude. With the Good Dads board of directors at the helm, this spectacular event was the gathering of our dreams!
Around 75 guests joined us at Venue on Brick in Ozark, MO, to learn why responsible, loving, present dads are the “key” to solving many of the social problems leaders been combatting for decades.
Dr. Jennifer L. Baker, founder and director of Good Dads, used a unique story of perseverance from American History to set the backdrop for her analogy that fathers are the key.
As a former history teacher, she’s always been fascinated by the strategic decisions leaders make that can change the course of history, Dr. Baker said during her presentation. A series of decisions came together under the direction of President Abraham Lincoln and leadership of Ulysses S. Grant that helped initiate the beginning of the end of the Civil War. Central to those decisions was a Confederate stronghold: Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Lincoln knew that, for the Union to win, they needed to gain control of this important keep. He famously called Vicksburg the “key.”
“The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket,” Lincoln said at the time.
America continues to fight wars against things like poverty, economic stagnation or poor educational outcomes —and increasingly, we are coming to recognize the role that fathers play in these measures.
When fathers are engaged and equipped to succeed, families are stronger, children are more likely to thrive, and communities are better positioned to prosper.
Indeed, fathers are the key. Just like the pivotal siege in 1863 in Vicksburg, we need to get this key into our pocket.
Many Thanks
First and foremost, thank you to our generous sponsors, who have made obtaining this key possible.
Our mission to help kids and communities one dad at a time cannot be fully realized without the generous contributions of local sponsors. Our community and business partners believe that fathers are important; they refuse to let this valuable part of the family unit go unappreciated. They understand that involved fathers are better for our schools, neighborhoods and economies. They know that fathers make our communities a great place to live.
In a setting where funding from government bodies and grants are precarious, we know we can continue doing this important work of engaging fathers because of our donors!
Who’s to say where we’d be without our brave and ambitious board! Several Good Dads board members worked hard to host yesterday’s spectacular event. Thank you for all that you do in support of the mission:
- Mr. Will Cox
- Mr. Chris Harville
- Mr. Tyler Head
- Ms. Sally Herman
- Mr. Dillon Low
- Ms. Crystal
- Reynolds-Roberts
- Ms. Angela Smith
- Mr. Michael Vaughn
- Mr. Joshua Wemple
- Mr. Matthew Williams
We’re Forging Ahead for Fathers
The humble forge is an apt illustration for fatherhood. A skilled blacksmith, stained with soot and carbon from years mastering his craft, has a dangerous job. Sweating above the furnace, he heats up his materials to just the right temperature, expertly molding the ore between his hammer and his anvil. Sparks fly, and his forge feels alive.
Likewise, a father has the monumental job of molding the future generation. He forges ahead—despite the challenges and hardships he faces—because he cares about his children. He knows just how much he matters to his kids’ wellbeing, and he is willing to put in the work that it takes. Just like blacksmiths, dads are master craftsmen.
That’s why we chose this theme this year. A forge is a place of energy. People talk about “forging” a path when we describe trailblazers who make great discoveries that further humanity. We think the amazing work happening at Good Dads is forging a new path for fathers and families across Missouri.
In this trailblazing spirit, we named our latest program Good Dads FORGE, for the the grant of the same name. The grant, which stands for Family, Opportunity, Resilience, Grit, Engagement, is Good Dads’ primary focus for this year: a perfect analogy for the forward momentum we’re bringing to dads and their loved ones.
