JOIN US FOR DMAD 1ST ANNUAL GLOW BALL GOLF EVENT IN AUGUST

Dads Make a Difference will host its 1st Annual Glow Ball Golf Fundraising Event on Saturday, August 21, 2010 at Parkview Golf Course in Eagan, MN.  Join us for a golf event with a fun twist!  Event starts at 6:00PM with dinner, silent auction, putting contest and program, and golf starts at 8:00PM.  Sign up for golf in a team of 3 to 5 people, or just sign up and we'll find you a team.  Cost is $50 per golfer, $10 if joining us for dinner only.  Hole sponsorship ($250) and event sponsorship ($500) are available.  CLICK HERE for online golfer registration, non-golfer dinner-only registration, or sponsorship.  Contact the DMAD office for more information about the event or to make a silent auction donation.

THE SPIRITUALITY OF PARENTING

Check out the American Public Media "Speaking of Faith" blog about the spirituality of parenting.  Raising a new human being in this world is a monumental spiritual task, yet we so rarely call it that. This does not become easier when, at some point, our offspring become little theologians and philosophers. They begin to ask huge questions about life and the universe — basic questions about how we got here and where God lives and why people die and why people hurt each other and what it means to be good and to be happy. These questions are the building blocks of religion and ethics. We refine them all of our lives, but at heart they remain the same. What changes is our ability to articulate and act on them.   Read more at: http://blog.speakingoffaith.org/post/732724107/children-help-us-embrace-the-mystery-krista

DMAD HAS RESPECTABLE SHOWING IN MG2010 RazooNIT GIVING CONTEST

Dads Make a Difference participated in the online March Goodness RazooNIT giving competition in March.  DMAD came in 6th place out of 32 nonprofit organizations participating and had 65 donors contributing a total of $1,998.  THANKS to all who donated and shared the contest link with others.  You can still donate to DMAD using the "GiveMN Donate Now" link further down this page.

Focusing on the role of fathers in raising children, Dads Make a Difference educates young men and women about the responsibilities of parenting and the challenges of parenting too soon.  Young people who understand parental responsibility are more likely to form strong families that are emotionally and financially secure.  These families are the backbone of productive, nurturing communities.  DMAD has been doing this important work for 17 years, training nearly 3,000 teen peer educators and teaching over 67,000 middle school-age youth!  We provide financial assistance so youth from all income levels can participate in our training.  THANKS for your support!

DMAD COMPLETES VIDEO PROJECT WITH TWIN CITIES PUBLIC TELEVISION

UPDATE ON REDO OF CURRICULUM VIDEO/DVD.  DMAD entered into a partnership with Twin Cities Public Television in fall of 2008 to co-produce a program for their MN Channel titled Be There: Dads Matter.  The program was completed in August 2009.  You can now view Be There: Dads Matter online at your convenience in the MN Video Vault found at www.mnvideovault.org.  The program was recently submitted for an Emmy nomination.

In addition, tpt has edited the half hour program to a shorter version which replaced our Lesson 1 curriculum DVD beginning with our Fall 2009 teen trainings.  If you are a current DMAD customer and need a replacemnt DVD, they are available for a nominal cost.  Please contact Jan at the DMAD office.  For others interested, the DVD is also available for sale from the Products page of this website.  We're excited by this partnership and collaboration!

BOND BETWEEN FATHER AND CHILD IS SACRED

President Barack Obama shared his White House Father's Day Proclamation 2010, " From the first moments of life, the bond forged between a father and a child is sacred.  Whether patching scraped knees or helping with homework, dads bring joy, instill values, and introduce wonders into the lives of their children.  Read the complete proclamation at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-fathers-day

Obama Father's Day Message 2009 ...  Obama said, "That is why we need fathers to step up, to realize that their job does not end at conception; that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child but the courage to raise one.  As fathers, we need to be involved in our children’s lives not just when it’s convenient or easy, and not just when they’re doing well—but when it’s difficult and thankless, and they’re struggling. That is when they need us most."  Read his complete message at barack-obama-we-need-fathers-to-step-up

2009 White House Father's Day Proclamation, "Fathers must help teach right from wrong and instill in their kids the values that sustain them for a lifetime. As they encounter new and challenging experiences, children need guidance and counsel. Fathers need to talk with their kids to help them through difficult times. Parents must also help their children make the right choices by serving as strong role models. Honest and hard-working fathers are an irreplaceable influence upon their children."  Read the complete proclamation at Presidential-Proclamation-Fathers-Day

DMAD PARTICIPATED IN 2009 "TWICE THE GIFT"

Twice the Gift offered a unique option for holiday gift givers.  Shoppers could buy a meaningful gift, while supporting DADS MAKE A DIFFERENCE and other Twin Cities nonprofits.  Twice the Gift was a unique dowtown Minneapolis shop that showcased the products and services provided by more than 60 Twin Cities nonprofit organizations, including DADS MAKE A DIFFERENCE this past holiday season.

THANKS to all who purchased DMAD logo items or ShareCards at the Twice the Gift store during the 2009 holiday season!  This was the second year DMAD participated in Twice the Gift.

DMAD CELEBRATES 17-YEARS!!!

DADS MAKE A DIFFERENCE was born from the collaboration of four amazing women in 1993.  We have much to CELEBRATE and be THANKFUL for.  DMAD is grateful for everyone who has supported us over the years! 

If you'd like to make a donation to help DMAD continue our important work, you can click on the GiveMN Donate button further down this page and in other places on the DMAD website.  Two of the major causes of children living in poverty are too-early parenting and absentee fathers.  Research shows that a family headed by a teen mother will likely have reduced educational attainment, reduced income, and increased reliance on public resources.  Research also shows that children with involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior, and avoid high-risk behaviors such as drug use, truancy, and criminal activity compared to children who have uninvolved fathers.  Preparing young people to become caring, competent parents may be the single most effective way to prevent child abuse and other violence, increase mental health, advance school preparedness, and achieve academic success for future generations. DMAD builds the capacity of trained teen peer educators in local communities to focus the attention of youth on the personal, economic, and social impact of the decisions they make before becoming a parent.  DMAD helps youth develop attitudes, behaviors, and skills vital to their social and emotional well-being and provides youth with knowledge and resources necessary for them to thrive and make successful transitions to adulthood and future parenthood.

DMAD JOINS MYSPACE and FACEBOOK

DADS MAKE A DIFFERENCE HAS JOINED THE WORLD OF SOCIAL NETWORKING.   We've recently added Dads Make a Difference MySpace and Facebook pages.  We're pretty much a novice at this social networking thing so our pages are pretty basic right now, but hope to learn more in the coming months.  We are looking to connect with "friends" who are current and former DMAD peer educators, adult advisors, or trainers to hear what's new and how DMAD involvement has impacted your life.  Please check us out and once we have verified your DMAD participation we would love for you to share your stories.  If you're on Facebook, search for Jan Hayne, Dads Make a Difference, and our Dads Make a Difference Trainers and Dads Make a Difference Alumni groups.

DMAD STATUS and LOCATION

DADS MAKE A DIFFERENCE LOCATED IN KELLY INN.   After 13 years as a program of several host organizations, DMAD became an independent 501c3 nonprofit organization in June 2006.  Our address is 161 St. Anthony Avenue, Suite 840, Saint Paul, MN  55103.  Executive Director, Jan Hayne, can be reached by email at jan "at" dadsmakeadifference.org.  PLEASE NOTE: You will need to replace "at" with @.  Due to an incredible increase in SPAM email, I have removed all active email links from the website and references to my email address.  I apologize for the inconvenience.  Phone: 651 222-1622.  Fax: 651-222-7532.

DADS MAKE A DIFFERENCE BOARD - DMAD Board members include: Steve Dorgan (President), Steve Katz (Vice President), Derrick Banks (Treasurer), James Ford (Secretary), Clarence Jones, Wayne Freundschuh, Tamara Mattison, Tom Anderson, Mary Burnison, Jenee Winter, and Delacy Thomas.  Please contact Jan Hayne, DMAD Executive Director, if you are interested in becoming a DMAD Board member.

TAX DEDUCTIBLE ON-LINE DONATIONS are now possible  Click the donate button located in various places on the website to make an immediate contribution.

TRAINING, TEACHING, and CURRICULUM

TRAINING REGISTRATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON-LINE FOR FASTER ACCESS.  You can now print registration forms for upcoming teen trainings directly from the website.  No more waiting for forms to be mailed to you.  This also saves DMAD paper and postage costs (and trees in the environment).  To access registration forms, from the Middle School Curriculum link go to Training-Registration where you will see both the Adult Packet and the Teen Packet.  Print all generic forms using the Printer Icon on the right side of the toolbar directly above each form.  You will also need to print the training specific forms (there are just a few of these) depending on when you plan to attend.  These forms include the site specific dates, times, and emergency phone numbers.  Please call or email Jan Hayne if you have any questions ... and also to let her know of your intent to participate in training and how many youth you will bring.  Thanks!

NOVEMBER 2009 AND MARCH 2010 TEEN PEER EDUCATOR TRAININGS HELD.   The November metro training was held Sunday-Monday, November 15-16, 2009 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Plymouth. We trained 80 teens and 12 adults from 12 schools/agencies.  A March metro training was held Sunday, March 14, 2010 at the DMAD office. We trained 8 teens/2 adults from 1 metro school.  DMAD trained a total of 88 teens and 14 adults for the 2009-10 school year, our LARGEST number trained since becoming an independent nonprofit.  We're very proud of this accomplishment given no additions to staff and relatively flat funding in a tight economy.

UPDATE ON CURRICULUM REVISIONS.  In addition to a new curriculum DVD, DMAD made changes to the curriculum around "healthy relationships."  With funding from Wal-Mart Foundation we added two new activities focusing specifically on healthy relationships and wove the concepts as a thread throughout the curriculum using simple language changes as well as new processing and journal questions, moving the discussion of healthy relationships from friendship, to dating, to parenting.  We piloted both the new DVD and curriculum at the Nov 2009 training in the Twin Cities.  See training page for more details.

DMAD TEEN PEER EDUCATOR TEACHING.   DMAD is looking forward to getting reports about all the DMAD teaching teens are doing in their communities.  If we can be of assistance in any way as teaching opportunities are scheduled, please let us know.  We also like to observe teen peer educator teaching when it fits in our schedule, so please let us know when you get dates scheduled by emailing Jan Hayne.

DONATIONS and FUNDRAISING

MAKE A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION to help Dads Make a Difference continue this important work.  All donations are tax deductible.  Please check out our DONATE link to make a donation that will enable us to reach more youth with our mission: to promote the positve involvement of fathers and to educate youth about responsible parenting.  THANK YOU for your support of Dads Make a Difference.

DO YOU HAVE IDEAS FOR FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES, especially activities that participating schools and organizations statewide can do right in their own communities to help raise money to support DMAD work?  Please share them with the DMAD Fundraising /Development Committee by emailing Jan Hayne.

NEWSLETTER STORIES

HAVE A STORY TO TELL ABOUT YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH DMAD?  Consider writing an article for an upcoming issue of our Dateline: DMAD newsletter.  Submissions for the newsletter are sent to Jan Hayne.  Electronic submissions are preferred.  Photos are welcome too!  Editor reserves the right to make discretionary edits based on space limitations and relevance to our DMAD audience.

GREAT RESOURCES

NATIONAL MEN'S HEALTH WEEK - The purpose of Men's Health Week, being observed June 14-20, is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. This observance gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury.  National Men's Health Week was signed into law in 1994 by then-President Bill Clinton. Congressman Bill Richardson noted, "Recognizing and preventing men's health problems is not just a man's issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, men's health is truly a family issue."  A list of some Men's Health Week partners and activities is online.  Check out the Men's Health Network calendar for events in your area.

PREPARE TOMORROW'S PARENTS - To learn more about the benefits of Parenting Education for young people, visit www.preparetomorrowsparents.org or call 1-888-PARENTS.  Prepare Tomorrow's Parents Month is from Mother's Day through Father's Day.  This is an important opportunity for all educators and advocates of preparing children and teens for parenting to make a difference. Select your activities and get started by going to www.preparetomorrowsparents.org/ptpmonth.htm

NEED RESOURCES ON FATHERING ISSUES OR FATHER SERVICES IN MN?  Check out our link to the MINNESOTA FATHERS AND FAMILIES NETWORK for some great information including the publication "Do We Count Fathers in Minnesota?".

STATEWIDE FATHERHOOD BLUEPRINT, Fathers to the Forefront: Increasing healthy father involvement with children, families, and communities, is a statewide plan to strengthen Minnesota fathers and families. This 5-year action plan promotes concrete steps for agencies and organizations to increase father-friendly and father-inclusive programs and policies.  Jan Hayne, Dads Make a Difference Executive Director, was one of 65 individuals who supported the development of this action plan.

FEBRUARY IS TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH.  The repercussions of teen dating violence are impossible to ignore—the issue affects not just youth but their families, schools and communities as well.  Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) brings national focus to the issue of teen dating violence, highlights the need to educate our youth about healthy relationships, raises awareness among those who care for them and provides communities with a critical opportunity to work together to prevent this devastating cycle of abuse.  Visit www.teendvmonth.org for more information.

APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH.  For resources and information check out our link to the Prevent Child Abuse MN website .

APRIL IS ALSO SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH.  End Sexual Violence in Minnesota and make prevention the priority.  April brings an annual opportunity to focus awareness on sexual violence, the culture that perpetuates this violence, and its prevention. The goal is to not only change the institutional policies and practices that support the behaviors we encounter every day, but also to change the cultural norms so that this type of behavior is not expected, accepted, or tolerated. Check out this link to MNCASA’s website for SAAM events near you. www.mncasa.org 

MAY IS TEEN PREGNANCY AWARENESS MONTH AND MOAPPP CONFERENCE.  OCTOBER IS LET'S TALK MONTH.  For some great resources, statistics, and other information visit the MOAPPP website.

INSTITUTE: Do you now, or have you ever considered providing support and education to young fathers? Register for the pre-conference institute and you will receive information you can use to get started or to expand and sustain a quality program. Hector Sanchez-Flores, Senior Research Associate with the Institute for Health Policy Studies of the University of California San Francisco, and a panel of local experts will offer guidance and practical tips in your work to meet the needs of Minnesota young fathers and their children. Networking Happy Hour with appetizers and cash bar follows. Scholarships available.  Presented by MOAPPP and Minnesota Young Fathers Action Collaborative (MYFAC).

CONFERENCE: The MOAPPP 19th annual conference is May 6-7, 2010.  This year’s lineup of speakers, presentations, exhibits, networking opportunities, entertainment and more is especially impressive.  MOAPPP’s annual conference is Minnesota’s most comprehensive training event covering current research, educational resources, policy initiatives and emerging issues related to adolescent sexual health, pregnancy prevention and support for adolescent parents. It provides participants with accurate, up-to-the-minute information and skill-building workshops as well as inspiration and motivation.  Register today and tell your friends to register too!

OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH.  For resources and information check out our links to MN Coalition for Battered Women and National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

JOURNEYMAN is a great documentary about men mentoring boys and the pain boys feel growing up without fathers.  Kevin Obsatz, co-director of the film was a DMAD participant when he was in high school.  Charlie Borden was also co-director and producer of the film.  For more information about this documentary, see the September 2008 DMAD newsletter or go to www.mirrormanfilms.org.