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I l l I n o I s Fat h e r h o o d I n I t I at I v e t W e n t Y Y e a r a n n I v e r s a r Y r e p o r t

Illinois Fatherhood Initiative is Dedicated to Donna and all the Children of Illinois

MissionConnecting Children

And Fathers By Actively

Engaging Fathers In The

Education Of Children.

Donna, 11th Grade

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Illinois Fatherhood Initiative At A Glance 1997 -2017For most of the past 20 years, Illinois Fatherhood Initiative, the country’s first state-wide non-profit fatherhood organization has been an all-volunteer organization. Harnessing the energy and dedication of volunteers has allowed IFI to sustain itself while other non-profit organizations have come and gone. Here is a brief overview of the level of engagement since 1997:

Volunteer Readers ........................................... 14,250

Educators ....................................................... 20,750

Total Volunteer Hours .................................... 119,700

Student Essayists ......................................... 415,000

Faces of Fatherhood Calendars .................... 600,000

I Want My Child To Succeed brochures ..... 1,300,000

Funds Raised ........................................... $4,290,000

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Illinois Fatherhood Initiative was established in February 1997 to address the increasing problem of father absence in society. Research indicates that some 24,000,000 children - 1.1 million in Illinois alone - are growing up in homes without their fathers. Not surprisingly, children from father-less homes are 4 times more likely to grow up in poverty, nine times more likely to drop out of high school and many times more likely commit suicide, run away, have behavioral disorders, abuse drugs and alcohol, commit crimes and end up in prison.

IFI is the country’s first state-wide non-profit fatherhood organization whose mission is connecting children and fathers by actively engaging fathers in the education of children. IFI was founded with the belief that every child deserves to grow up in a home with a loving, caring and involved father or father-figure. We do this by emphasizing the positive role men play in the lives of their children and youth in the community.

Through strategic alliances with private, non-profit, and governmental organizations IFI helps create and strengthen existing child/father programs by harnessing and unleashing the energy of a diverse group of volunteers (women and men, young and old, and those with and without means) to position Illinois as one of the country’s leading advocates of responsible fathering. IFI has raised more than $4 million to implement programs in schools, hospitals and workplaces across the state and to produce materials that help strengthen child father relationships.

When a child fails, we all pay the price. No one has a lot of free time, but we all make time for what’s important in our lives. Special thanks go out to current IFI board president Kevin Masukevich and to the countless other volunteers, foundations, and corporate/organizational partners who have helped support IFI over its first twenty years.

Thank you for doing your part by being present and involved in the lives of your children/grandchildren as well as mentoring today’s youth who do not have the benefit of growing up with both of their parents.

~ David Hirsch

President’s MessageThis year Illinois Fatherhood Initiative celebrates twenty years of working to “connect children and fathers.” I am pleased to report that, through the dedicated efforts of many volunteers, our board of directors, and our board of advisors, IFI has accomplished much in the five years since we published our Fifteen Year Anniversary Report and this all-volunteer organization is well-positioned to continue our work for the next five years and beyond.

More recently, IFI has narrowed its mission to actively engage fathers in the education of children. IFI’s signature program is the IFI/Chicago White Sox Fatherhood Essay Contest. Students in K through 12th grade write essays to the theme: “What My Father Means to Me,” More than 400,000 Illinois children have submitted essays about their father’s or father-figure’s impact on their lives. Another school-based program is Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students). This program provides dads the opportunity to volunteer in their child’s school and make lasting connec-tions with their children while also providing valuable volunteer support to our schools on a daily basis.

IFI’s short and long term goals include exploring and potentially establishing strategic partnerships with other nonprofit, community, and parent organizations in Illinois, continuing to attract talented men and women for our volunteer boards who represent the diversity of our state, and to bring into the organization staff who can provide effective operational leadership in the years to come.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to review our Twenty Year Anniversary Report to learn more about IFI, our mission, and our programs and services. You can also visit our website, www.4fathers.org for additional information on current and future endeavors. As we move forward in the next five years, IFI will continue to rely on the support of committed individuals and organizations who share our mission to “connect children and fathers by actively engaging fathers in the education of children.” I invite you to consider the opportunities available to you to support this work with your time, your talent, and your treasure.

~ Kevin Masukevich

Founder’s Message

I l l I n o I s Fat h e r h o o d I n I t I at I v e t W e n t Y Y e a r a n n I v e r s a r Y r e p o r t

Greater Father Involvement = Greater Student Achievement

One of the most fundamental aspects of raising children is ensuring they get a proper education. Research indicates when fathers take an active role in the educational lives of their children, the children do better academically. From its founding, IFI has focused a disproportionate amount of its resources in the area of connecting children and fathers within the area of education.

Father-of-the-Year Essay ContestIFI’s flagship program is the annual father-of-the-year essay contest conducted in partnership with the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Public Schools, Illinois State Board of Education, and Office of Catholic Education.

More than 415,000 Kindergarten through12th grade students from public and private schools across Illinois have participated in the father-of-the-year essay contest.

Students submit essays to the theme “What My Father Means to Me” and in four categories: fathers, step-fathers, grandfathers, and father-figures. Every student receives a handsome certificate of participation, a coupon sheet full of exclusive discounts to local theme parks, baseball games, soccer games and more.

Each year, 700 to 800 volunteer readers help select twelve essay finalists per grade, grades K - 12. Each of these 156 essayists, their fathers, and families are invited to a special Faces of Fatherhood Celebration in conjunction with the Chicago White Sox. Prior to Father’s Day, twelve dads (3 fathers, 3 stepfathers, 3 grandfathers, and 3 father-figures) are recognized at the annual IFI Fatherhood Dinner Celebration.

Boot Camp for New DadsWith the focus of stemming the number of children being born into father absent homes, IFI has advocated for the nationally recognized Boot Camp for New Dads program, which brings recent first time dads together with soon-to-be first time dads to help them transition from being men to fathers. The half day program addresses issues such as; how to hold a baby, how to feed a baby, how to change diapers, and understanding some of

the changes taking place in the relationship with the mother of the child.

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Watch D.O.G.S.® (Dads of Great Students) WATCH D.O.G.S.® is the school based father involvement initiative of the National Center for Fathering which focuses on the prevention of violence in schools by asking fathers and father figures to volunteer one day at school to greet students, help in classrooms, serve as a visible presence throughout the school, and to be a male role model in the school environment. Watch DOGS Illinois is overseen by the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative

(IFI) and together their goal is to help every Illinois school be positively influenced by the committed involvement of fathers and father figures in lives of their children and students.

Partnership for Family Involvement Education (PFIE) - IllinoisIllinois Fatherhood Initiative played a lead role in creating the Partnership for Family Involvement Education (PFIE) - Illinois. This group with representatives from more than 50 organizations was responsible for creating the “I Want My Child To Succeed in School! A Resource Guide for Parents.” The guide made its debut in the fall of 2001. This 20 page guide was the first of its type in the country, and was produced in conjunction with Future for Kids, Illinois Family Education Center, and Illinois State Board of Education. Over 1.3 million copies of the guide, including 150,000 in Spanish, were distributed and made available to parents and schools.

Donuts With DadIn partnership with Dunkin’ Donuts and Illinois PTA, IFI helped promote 300 “Donuts with Dads” events. This program was particularly popular with Kindergarten through third grade classes.

Fathering ConferencesIFI has formally conducted training programs and conferences. IFI also partnered with National Center for Fathering with support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to conduct a Train-the-Trainer Program. The two-day programs attracted men from across Illinois, and from Chicago to East St. Louis. In addition IFI conducted full-day “Fathers as Educator: Educating Fathers” conferences, and has participated in or co-sponsored many other programs across Illinois and beyond including the Cook County Sheriff’s Boot Camp, Family Support America, and Improving America’s Schools to name a few.

First Day School Holiday >> Million Father MarchStarting in 2000, IFI partnered with First Day School Foundation, a Bennington, Vermont non-profit organization, to promote the first day of school as a holiday and encourage employers to allow parents to visit their child’s school. Doing so helps make valuable connections at the very beginning of the school year and is a demonstration on the parents’ and community’s behalf that education is a priority. In 2000 the effort was known as Mayor Daley’s Chicago Goes Back to School. An estimated 275,000 parents accompanied their children to school on the first day of class. In 2001, this effort was known as Illinois Goes Back to School. Today one of IFI’s partners, the BlackStar Project promotes a similar program known as the Million Father March, now in more than 500 cities across the country.

A brief summary of some of IFI’s current and past programs

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2016 Broomley, Cedric2016 Pemberton, Steve2016 Rodriguez, Matthew2015 Pattrick Fitzgerald2015 Bruce Rauner2014 Davis, Rev. Harold2014 Higginbottom, Elzie2014 Lynch, Alllen2014 Trestman, Marc2013 Kass, John2013 Tillman, Charles2012 Hester, Devin2012 Jones, Earl2012 Norman, Art2011 Dent, Richard2011 Dreesen, Tom2011 Emanuel, Rahm2011 Wood, Kerry2010 Davis, Danny K.2010 Hunter, Tony2010 Quinn, Pat2009 Cochran, Steve2009 Durbin, Richard2009 Jiggetts, Dan2009 McCaskey, Pat2008 Evans, Timothy2008 Wert, Larry2007 Hirsch, David2007 Smith, Bishop Harold2007 Smithe, Walter E.2006 Brown, Max2006 Hayward, Thomas Z.2006 Obama, Barack2006 Schumacher, Tony2005 Gardner, Chris2005 Tomczak, Mike2005 Wamberg, Tom2005 Zorn, Eric2004 Grange, BG David2004 Kaplan, David2004 Vazquez, Ray2003 Blagojevich, Rod2003 Chico, Gery

2003 Rogers Jr., John W.2002 Velazquez, Art2002 Braizer, Bishop Arthur2002 O’Dell, Spike2002 Singletary, Mike2001 Dyson, Marv2001 Stroger John2000 Nieto, Luis 2000 Peters, Howard2000 Walter, Ken2000 Ryan, George2000 Cullers, Vince1999 Adamle, Mike1999 Duerson, Dave 1999 Richardson, Lee1999 Sandfort, Greg1998 Collins, Jimmy 1998 Krashesky, Alan 1998 Vallas, Paul1998 Young, Sheldon1997 Devine, Dick1997 Mullen, Jim1997 Jordan, Robert1997 Zucker, Steve1997 Ramis, Harold1997 Hand, Bert1996 Giangrecco, Mark1996 Silverberg, Gene1996 Barnett, Gary1996 Siskel, Gene1996 O’Malley, Mike1995 Messmer, Wayne1995 Cusack, Richard1995 Matthews, Kevin1995 Jackson, Bo1995 Hynes, Tom1994 Baskerville, Steve1994 Edgar, Jim1994 Sutter, Darryl1994 Gustafson, Don1994 Stern, Lee1993 Campagna, Ralph1993 Flick, Warren

1993 Rodriguez, Matt1993 Butler, Kevin1993 Coppock, Chet1992 Meyer, Joseph1992 Goudie, Chuck1992 Simon, Paul1992 Melman, Richard1992 Jemsek, Joe1991 Sheahan, Michael1991 Saunders, Warner1991 Covert, Jim1991 Vincent, Lucien1991 Fisk, Carlton1990 Jacobson, Walter1990 Ahern, Joseph1990 Burke, Ed1990 Wilson, Doug1990 Dawson, Andre1989 Burris, Roland W.1989 Crowley, Bill1989 Dahl, Steve1989 Ramo, Niel1989 McMahon, Jim1988 Kalber, Floyd1988 Willams, Billy1988 Johnson, Henry1988 Collins, Doug1988 Vrdolyak, Ed1988 Jordan, James1987 Ditka, Mike1987 Whitney, William1987 Dixon, Alan1987 Moore, Moses1987 Wiegel, Tim1986 Hartigan, Neil1986 Hull, Bobby1986 Maggio, Michael1986 Banks, Larry1986 Payton, Walter1985 Page, Robert1985 Rice, Fred1985 Lake, Charles W.1985 Schickel, Robert

1984 Smyth, Father John1984 White, Jesse1984 Gore, Jerome1984 Holsinger, Wayne1984 White, Mike1984 Evans, Charles “Chick”1983 Drury, John1983 Charles Doc Glass1983 Finks, Jim1983 Mikita, Stan1983 LeFevour, Richard1983 Karol, Sam1983 Brzeczek, Richard1983 Stevenson, Adlai1982 Faust, Jerry1982 Clements, George1982 Brennen, Ed1982 Flynn, Fahey1981 Thompson, Jim1981 Wetland, Otto1981 Gray, John1981 Magnuson, Keith1980 Daley, Richard1980 Paul Harvey1980 Baum, Edward1980 Boerwinkle, Tom1980 Kerr, Johnny1979 Meyer, Ray1979 Berg, Bill1979 Crane, Phillip1979 Kurtis, Bill1978 Kupcinet, Irv1978 Arena, Angelo1978 Nadler, Henry1978 Halas, George1978 Phillips, Wally1977 Hunter, Ron1977 Partee, Cecil1977 O’Connor, James1977 Weiss, Edward1976 Daley, Richard J.

Honoree Fathers 1976 to Present

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IFI Tom Dreesen & Comedians Golf Outing & Dinner Since 2006 Tom Dreesen, one of the country’s patriarchs of stand up comedy (raised in Harvey, IL), has headlined IFI’s annual golf outing, which has shifted from a “celebrity” to “comedians” event. Each foursome is assigned a comedian as a fifth golfer and then after dinner the comedians all stand up and compete to see who can tell the best joke. It’s always a FUNny and memorable event.

Dads Honor Ride IFI has been one of the primary beneficiaries of Honor Ride 2015 and DHR 2016. These cross country endurance bicycle rides have raised valuable awareness and funding for a wide range of fatherhood organiza-tions, including IFI.

TEDx Talk On October 1, 2015, IFI founder David Hirsch made a TEDx presentation entitled Why We Need To Break The Cycle Of Father Absence. It can be viewed on YouTube at: http://bit.ly/2k1ar4E.

Annual Fatherhood Dinner Celebration One of IFI’s most popular events is the annual Fatherhood Dinner Celebration held each June at the Union League Club of Chicago. In addition to recognizing 12 essays dads each year, IFI also recognizes a few prominent dads from: business, government, sports and entertainment. Here is a list of all past honoree dads (note prior to 1998 these fathers were recognized at a lunch put on by the Chicago Father’s Day Council, who passed the baton to IFI when it went out of existence):

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During the past twenty years, Illinois Fatherhood Initiative has established and been the recipient of a host of awards and recognition programs.

TEAMDAD AwardsCreated in 1998, IFI has recognized community leaders for their assistance in advancing IFI’s mission of connecting children and fathers. Mike Singletary was the first person to receive the honor. Since then a short list of prominent individuals have also been recognized.

John Stanford National Education Heroes AwardIn 2000, IFI was recognized as one of ten organizations across the country doing exemplary work to promote education and exceptional contributions to children’s learning. David Hirsch attended a ceremony in Washington, DC to accept the award.

In April, 1999 Illinois Fatherhood Initiative was recognized as Daily Point of Light #1620 by the President’s Points of Light Foundation.

Awards and Recognition

Created in 2000 in response to the hate crime, which took Ricky Byrdsong’s life in July 1999, IFI along with the Ricky Byrdsong Foundation recognizes individuals who are exemplary dads to their own children and to other children in the community. Ricky Byrdsong Award recipients are: Mike Singletary (2000); Bob Muzikowski (2001); Harold Davis (2002); Phillip Jackson (2003); Jonny Zayas (2004); Carlos Burns (2005); Joseph Whittington Jr. (2006): Fernando Carrasco (2007); Bartell Keithley (2009); Tom Dart (2010); Desmond Clark (2011); Walter Jones (2012); and Corey Brooks (2014).

IFI/SEARS Top 100 Schools ProgramFor the first seven years, IFI recognized educators from the top 100 schools across Illinois for their participation in the annual father-of-the-year essay contest. Schools qualify on one of two levels; total essays submitted and percentage of students participating. Each year a handful of schools will have 100% participation. As a thank you for their participation, each of the top 100 schools, during the first seven years, received a color TV and VCR (or DVD player), compliments of Sears.

IFI/Ricky Byrdsong Award

Points of Light Foundation

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“What My Father Means To Me” Essay Booklet IFI created a 16 page, four color booklet, containing 24 of the more than 400,000 essays received as part of its annual father-of-the-year essay contest. The essays are presented in the children’s own handwritten words and are representative of what first through twelfth grade youth have to say about their dads. The booklet also contains artwork from 1st and 2nd graders. The booklet made its debut on the Oprah Winfrey Show where seven of the children read their essays. The second and third editions include a seven part curriculum for dads to read, reflect and resolve to further engage with their child(ren).

IFI, in partnership with Futures for Kids, Illinois Family Education Center, Illinois State Board of Education and with input from dozens of other organizations compiled this 20 page, four color guide. In the fall of 2001, one million copies (including 150,000 in Spanish) of the guide were distributed to parents and educators across Illinois. The guide is an excellent resource for both moms and dads to help their children succeed in school. The guide included an open letter from then Governor and Mrs. George Ryan, sections on “You and Your Child,” “Parents and Their Children’s School,” “You and Other Parents,” “Notes for Fathers,” local and national resources for additional information, a selection of additional readings, and a “School Checklist” Complimentary copies were made available through the Prevention First Library.

IFI Father Friendly ResourcesIllinois Fatherhood Initiative, with the help of other organizations, has created a number of tools to help connect children and fathers. These resources are designed to emphasize the positive role men play in the lives of children.

Other ResourcesThere are numerous IFI videos and a Father Matters CD produced by the U.S. Department of Education. IFI also maintains the www.4fathers.org website.

words & drawings

from illinois children

about their fathers

what my father means to me

IFI Essay Booklet 2012.indd 1 3/6/12 2:36:14 PM

“I Want My Child To Succeed in School!” — A Resource Guide for Parents

Workshop For New DadsWith the focus of stemming the number of children being born into father absent homes, IFI has pursued two initiatives. The first is helping bring the nationally recognized Boot Camp for New Dads program to more communities. Now operating in 15 of the 160 Illinois delivery hospitals and supported by the Illinois Department of Human Services, BCND’s brings recent first time dads together with soon-to-be first time dads to help them transition from being men to fathers. The half day program addresses issues such as; how to hold a baby, how to feed a baby, how to change diapers, and understanding some of the changes taking place in the relationship with the mother of the child.

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Foundations Annie E. Casey Foundation Arie and Ida Crown Memorial Aon FoundationBP Amoco FoundationCarnot and Lucille Allen FoundationChicago Community TrustChildren’s Care FoundationDain Rascher FoundationDower FoundationDuchossois Family FoundationHyman and Susan Feldman FoundationFrontier Partners Foundation Lancaster Family Foundation Leopardo FoundationLouis R. Lurie FoundationJohn D. & Catherine T. MacArthur FoundationMcCall Family FoundationMcCormick Tribune Foundation Merchantz Family Foundation Robert R. McCormick FoundationRoss Family FoundationSamuel L. & Ann L. Solomon TrustStruve Family FoundationUnion League Civic & Arts Foundation W.K. Kellogg FoundationWieland Family FoundationWm. Wrigley Foundation

CorporationsAbbott LaboratoriesABD GroupABN Amro Inc.Admar SupplyAlliance Capital ManagementAllstate Insurance Co.American Century MutualAmerican Custom PublishingAmerican ExpressAmerican National BankAmeritechAon CorporationApollo GroupAriel CapitalArtistic Communications CenterAssurance AgencyAztecs FoodsBank of AmericaBank OneBarrington Ice House MallBaxterBeautiful AquariumsBell, Boyd and Lloyd LLCBillow Butler CompanyBlack Dot GroupBlue Cross Blue Shield-IllinoisBob Chinn’s CrabhouseBolingbrook Golf Club Bonopart CorporationBorders Books & MusicBrandes Investment PartnersBridgestone/Firestone Co.Broad Reach Internet MarketingBVM MarketingCalamos Investment AdvisorsCanterbury ShoppeCapital Concepts, LLCCapri CapitalCBOECME GroupChessies RestaurantChicago BearsChicago BlackhawksChicago BullsChicago Children’s MuseumChicago Cubs

Chicago FireChicago FreezeChicago Indoor RacingChicago Investment GroupChicago Mercantile ExchangeChicago Parent MagazineChicago SkyChicago Sun-TimesChicago TribuneChicago Truck CenterChicago White SoxChicago WolvesCity BeverageCitigroupClark Wamberg LLCCode, Hennessy & Simmons LLCComdiscoCommunity Counseling ServicesCRC InsuranceCraig Capitol InvestmentsCredit SuisseCrowe ChizekDave & BustersDavis Fund AdvisorsDean FoodsDeloitte & ToucheDiversified Behavioral ServicesDS&P InsuranceDunkin DonutsEastman KodakEBY BrownEngineered Parking Solutions, LLCEquity Group InvestorsEsko ProductsEvian WaterFair Oaks FarmsFederated GroupFidelity InvestmentsField Museum of ChicagoFinch & AssociatesFlippin Bruce PorterForest FordFranklin Templeton InvestmentsFroley, Revy and Co.Gallup OrganizationGatoradeGreat West Life and Annuity Co.HALO Harper CollinsHarrah’sHealy CommunicationsHeller FinancialHumphreys Inc.Illinois Harley DavidsonImpact 365 Ironbridge SoftwareIN’s & OUT’sItalian Village Restaurant ITW Filtration ProductsJ. D. Graphic Co. Jeffries & Co.Jewel Food StoreJFK Health WorldJohn Deere & Co.Kane County CougarsKiddieland Amusements ParkKids Comp Photo Studios Knockout GroupKPMG Peat MarwickLaSalle BankThe Laugh FactoryLazard Asset ManagementLeo BurnettLeonard Solomon Wine & LiquorsLeopardo Construction Co.Lettuce Entertain You Life Investors Insurance Co.Loews Cineplex Entertainment

Lurie CompanyM.J. Miller & Co. Jewelers Madison InvestmentsMaggiano’s RestaurantMainstay Financial MAN Roland Inc.Mark ShaleMarquardt Buick GMC Masthead InternationalMcDonald’sMerrill LynchMesirow FinancialMid America Sports MarketingMission PressMotorolaMuseum of Science & IndustryNawara Financial Advisors New York Life Insurance Co. The Northern Trust Co.Northwestern Mutual Life O’Hagen, Smith & Amundsen LLCOpen Road RadioOppenheimer & Co.The Party TrailerPeoria ChiefsPepsi Cola Co.Planet Hollywood Prudential Inc.Radio Flyer Inc.Rainforest CaféRaymond James FinancialReyes HoldingsRich Ruscetti FordRick Wilcox Magic Productions Rockwell AutomationRomanucci & Blandin Roseborough & AssociatesSBC Inc. Schaumburg MotorsportsSearsSeligman Advisors Seyfarth Shaw LLPShefsky and FroelichShef Shaw LLPSir Miles Davis CompanySix Flags Great AmericaSix Flags St. LouisSmith Barney Inc. Spinnaker InvestmentsStaubach CompanySzechwan EastTakeda PharmecueticalTEAMDADTip Top BrandingTorque, Inc.Travel House of BarringtonTrueCareTy, Inc.UBS Financial ServicesUS CellularUnion League Club of ChicagoUniversity of Phoenix Vedder PriceVerizonWaldman AssociatesWGCI AM/FMWGN RadioWGN-TVWilliam M. Mercer & Co.Wilson Sporting GoodsWintrust FinancialWoodstock Harley DavidsonWool Street Grill & BarWVAZ 102.7Zondervan Publishing

Government Agencies & Non-Profit Organizations21st Century Dads Foundation88 Wayz Youth OrganizationBlack Star ProjectBoot Camp for New Dads Boys & Girls Clubs of ChicagoCatholic Charities of ChicagoCEDAChicago Park DistrictChicago Public Schools Chicago School of Professional PsychologyChicago Urban League Community & Economic Development Center Cook County Sheriff’s Boot CampCrossroads Correctional Center DePaul UniversityExecutive Service Corp. Family Support AmericaFirst Day FoundationGovernor’s OfficeGreater DuPage MYMHillenbrand InstituteIllinois Attorneys General OfficeIllinois Department of Human ServicesIllinois Department of Public Aid DCSEIllinois Family Education CenterIllinois Family InstituteIllinois Masonic Medical Center Illinois Principals AssociationIllinois PTAIllinois State Board of EducationIllinois State PoliceIllinois Treasurer’s OfficeLoretto HospitalLt. Governor’s OfficeLutheran Social ServicesMetropolitan Family ServicesMidtown Education FoundationNational Center for FatheringNational Fatherhood InitiativeOffice of Catholic EducationOffice of Family MinistriesOpen BooksPaternal Involvement ProjectPrevention FirstPrison FellowshipProject ImpactRehabilitation Institute of ChicagoSafer FoundationScottish RiteSecretary of State’s Office U.S. Department of EducationU.S. Dept. of Administration for Children and FamiliesU.S. Dept. of Health & Human ServicesUnited Way Crusade of MercyUniversity of IllinoisUnity ChurchVillage of BolingbrookViper Club of Illinois Voice for Illinois ChildrenWatch DOGSYMCA of Metropolitan Chicago

Please accept our apology if your institution’s name was inadvertently omitted from this list.

for their support over the past twenty yearsThank you to the following organizations and individuals

Russell AlbertJoe AlexanderVince AlloccoMatt AndersenKurt AndersonMatthew AndersonLinda Renee BakerScott BaskinJohn BellamyCarl BibbsLester BlairStephan BlandinAndre BoulriceBarbara BowmanCraig Brown George Brown Bliss Browne Craig Burkhardt Bruce Campbell Joe Clark Steve CochranCarlos CortesBill CouItasMark Cribben Guy CumminsLametra CurryKevin Cuthbert

Tony D’AlexanderMerri DeeSid DeLairAndrea DiMarcoMichael DohertyDiana Durham-McLoudJim EdgarPhil FuentesMyrna GalbraithRob GaskillKeith GerthRon GriggsKamal HaddadJames HalleneFrank HanniganKirk HarrisMary HartiganRobert HassinRobert HatcherJohn HealyTom HernandezDonnell HillJuan HinojosaMichael HoadleyRobert HorneRobert HoustonTony Hunter

Jeff HusserlRafi JafriWaldo Johnson Paul JordanWrenetha JulionGeorge KawasakiJames KellyJohn KendallCarla KnorowskiMichael KnowlesGerry KostukMark KramerKurt LaningLeo LatzTony LenhartLou LiayBrian LiedlichValarie LiesCamille Lilly-ThomasJudd LofchieAndy LowenthalJohn MarsJoe MasonDavid McCaskillSister Mary Paul McCaugheyGlenn McGeeJohn McNulty

Brian McPartlin Terence MitchellPatrick MittenDonald MooreDeTrina MooreDavid MyersKaren Newton-MatzaJim PagliaJim PalosVeronica ParrishHoward PetersMark PodolnerDennis QuinnTim RastAisha RayMark RepkinJodi RosenScott RossRalph RussellWayne SalterJay SamuelssonJames SandersAnthony ScalaRichard SchmidtDon SchneiderCharles SchroeckElaine Schuster

Barbara ShurnaKenneth SlepickaThomas SmithFather John SmythRobert Sobiech Joseph SpagnoloLarry StableinMark StadlerJerome StermerDebra Strauss Jay TerryAbe ThompsonPaul VallasGerry WalankaKen WalterJim WardaRobert WhartonJeff WienekeChris WilliamsDiane WilliamsSandra WilliamsRodney WintersDr. Nicholas Wolsonovich Gary WoodDennis Zavac

Past Board Members Volunteers have been the life blood of IFI. More than 100 individuals have served on IFI’s board of directors or board of advisors during the first fifteen years. Each with his or her own time and talents has allowed IFI to advance its mission of connecting children and fathers. We owe a special thanks to each of them for their dedication to the community and the well being of the children of Illinois.

Illinois Fatherhood Initiative1 North Dearborn Street, #100 • Chicago, IL 60602 • 800-996-DADS

2017 Illinois Fatherhood Initiative Volunteer Board

Honorary Chairmen Richard Durbin, Senator U.S. Senate

Rahm Emanuel, Mayor City of Chicago

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich Archdiocese of Chicago

President Kevin Masukevich Masonry Restoration Company

Vice President Dana O’Banion Attorney

Secretary Christina Bate The Northern Trust Treasurer Stan Dembouski Retired

Board of Directors Kenya Brooks Jones Software Corp.

Mark Fabish Broad Reach Internet Marketing

Jeff Kelch The Digital Archive Group

Gerry Kostuk Ameriprise Financial

Randa Kuziez Honey Tree Books

Scot Marcotte Conduent HR Services

John C. Sciaccotta Aronberg Goldgehn Davis & Garmisa

Robert Weil The Advisory One Group

Board of Advisors John Borling SOS America

Ray Brown Black Box Network Services

Sunny Chico SPC Consulting

Marv Dyson Urban Radio Broadcasting LLC

Phillip Jackson BlackStar Project

Lois Rakov Consultant

Richard Reck Business Strategy Consulting, LLC

Jim Rigg Archdiocese Catholic Education

Tony Romanucci Romanucci & Blandin

Alex Roseborough Roseborough & Associates

Wayne Sneed Retired School Principal

Past Presidents David Hirsch 1997-2002

Jim Paglia 2003-2004

Tony Hunter 2005-2006

Ken Slepicka 2007-2008

John Sciaccotta 2009-2010

Kevin Kirberg 2011 – 2013

Al Brown 2014 – 2015

Dernard Newell 2016

Legal Counsel William S. Wigoda Jakubs Wigoda

Founder David A. Hirsch UBS Financial Services