The IFI Ricky Byrdsong Luncheon will be held at Union League Club on Nov. 12, 2019 at 11:30am.

The event includes lunch, drinks, and honoring the recipients of the Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Award.

The Illinois Fatherhood Initiative created the award in 1999 in response to a hate crime that took the life of Ricky Byrdsong. Byrdsong was a dedicated father of three, husband, Northwestern University basketball coach, and a man of deep faith and honor. 

Click for the Nomination Form -  IFI / Ricky Byrdsong Award

DEADLINE: 5:00pm, Thursday, October 24, 2019

email nomination form to: alexehioba@gmail.com

***Click to Register for the Event - Nov 12***

 

Picture from 2018 Ricky Byrdsong Luncheon

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The IFI Tom Dreesen & Comedians Golf Outing & Dinner was held at Makray Memorial Golf Club, located in Barrington, IL on September 11, 2019

The event included lunch, 18 holes of golf, cocktails, dinner, a salute to WWII veterans and performances by more than a dozen comedians including Tom Dreesen.

1995 Honorary Father of the Year, Wayne Messmer sang our National Anthem to pay tribute to the sacrifices our military has made on the somber anniversary of September 11th, and to honor IFI's own Tuskegee Airman Lawrence "Wilk" Wilkerson.  He also sang "Happy Birthday" to celebrate a milestone birthday for Tom Dreesen.

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IFI 2019 Honoree Father Award given to Abe Thompson at the Chicago Sky basketball game (8/18/2019)

Pictured left to right...

Chicago Sky Guy, Stan Dembouski, (IFI Secretary), Scot Marcotte, (IFI President),
Abe Thompson, Angela Thompson, Crystal Swenson, Phoenix Thompson

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IFI 22nd Annual Fatherhood Dinner Celebration
Thursday - June 6, 2019 - 5:30 pm
Union League Club of Chicago
65 W. Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL

where we celebrated our
Fatherhood Essay Contest Finalists and
Honoree Fathers of the year!

                                                                                                                                                         

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Fatherhood Essay Contest Semifinalists enjoyed fun at the

Chicago Fire game on May 11 . The Fire won 2-0

"Actively Engaging Fathers in the Education of Children"

A message from David Hirsch, Founder of IFI"

"Why We Need to Break the Cycle of Father Absence"