IFI Programs

IFI is committed to connecting dads and kids. That includes fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, and father figures. In the past decade, we have implemented a variety of programs, events and resources that promote responsible fathering. Some we’ve developed on our own. For some we partner with national or local organizations.

You’ll quickly notice that all our programs work on several levels. We’re serious about fatherhood, but we have fun along the way. We battle fatherlessness, but celebrate every father who simply chooses to be there for his son or daughter. On occasion we honor specific dads, but we also motivate thousands of dads to connect with their kids. Even with fund-raising events, our primary goal is to remind men of their responsibility and calling as fathers and father figures.

We’re constantly looking for new opportunities, new partners, new volunteers, new sources of funding and new friends. Please join us in this noble work.

BOOT CAMP FOR NEW DADS

Boot Camp for New Dads is a unique father-to-father, hospital based and community-based workshops that inspires and equips men of different economic levels, ages and cultures to become confidently engaged with their infants, support their mates and personally navigate their transformation into dads.

In the weeks before their new baby arrives, men attend Bootcamp workshops to better prepare themselves to be the father their newborns need. Women over two feet tall are not invited to Boot Camp! As you may imagine, these workshops – taught by other experienced fathers – are especially valuable to those new fathers who did not have a strong male role model growing up. Currently, about 20 hospitals in Illinois have participated in BCND.

IFI is hoping to add a dozen more Boot Camp locations in the coming year.
To recommend a hospital or for more information, click here.

WATCH D.O.G.S.® (Dads Of Great Students)

WATCH D.O.G.S.® is the safe school initiative of the National Center for Fathering that involves fathers and father figures to help create a more safe and secure learning environment in our nation's schools.

Who are WATCH D.O.G.S.®? Fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles, and other father figures who volunteer to serve at least one day each year in a variety of school activities as assigned by the school principal or other administrator. Wearing their official WATCH D.O.G.S.® badge or T-shirt, these men help kids off the bus, go out for recess, open juice boxes at lunch, do flashcards, etc. We’ve found many of these dads had never even set foot in their children’s schools before!

School administrators and dads both agree WATCH D.O.G.S.® is a winner:

v 79% of principals surveyed strongly agreed or agreed that "The WATCH D.O.G.S.® program has made a significant contribution to the safety of our school."

v 96% of dads who completed our End-of-Day Survey strongly agreed or agreed that their "experience as a
WATCH D.O.G.S.® volunteer was rewarding" and they would "want to do something like this again."

IFI is hoping to dramatically expand the number of schools that participate in the WATCH D.O.G.S.® program.

To get your school involved or for more information, click here.

Ricky Byrdsong Award

RICKY BYRDSONG AWARD

Ricky Byrdsong was a dedicated husband, father of three, Northwestern University basketball coach, AON employee and man of deep faith and convictions. This award was created in 1999 in response to the hate crime that took his life and is intended to recognize men who are good fathers, have reached out and made a difference in the lives of youth, and have a demonstrated spiritual dimension to their lives

A panel of individuals including Sherialyn Byrdsong reviews nominations and the award is presented at the annual IFI/Fall Fatherhood Celebration Luncheon. Past Recipients of the Ricky Byrdsong Award include Mike Singletary, Bob Muzkowski, Dr. Harold Davis, Philip Jackson, Johnny Zayas, Carlos Burns, Joseph Whittington, and Fernando Carrasco.

To nominate an outstanding individual for this honor, click here Byrdsong Award Application

IFI / CHICAGO WHITE SOX FATHERHOOD ESSAY CONTEST

Over the last ten years, the children of Illinois have written more than 400,000 essays as part of IFI’s annual Fatherhood Essay Contest. Themes for the essays have included “What My Father Means to Me” and “What My Dad Dreams for Me.” Volunteers from across the state read the emotionally-charged essays in four categories: fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers and father figures. Every essay writer receives a handsome certificate of participation signed by the Governor of Illinois, two tickets to a Chicago White Sox game, and a host of other prizes.

Essays are written in January and February. In the Spring, the 156 finalists are invited to a special Faces of Fatherhood Celebration at U.S. Cellular Field. Around Father’s Day, twelve essayists and their dads (three in each category) are recognized at the IFI Fatherhood Dinner and four Bright Start College Scholarship winners are announced. Finally, educators from the top participating schools are also acknowledged at the IFI Fall Fatherhood Celebration.

Each year, our essay winners often get significant media coverage – even having appeared on Oprah – but the big news is really the many father/kid connections made as a result of our work. Before submitting their essays, all students are given a chance to review what they wrote with their father or father figure. Just imagine the thousands of meaningful conversations that take place across the state each year!

To get your school involved or for more information, click here

IFI CELEBRITY GOLF INVITATIONAL

Primarily a fund-raising event, each year IFI sponsors a prestigious golf outing that brings together national celebrities, local sports heroes, corporate sponsors, dedicated fathers, and eager volunteers. Held in August at one of the premier Chicagoland golf courses, the two or three day event includes community outreach, silent and live auctions, a banquet with nationally-known entertainment, and golf scores that range from impressive to humbling.

Past participants include Jim McMahon, Smokey Robinson, Mike Ditka, Johnny Bench, Mike Tomczak, Kevin Butler, Tom Dreesen, Rollie Fingers, Ed Marinaro, Richard Dent, Mike Eruzione, Steve Cochran, Michael Chang, Dan Quayle and many others. One celebrity per foursome!

It’s a great time and you can be involved by sponsoring a foursome, a hole, a table, or a special activity customized to promote your own organization. You’re invited to donate auction items, recruit golfers or volunteer. The focus is on making new friends and promoting involved and active fathering.

For more information on this year’s Celebrity Golf Invitational

IFI/Credit Suisse Celebrity Golf Outing & Dinner
Tuesday, August 26, 2008

For more information about golfing, dinner and sponsorship opportunities
please send us an email by clicking here
or call 773 474 7150

Click here to view our golf outing flyer

IFI E-NEWSLETTER

2008 will see the re-introduction and expansion of IFI’s popular e-newsletter for Illinois fathers and friends of IFI. Regular editions will include details on upcoming IFI events, father-friendly activities around the state, IFI recommended resources, meaningful volunteer and charitable giving opportunities, words of encouragement and news you can use.

As we develop and design our new e-newsletter, we’re looking for stories, sponsors and suggestions. (Maybe your place of business could co-sponsor the entire e-newsletter, which will be read by tens of thousands of Illinois dads!)

To make sure you get every edition, click here and leave us your best e-mail address.

IFI takes great pride in all the programs, events and resources with which we have been involved over the past decade. Maybe you or a dad you know were personally impacted by our other offerings over the years:

v Development of the parent resource guide, “I Want My Child to Succeed in School”

Let us know if there is any way we can help the men in your neighborhood, club, school, church, team, or place of business be the best dads you can be. The children of Illinois deserve nothing less!