"Connecting
Children and Fathers"
Illinois
Fatherhood Initiative
20 North Wacker Drive Suite 1441
Chicago, IL 60606
1-800-996-DADS (3237) Chicagoland 312/920-9590 Fax
312/920-9591
Email -
4fathers@earthlink.net
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"Connecting |
Illinois
Fatherhood Initiative |
History of the IFI
Click for Video - What We Are About
Illinois Fatherhood Initiative subscribes to the philosophy that a physically, psychologically and emotionally healthy father striving to assist his child is one of the most desirable and enduring qualities of the human race.
Founded in 1997, Illinois Fatherhood Initiative (IFI) is recognized as the first statewide not-for-profit fatherhood organization in the United States. Father absence is the core issue around which IFI has developed and is continuing to grow. It has been estimated that over one million children in Illinois go to bed each night without a father in their homes, much less in their lives. Father absence, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, is among the most powerful determining factors for the success or failure of millions of children.
The mission of Illinois Fatherhood Initiative is "connecting children and fathers" by promoting responsible fathering and helping equip men to become better fathers or father-figures. IFI envisions the existence of a physically, socially, spiritually, and mentally strong community. IFI is committed to pro-active teaching and promotion of responsible fathering. IFI is also committed to achieving its stated mission by working in 4 core areas: 1) Education, 2) Health, 3) Workplace, and 4) Illinois Fathers Resource Network. IFI's goal is to remain a flexible and efficient organization having the ability to identify existing resources for fathers, develop targeted programs and serve as a catalyst to bring together the people, organizations and institutions necessary to meet these challenges.
It is widely known that the number of families with multi-socio economic and health needs are rapidly expanding. The historic feminization of poverty is due to a rate of paternity estimated at 50 percent or lower in some communities. The continued narrowing of economic resources in the disadvantaged communities, and the dramatic growth in numbers of both rural and urban minority populations are representative of these demographic trends. A new dimension to these challenges from the 2000 census indicates that the fastest growing demographic trend was single father families.
IFI is a tax-exempt not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. IFI works in partnership with community based organizations, healthcare institutions, the corporate community, government, educational organizations and institutions, local religious denominations, community leaders and many individual volunteers.
IFI is commited to maintaining a small paid staff and a large group of volunteers, governed by a well-rounded volunteer Board of Directors with an established record of financial support for the organization's mission, vision, and commitment. The Board represents the interests of the broader community and includes, but is not limited to, individuals from the professions, business, academic, religious, and lay community leaders. The success of IFI is rooted in volunteers acting on the belief that every child benefits from a relationship with a loving, caring, and nurturing father.
Founder
David A. Hirsch, Senior Vice President, Smith Barney, Inc.