"Single Dads Foundation" Startup
Donation protected
When Dads get divorced or lose their spouse, they face an array of difficult choices. Am I capable of being a single Dad? How do I manage my career while still putting my kids needs first? In cases of divorce, there are even more questions. How do I co-parent? What skills will I need to take on solo parenting when Mom is not around? When I got divorced, I went through this process. I looked for resources online. There was a lot of help for single Moms -- but almost nothing for single Dads. What little I did find was either attorney-sponsored marketing for legal services or groups on both sides arguing over legislative issues or child support.
Eight years ago, despite the lack of support and information, I made the choice to get as much custody of my children as I could get and, despite a variety of challenging moments, it has been an incredibly rewarding and life changing experience. Since then, I have met single Dads from all walks of life. They all have stories to tell. Some are heartbreaking, some are inspiring and others are simply too rich in detail to put into a category. But one common theme is the loneliness of single fatherhood, the sense of isolation from other men and from the community. Even today there are forms from my own county and school that refer to the "non-custodial parent". There is no recognition of the widespread practice of shared legal and physical custody. There is a critical need for our society to bring the reality of single Dads into the mainstream, and to bring resources together to help us be the best parents we can be for our kids, and be recognized for our role in our communities. That's why I decided to start the Single Dads Support Foundation. Our goals are very simple:
1) Create an online space for single Dad resources called "wearesingledads.org". The site will allow single Dads to register and for others to post events/resources and other links by ZIP code.
2) Create a forum both online and in communities across America to allow single Dads to connect with one another, provide advice and share their stories.
3) Build a team of professionals and volunteers to support single Dads in the community, advocate for their needs, speak for them in matters of public discourse and work to counter the sterotypes of "deadbeat Dads" and, most of all, encourage Dads to step up and play a positive role in their children's lives.
So far, I have spent hundreds of hours and over a thousand dollars of my own money towards making this happen. I have reached a point where I know I cannot make this happen alone. That's why I created this page to reach out to single Dads and their supporters to ask for your help. I don't just need money, I can use your skills, your stories, your time and your passion to help give single Dads a voice. Please do whatever you can to help.
The money you donate will be used in a variety of ways, including legal and accounting support, marketing and web design services, travel costs to make this organization truly national in scope and to enable us to create a board of Directors and organizational structure to make this organization grow and do so quickly.
Please remember that any contribution you make is NOT tax-deductible at this time, but with your support, the next time you want to help the Single Dads Support Foundation, it will be. Again, I cannot do this alone. Please give me your support. Thank you to those of you that have helped me along this path so far, and thanks in advance to those of you that are reading this and making the decision to join me.
My name is Eeshan Melder, and you can learn more about me at www.eeshanmelder.com. You can reach me at [email redacted] at any time to discuss the Single Dads Support Foundation and its goals. Once the webiste is up and running, you can watch us grow at www.wearesingledads.org. Thanks again for your time and for your help.
Warmly,
E
Eight years ago, despite the lack of support and information, I made the choice to get as much custody of my children as I could get and, despite a variety of challenging moments, it has been an incredibly rewarding and life changing experience. Since then, I have met single Dads from all walks of life. They all have stories to tell. Some are heartbreaking, some are inspiring and others are simply too rich in detail to put into a category. But one common theme is the loneliness of single fatherhood, the sense of isolation from other men and from the community. Even today there are forms from my own county and school that refer to the "non-custodial parent". There is no recognition of the widespread practice of shared legal and physical custody. There is a critical need for our society to bring the reality of single Dads into the mainstream, and to bring resources together to help us be the best parents we can be for our kids, and be recognized for our role in our communities. That's why I decided to start the Single Dads Support Foundation. Our goals are very simple:
1) Create an online space for single Dad resources called "wearesingledads.org". The site will allow single Dads to register and for others to post events/resources and other links by ZIP code.
2) Create a forum both online and in communities across America to allow single Dads to connect with one another, provide advice and share their stories.
3) Build a team of professionals and volunteers to support single Dads in the community, advocate for their needs, speak for them in matters of public discourse and work to counter the sterotypes of "deadbeat Dads" and, most of all, encourage Dads to step up and play a positive role in their children's lives.
So far, I have spent hundreds of hours and over a thousand dollars of my own money towards making this happen. I have reached a point where I know I cannot make this happen alone. That's why I created this page to reach out to single Dads and their supporters to ask for your help. I don't just need money, I can use your skills, your stories, your time and your passion to help give single Dads a voice. Please do whatever you can to help.
The money you donate will be used in a variety of ways, including legal and accounting support, marketing and web design services, travel costs to make this organization truly national in scope and to enable us to create a board of Directors and organizational structure to make this organization grow and do so quickly.
Please remember that any contribution you make is NOT tax-deductible at this time, but with your support, the next time you want to help the Single Dads Support Foundation, it will be. Again, I cannot do this alone. Please give me your support. Thank you to those of you that have helped me along this path so far, and thanks in advance to those of you that are reading this and making the decision to join me.
My name is Eeshan Melder, and you can learn more about me at www.eeshanmelder.com. You can reach me at [email redacted] at any time to discuss the Single Dads Support Foundation and its goals. Once the webiste is up and running, you can watch us grow at www.wearesingledads.org. Thanks again for your time and for your help.
Warmly,
E
Organizer
Eeshan Melder
Organizer
Bethesda, MD