Each year, Dr. Billy Earl Dade Middle School in Dallas, Texas, holds a “Breakfast with Dads” event to encourage fathers and father figures to connect with their students, but this year, Principal Tracie Washington noticed that some students didn’t sign up because they didn’t have anyone to invite. Worried about the impact, Kristina Dove, who helped organize the event, posted a call for volunteers on Facebook,
hoping to find 50 men to step in as “dads for a day.” What happened next blew everyone away—her post went viral, and over 600 men from the community showed up, ready to make a difference in the lives of these young boys. One of the volunteers, Archie Nettles, a motivational speaker and Army veteran, emphasized how important it was to show up for kids who might lack a mentor. When the students walked into the auditorium and saw a sea of smiling faces waiting for them, the excitement and surprise were overwhelming. The morning included a heartfelt moment where the men taught the boys how to tie neckties, symbolizing not just practical skills but the start of new bonds. Many students left feeling supported and empowered, with one boy proudly sharing that he had found a mentor he could look up to.
Inspired by the overwhelming success, Dove and her coworker are now working to keep these connections alive, encouraging the volunteers to stay involved in local community efforts. Their bigger dream is to replicate this movement in other cities across the country, sending a powerful message to the children of South Dallas—and beyond—that they are seen, valued, and capable of achieving anything, no matter their circumstances.