DadLINE serves dads and their families in Northeast Missouri. We are a fatherhood coaching program located in Kirkville, MO. In short, we coach dads regarding everything from parenting skills, healthy relationships, child well-being, to financial stability. In addition, we focus on each father’s individual needs and interests.
Here is what we believe:
Dads are lifelines for their children and families.
But what is a lifeline?
- a thing on which someone or something depends or which provides a means of escape from a difficult situation.
- a rope or line used for life-saving. Typically one thrown to rescue someone in difficulties in water or one used by sailors to secure themselves to a boat.
When dads are present and involved, children are more likely to thrive. Not only are their social, physical, cognitive, and emotional developments improved, they are less likely to find themselves in trouble as they grow older. On the contrary, according to the 2017 U.S. Census Bureau, when dads are absent, their children are:
- Four times more likely to face poverty
- More likely to have behavioral problems
- And more likely to go to prison
- As well as more likely to commit a crime
- Seven times more likely to become pregnant as a teen when they are a girl
- More likely to face abuse and neglect
- More likely to abuse drugs and alcohol
- As well as two times more likely to drop out of high school
In other words, dads matter.
DadLINE’s Mission:
Our mission is to strengthen father-child relationships and promote responsible fatherhood. We do so through education and mentoring activities. Ultimately, our goal is to support and equip fathers and their families in Northeast Missouri.
DadLINE’s Objectives:
Our objectives are:
- To equip,
- Empower,
- And engage dads through four areas of focus:
1) Healthy relationship workshops,
2) Responsible parenting workshops,
3) Financial and career support,
4) And case management.
DadLine’s History:
DadLINE is a program of Lifeline. Lifeline was first established in 1997 to provide family support and educational services in Northeast Missouri. Today, Lifeline serves over 250 women and men each year. It provides a variety of no-cost supportive services and programs, including:
- Prenatal and parenting education,
- Pregnancy testing,
- Limited ultrasound,
- Family-focused peer and professional counseling,
- Sexual risk avoidance (school-based program serving over 5,000 students each year)
- And many community referrals.
Lifeline began serving fathers through the DadLINE program in 2013. As such, it focused on one-on-one coaching sessions. The dad volunteers were passionate men wanting to make a positive investment in the lives of other dads. As the enthusiasm grew, more and more dads stepped in.
Here is what dads say about DadLINE:
“When you sign up for DadLINE, you get to meet with another dad. He’s basically someone who’s been in your shoes, who knows how to be a father. He’s there to answer your questions but not just that. He also gives you a pat on the back to let you know everything’s going to be fine. That gave me hope.”
“I have learned so much. A lot of people here are parents themselves, so we get to see how they interact and learn from them . . . I know there’s hope even when things get hard.”
“Thanks to the program, I made new friends and also learned ways to improve my life skills.“
“I use the packpack that I received through the program all the time. In addition, the giftcards helped pay for my son’s birthday present.“
In 2020, Lifeline received the Fatherhood FIRE (Family–focused, Interconnected, Resilient, and Essential) grant from the Office of Family Assistance. The grant allowed Lifeline to extend the DadLINE program and serve even more fathers in the process.
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DadLINE does not provide or refer for abortion.
