Solving social issues, equipping fathers & families

Community safety

County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) Long Beach South Bay South LA Gateway Cities East LA

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Our trainings, programs and conferences are built on 15 years of collaboration to address the breakdown of healthy father impact that has resulted in men with regret and children vulnerable to exploitation and threats the internet poses. Father-Con resulted from working on the prevention of human trafficking which revealed the intersection of fathers with this issue and others. Extensive study of challenges to healthy, fulfilling father experience and 7 years of our trainings, Father-Con clarifies specifically why fathers, when equipped with understanding and resources, can greatly reduce poverty and incarceration rates, education disruption, violent behavior, children vulnerable to exploitation and being put into the system. The head of UNESCO said, “More than just a second parent or an extra set of hands, fathers are one of the best child development resources we have, and if we are going to give children the best start in life, we all need to fully recognize and utilize this role.”

We have hosted five conferences featuring dozens of workshops and presentations designed to educate, inspire, and empower fathers, father-figures, and future fathers. Each event has addressed a range of critical issues, supported by current research on the vital role fathers play in healthy child development. Since 2018, we have emphasized fathers' impact in preventing both the supply and demand sides of human trafficking, and now expanding this focus to other areas of the impact of father absence, abuse, and disengagement has become more evident. We are scaling our efforts to better inform, inspire, and equip men for successful and fulfilling parenting. This year, we are launching training in healthy masculinity and future fatherhood, alongside 24-week fatherhood programs led by three trained facilitators which we already see is insufficient to meet demand. We also need more materials to provide attendees. Our upcoming hybrid conference will increase access for men unable to attend in person and include a breakout feature to connect attendees to support groups that address their needs. We engage diverse communities across LA County—especially those most in need. With this grant, we can expand these free events and meet the growing demand to help men build homes where children are safe, supported, and able to thrive. In 2026 we also plan to include a training for high school aged children in integrity, cyber safety and guidance for how parents navigate those challenges.

If our work is successful, Los Angeles County will experience lasting change in family stability and youth outcomes. TYRO’s evidence-based programs address fatherlessness (impacting over 1/4th of children in LA County), disengaged or abusive parenting by equipping men with the tools to lead, love, and parent with purpose. By redefining success to include strong fatherhood, we help reduce dropout rates, behavioral issues, foster placements (currently 28,000), and justice involvement. Fathers model empathy and responsibility, leading to lower crime and incarceration. Engaged parenting by both parents also lowers poverty and family instability. Our programs prepare young men to embrace fatherhood as a joy and duty—not a burden—helping reduce divorce and improving outcomes for children, even when families are separated. We have found that inspired fathers also contribute more to their communities as well as their families.