Our Journey and Commitment
Founded in 2020, Single Dads Outreach has been dedicated to empowering single fathers through mentorship and community support. Our mission is to foster strong families by providing essential resources and connections.
With the support of 70 founders, friends, and fans, we’ve empowered single fathers in our community to create stable and nurturing environments for their children.
We are proud to have 5 dedicated mentors who guide and support our single dads on their journey.
In the past year, we have hosted 50 community events, fostering connections and support among single fathers.
About US
Founded at about the same time as the pandemic reopening, Single Dads Outreach,
Corp sprung from a couple of generations of single dads meeting up and talking about
the serious challenges to custodial fathers in the courts, social services, communities
and in the redefining of a family unit. It became increasing clear that formal, focused
services specific to fatherhood did not exist. Connections were occurring through word
of mouth, social media, monthly playground meet ups and even Florida
Representative’s referral. Single Dads Outreach, Corp was addressing a quite personal
but galvanizing social problem.
Interestingly, as this loose confederation of single dads was forming, the State of Florida
passed legislation inviting grassroots, community-based organizations, including faith-
based, to take a role in delivering social services in their regions, The Responsible
Fatherhood Initiative, HB 7065.
Florida’s Department of Children & Families twice denied Single Dad Outreach a grant
award. This occurred despite the Department being ordered by the SubCommittee on
Children, Families and Seniors to repeat the grant application process for awarding
substantial funds to national nonprofit powerhouses not headquartered in Florida and
despite Single Dads Outreach outscoring all applicants statewide.
Yet, in spite of being deterred by large state agencies, Single Dads Outreach along with
its growing number of founders, friends and fans continues to advocate for allowing
fathers a place at the discussion table for Fatherhood.
Francisco "Cisco" Melendez
Fatherhood Specialist
a national motivational speaker and program developer with over 20 years of experience in outreach, community engagement, and fatherhood initiatives. He is a key figure at the National Renaissance Consulting Group (NRCG) and leads the Dads Make A Differenceprogram, in partnership with the National Fatherhood Initiative. Cisco believes that knowledge is key and is deeply committed to teaching the community everything he has learned. His motto is: “In order to make a change in the system, you must be a part of it and change it from the inside.” His passion for empowering fathers, strengthening families, and transforming systems from within has made him a respected voice in both local and national circles.
Carly Zekanoski
Acting Executive Director
Carly is a Masters Degree graduate in Non Profit Organization Management from the University of Central Florida. She is an experienced fund raiser and visionary grant and business plan navigator. Mostly though, Carly is a loving motor and spouse to a husband raised by a single dad; so she gets us.
Joshua Krakow
Active Dads Administrator
Joshua Krakow serves as the Active Dads Administrator for Single Dads Outreach of Southwest Florida, working directly with fathers in the community to provide support, guidance, and resources. He brings both strong leadership and a deeply personal understanding of the challenges single fathers face. Joshua was one of four men who might have been his daughter’s father. He first met her when she was just three months old, and from that moment, he co Joshua’s mission with Single Dads Outreach is to advocate for meaningful family court reform, ensure fathers have the tools and support they need, and stand beside those who feel like they’re fighting a system that wasn’t built for them. His goal is simple but powerful: no father should have to walk this path alone.
