From Corporate Strategy to Strong Fathers: Larry Smith on Fathers and Families Center

Larry Smith is a fifth-generation Hoosier and the CEO of Fathers and Families Center in Indianapolis, where the mission is to equip fathers and empower families. In 33 years the center has served about 28,000 fathers, and Larry is only its second CEO.

He spent 11 years at Cummins and became the youngest director of corporate strategy there at 32. Then he thought about what he wanted his epitaph to say, answered a call to ministry and has spent the 23 years since in nonprofits. In this episode of The PR Bunker Podcast he talks about the dads the center serves and what it takes to help them.

A few takeaways from the conversation:

The four Ps

The center's work is built on four Ps: person, parent, partner and provider. The dads it serves are 16 and older, mostly in their early thirties, with an average income around $10,000 a year. Programs are free, and the center actually pays fathers to attend its three-week Strong Fathers class.

Reentry that works

Reentry work starts within 90 days of a father's release. Larry says recidivism among the center's fathers is under 7 percent, compared with 45 to 50 percent across Indianapolis.

From maleness to manhood

Larry became a dad at 16 and grew up without his own father, so this work is personal. The Strong Fathers class includes a section called from maleness to manhood, and he shares a story from a McDonald's drive-thru.

Growth and what comes next

Since August 2022 the staff has grown from 13 to 24 and fundraising has more than doubled. Last year the center served a record 1,200 men, and its Vision for the Future campaign has raised about $4.6 million of a $5.5 million goal. Next up are online programming, growth outside Indiana and P3, a program for professional dads. Volunteers can help right now by joining the fatherhood panel or running mock interviews.

Learn more about Fathers and Families Center at ffcindiana.org.

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FAQ

What does Fathers and Families Center do?

Fathers and Families Center in Indianapolis offers free programs that help fathers 16 and older grow as people, parents, partners and providers, including the three-week Strong Fathers class and reentry support.

How can someone volunteer with Fathers and Families Center?

Volunteers can serve on the fatherhood panel or help fathers prepare for jobs through mock interviews.