100 Dads Who Care Santa Cruz County
My pledge“I stand with MENtors because no dad should have to figure out fatherhood alone. I believe every father — new dads, single dads, dads raising young children and dads working through the system — deserves support, community and a path back to his kids.”
Dads helping dads. Join 100 local fathers giving $100 each, and if you can, take a seat in the circle as a peer mentor to a dad who is where you once were.
This year, partner budget cuts took $70,000 from our work with 70 fathers in the child welfare system. 100 Dads at $100 each is how we start bringing it back.
Our goal by December 31: 100 fathers giving $100 each ($10,000) and a team of trained peer mentor dads. Be one of the first.
Two ways to show up
Give $100
Your gift keeps our English and Spanish fathers' groups, New Dads and Daddy & Me running. Give more if you can; every dad who gives $100 or more is one of the 100.
Be a peer mentor dad
Give about 2 hours a month as a volunteer peer mentor: time in a New Dads, fathers' or Daddy & Me group, plus our monthly mentor support and resource session. We train every mentor. Orientation starts in January 2027.
The dads we stand with
Every father deserves a circle of other dads who get it. Your $100 keeps that circle open for:
New dads
Expecting and first-time fathers learning to care for a newborn, a partner and themselves.
Dads with young children
Fathers of babies through five-year-olds, building the bond that lasts, including in Daddy & Me.
Single dads
Fathers raising kids on their own or co-parenting across two homes.
Dads working through the system
Fathers involved with the courts, probation or child welfare who are rebuilding and finding their way back to their kids.
Why it matters
When a father walks into his first MENtors group, he usually sits near the door. By the third or fourth week, another dad says, "I've been where you are," and he moves his chair into the circle.
Since 2017, MENtors has served boys, young men and fathers in Watsonville and across Santa Cruz County through bilingual, culturally rooted groups led by people with lived experience.
What your gift does
Take the pledge. Join the 100.
Give online now through PayPal and add the note "100 Dads" so we can count you.
Giving between Nov 19 and Dec 31?
Give through Santa Cruz Gives and your gift is boosted by matching funds. Search for MENtors at SantaCruzGives.org and add the note "100 Dads."
Prefer a check? Make it payable to MENtors Driving Change for Boys, Men, and Dads, PO Box 1585, Freedom, CA 95019. Write "100 Dads" in the memo.
Not a dad? Join 100 Men Who Care Santa Cruz County.
Uncles, coaches, brothers, grandfathers and neighbors: “I stand with MENtors. I believe every boy, young man, man and dad deserves the education, support and resources to thrive at every stage of life.” Give $100 through PayPal and add the note “100 Men” so we can count you. This year, partner budget cuts took $70,000 from our work with 70 boys and young men. 100 Men at $100 each keeps 10 of them in Jr. MENtors.
Give $100 with PayPalQuestions
Do I have to mentor to join?
No. A $100 gift makes you one of the 100. Mentoring is an open invitation for dads who have the time.
What does a peer mentor dad do?
Peer mentor dads join a New Dads, fathers' or Daddy & Me group alongside our trained facilitators, listen, and share their own experience as a father. The commitment is about 2 hours a month: time in a group, plus the monthly mentor support and resource session.
How do I become a peer mentor dad?
- Sign up and talk with us. Our team will reach out for a short conversation.
- Live Scan background check. Every mentor completes a Live Scan fingerprint background check before working with participants. We'll send you the form and nearby Live Scan locations.
- Orientation. Learn how our groups work, confidentiality, and what it means to walk alongside another dad.
- Peer mentor training. Practical skills for listening, sharing your story and supporting fathers, taught by our facilitators.
- Monthly support and resource session. Mentors meet each month to check in, learn about community resources and support each other.
Is my gift tax-deductible?
MENtors Driving Change for Boys, Men, and Dads is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 82-2506285). You'll receive a receipt for your records.
