Community Highlights: Meet Gary Freeman of Major League Dad

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gary Freeman.

Hi Gary, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always had an affinity seeing young men and current fathers grow into who they were created to be. Being able to see men grow in the role of the father takes a lot of help especially when our own stories of our fathers might not be the best. I’ve learned in 15+ years of working with young men and fathers, that it takes embracing our own fatherhood story and engaging in every aspect of how it’s affected our lives, whether good or bad to create capacity for growth in being the father we need to be for our children and families now. Having a healthy view of fatherhood is extremely important.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has been a rocky road in growing in this work. Trying to figure out how the path looks in serving the targeted population that I do has been rough but rewarding. Finding out where Major League Dad fits in the effort to promote, celebrate, and build phenomenal fathers has been a long road, but a great experience in seeing fathers and families served in a holistic way.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Major League Dad?
Major League Dad serves fathers in low-socioeconomic areas to assist in their growth and ability to be the father they want and need to be. We focus on areas that are underserved as the stressors associated with fathers in these areas can overwhelm the family as a whole and we look to assist in all areas. MLD provides specialized sessions through a curriculum we use through the National Fatherhood Initiative to help young men and fathers see the role of fatherhood through their story, but also the story they want to build once they enter the role of being a father. At MLD we pride ourselves in not just being another session, but creating relationships that reciprocate awareness and trust as we all grow to be phenomenal fathers. We offer fatherhood growth sessions free of charge. We are a nonprofit and we depend solely on the generosity of people who see and believe in what we do and give towards helping us serve these fathers by proving living expenses help as well as relationship building, and community.

What does success mean to you?
Growing in the pace that we were created for, in the timing that is for us, to serve our families and those in our community to be who they have been created to be.

Pricing:

• Donate $20 a month towards our efforts (we are a registered 501c3)

Contact Info:

• Website: www.majorleaguedad.org
• Instagram: Major_league_dad