Two exemplary fathers recognized for dedication to family and community service
The Spokane Fatherhood Initiative (SpoFI) celebrated exceptional fatherhood and community commitment at their annual Father’s Day recognition ceremony, honoring two remarkable men who embody the organization’s mission of strengthening families through engaged, responsible parenting.
The celebration also marked a significant milestone for SpoFI’s growing impact, as 28 new graduates completed their comprehensive fatherhood training programs. Since launching classes in September 2018, the organization has now issued 753 certificates of completion, maintaining an extraordinary 93% graduation rate that demonstrates the transformative power of their evidence-based curriculum.
2025 Fathers of the Year
Custodial Father of the Year: DJ Merriam
DJ Merriam was recognized for his quiet strength, unwavering character, and exceptional commitment to both his family and community.
Merriam’s dedication to fatherhood excellence led him to complete nearly every course offered by SpoFI, including Fathering in 15, 24/7 Dad Advanced, Dad2Dad, Seven Secrets of Effective Fathers, and Dads About Fitness. His commitment to continuous learning reflects his passionate dedication to being the best father possible.
Described as possessing “a gentle personality that overlays a man of true conviction,” Merriam has distinguished himself through consistent service and personal growth.
Beyond his personal growth, DJ has faithfully volunteered for numerous SpoFI initiatives, often bringing his daughter alongside him as he serves others. His nominator emphasized his rare combination of humility and service, noting his consistent response to volunteer opportunities and his devotion to both his church and community.
Non-Custodial Father of the Year: Courtney Garnett
Courtney Garnett received recognition for exemplifying the qualities of an ideal father while navigating challenging circumstances with remarkable grace and determination.
Described as “emotionally reliable, grateful, honorable, and committed,” Garnett has made caring for and nurturing his young son his life’s top priority.
Garnett’s contributions extend beyond exceptional parenting to outstanding organizational service. As a classroom fidelity monitor and kitchen coordinator, he consistently exceeded expectations, creating standards of excellence that blessed the entire organization. His work was characterized by thoroughness, cheerfulness, and the ability to operate independently while maintaining the highest quality standards.
During the past two years, Garnett has faced significant co-parenting challenges, which he has handled with dignity and compassion. In his acceptance remarks, he credited SpoFI with providing crucial support during difficult custody proceedings, stating,
“Without SpoFI, I don’t know if I could have persevered… SpoFI has been there for a lot of support.”
Legacy of Excellence
This year’s honorees join an distinguished group of previous recipients, including Reggie Camps and Brian Kyle (2021), James Tidwell and Kevin Kizzar (2022), Richard Dee and Cameron Dietz (2023), and Donald Morrison and James Utke (2024).
The recognition program, established in 2021, celebrates fathers who have completed basic SpoFI classes, remain actively involved in their children’s lives, and demonstrate exceptional dedication to family and community. The dual categories acknowledge that outstanding fatherhood takes many forms, honoring both custodial and non-custodial fathers who rise to meet their responsibilities with excellence.
Continuing Impact
Executive Director Ron Hauenstein emphasized the broader significance of these individual achievements, noting that fathers “are the backbone of our strength, the guiding force of our families and the guardians of our safety.” The ceremony highlighted how personal transformation through SpoFI’s programs creates ripple effects that strengthen entire communities.
Garnett’s closing message to other fathers captured the essence of SpoFI’s mission:
“For any of you other dads out there who have been taking any classes at SpoFI or considering possibly wanting to become part of the organization, SpoFI is a great step for you to become a better father, a better parent, a better husband.”
The next round of classes begins June 24th, continuing SpoFI’s commitment to supporting fathers in their journey toward more engaged, responsible, and committed parenting. Information about upcoming programs is available through the organization’s community outreach efforts.
The Spokane Fatherhood Initiative strengthens families by helping fathers become more engaged, responsible, and committed parents. Since 2018, SpoFI has graduated over 750 fathers through evidence-based programming that transforms individual lives and strengthens the
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