On Father’s Day 2025, Spokane families gathered at Riverfront Park to celebrate fatherhood, honor Gabriel’s memory, and strengthen the bonds that make our community whole.
This article was written by Jennifer L. Byrd, a valued contributor to SpoFI. Jennifer is a mother, donor, volunteer, and veteran educator who brings her unique perspective and dedication to our organization. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Jen for her multifaceted contributions to SpoFI, which have a profound impact on our community.
Two vital leaders in Spokane, Kitara Jones-Johnson and Ron Hauenstein, came together this Father’s Day to take real, actionable steps toward strengthening our community through connection.
A legacy of healing and hope
Kitara, honoring her son Gabriel’s memory, is building a legacy of education and awareness around fentanyl. Her message rings clear throughout Spokane: community engagement is not optional, it is essential. She reminds us that healing and hope begin when we show up for one another and collaborate to empower the vulnerable.
Ron, founder and executive director of Spokane Fatherhood Initiative (SpoFI), shares that same commitment to community connection. His organization offers fatherhood classes designed to help Spokane men parent with presence, calm, and strength. These classes create spaces for vulnerability and growth, fostering deep bonds between fathers and building bridges throughout our community.
Gabriel’s Challenge brings families together
This Father’s Day, that spirit of connection filled Riverfront Park. Families from across Spokane gathered to celebrate fatherhood and take part in Gabriel’s Challenge, an event honoring Gabriel’s life and his belief in the power of community in recovery. Gabriel once wrote that community was vital to healing, and he laid out a plan. From Mother’s Day to Father’s Day this year, his words became a movement.
The celebration included community speakers, face-painting, a dance contest, and a raffle. Children’s laughter mixed with heartfelt conversations as fathers connected with their kids and each other.
SpoFI honors 2025 Fathers of the Year
As the fathers of SpoFI gathered on stage, the crowd erupted in cheers for the 2025 Fathers of the Year. These men represent the heart of what SpoFI’s fatherhood programs achieve in Spokane.
DJ Merriam: Custodial Father of the Year
The Custodial Father of the Year, DJ Merriam, is a quiet leader who has completed multiple SpoFI classes and continually gives back through volunteer work and service. His dedication to both his children and the Spokane fatherhood community exemplifies the transformation that happens through SpoFI’s programs.
Courtney Garnett: Non-Custodial Father of the Year
The Non-Custodial Father of the Year, Courtney Garnett, has been a faithful volunteer and advocate for SpoFI’s mission. Through the organization’s classes, he found not only support in his role as a father, but a sense of belonging during a difficult year. His story shows how Spokane fathers can find strength in community.
Laughter and connection close the day
The event closed with a dad joke contest that had everyone groaning and laughing in equal measure. It was a lighthearted moment that captured the spirit of the day – fathers being present, families connecting, and community healing through joy.
Building stronger families, stronger Spokane
This weekend, downtown Spokane became a reflection of its people: vibrant, outspoken, and heart-felt. People came together to celebrate, to speak up, and to stand for causes bigger than themselves. Through remembrance, laughter, and shared purpose, our community moved closer to the vision Gabriel left for Spokane: a place where we engage and show up for one another.
Ready to join the SpoFI community? Learn about our upcoming fatherhood classes or volunteer opportunities that strengthen Spokane families one father at a time.
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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