January 20th holds special weight in Spokane’s fatherhood story
Ten years ago today, about 100 community leaders gathered at Union Gospel Mission and did something the facilitator said he’d never witnessed in meetings across six continents: they unanimously agreed on the single biggest problem facing their community.
Fatherlessness.
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, dozens gathered: fathers, families, staff, and supporters at SpoFI’s offices at 711 E 3rd Ave to mark that milestone—and the decade of transformation that followed.
The beginning: Three events that changed everything
Ron Hauenstein had been carrying a vision for fatherhood ministry for over four years when he walked into that 2016 meeting. Inspired by Richmond, Virginia’s bold declaration that fatherlessness was a public health crisis, he’d been talking to anyone who would listen about starting something similar in Spokane.
“I thought, ‘Well, at least we’ll have one vote,’” Ron recalled during his opening remarks at the celebration.
But table after table stood up with the same conclusion. By the end of the meeting, ten of twelve groups had identified fatherlessness as Spokane’s root problem.
SpoFI considers January 20, 2016 its official birthday—the prophetic moment that set everything in motion.
Then came heartbreak.
That summer, a Washington State Patrol sting operation exposed the depth of the crisis. A fake Craigslist ad offering children—ages 8, 11, and 12—drew 1,000 responses. Thirteen arrests followed.
“Somebody has to do something about that,” Ron thought.
Weeks later, between August 29 and mid-September, three toddlers died at the hands of their mothers’ boyfriends: Maliki Wilburn (16 months), Quentin Warren (24 days), and Adalynn Hoyt (2 years). Unrelated tragedies. Same devastating pattern.
The data backed up what everyone could feel: Spokane County’s child abuse rate ran 35% higher than Washington’s state average. Domestic violence? Fifty percent higher.
“Somebody needs to do something about that,” Ron said again.
So they did.
From $200 to a pillar in the community
Weekly meetings at the Gathering House turned into a fatherhood conference on January 20, 2017. By July 2017, SpoFI incorporated. Ron and Becky deposited $200 to open the checking account.
“Today our budget is $450,000 a year,” Ron noted at the celebration. “That’s a better rate of return than Bitcoin.”
The numbers tell part of the story:
- 832 fathers have graduated since 2018
- 154 graduates in 2025 alone
- 93% completion rate (compared to 60-70% nationally)
- 96 classes hosted
- Programs spanning 24/7 Dad (Basic and Advanced), Anger Free Dad, Faithful Fatherhood, and Dad2Dad
In December 2025, Congressman Michael Baumgartner referred to SpoFI as a “pillar in the community” in remarks on the floor of Congress.
But the real story is in the transformed lives—the dads who did the hard work of changing themselves so their families and communities could change too.
Who showed up: The brotherhood at the heart of it all
The cake cutting celebration brought together the people who built this movement:
Leadership and staff:
Ron Hauenstein (Founder and Executive Director) with his wife of 50 years, Becky
Fred Dent (VP, Board Member, 24/7 Dad facilitator, and Executive Director of Second Chances)
Nathan Henry (Spokane127 ED, Board member, and SpoFI operations manager)
Eric Flaten (bookkeeper, grant writer, Spokane Prayer Summit leader, local teacher, and 24/7 Dad facilitator)
Greg Naker (supporter, 24/7 Dad facilitator, and local teacher)
Patrice Fitch (Spokane Family Law Self-help Center)
Lawrence Jay Long (SpoFI alum, Dads AF creator and alumni organizer, former Dad2Dad co-facilitator, and digital strategy specialist)
Alumni who became the movement:
James Tidwell: 2022 Father of the Year and volunteer
Jim Uttke: 2024 Father of the Year, Anger Free Dad facilitator (attended with his mother and daughter)
Courtney Garnet: 2025 Father of the Year, 24/7 Dad co-facilitator (attended with his son Josiah)
Family and supporters:
The mix tells the story SpoFI has been writing for a decade: transformed fathers don’t just graduate and disappear. They come back. They facilitate classes. They bring their kids. They model for the next generation what engaged fatherhood actually looks like.
“Give the dads a hand”
Ron closed his remarks by acknowledging the people around the room.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere without the people who give us money and these dads that are all around the room here making us look good,” he said. “These dads did the hard work by digging in and saying, ‘We’re willing to make changes in ourselves so our families will change and our communities will change.’”
Because that’s what this is really about: fathers choosing to show up differently. To learn. To grow. To break cycles. To build brotherhood. To raise secure kids in strong families.
Changed dads change everything.
Looking ahead: The next decade starts now
SpoFI’s 10th birthday isn’t just about looking back—it’s about building momentum for what’s next.
Join the formal celebration: February 6th anniversary dinner
When: Friday, February 6, 2026 | Doors at 5:30 PM, dinner at 6:00 PM
Where: Mirabeau Park Hotel, 1100 N Sullivan Rd, Spokane Valley
Keynote: Former Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl
Tickets: $120.
Register: SpoFI.org/10
This community-wide celebration will feature transformation stories, recognition of supporters, and a vision for SpoFI’s next chapter. Whether you’ve been part of the journey or you’re just learning about our work, there’s a seat at the table.
March programs: Transform your fatherhood
24/7 Dad Basic and Advanced
Starts: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
The evidence-based curriculum that’s helped hundreds of Spokane fathers break cycles and build stronger families. Whether you’re starting from scratch or ready to go deeper, there’s a place for you.
Dads AF (About Fitness) relaunch
Starts: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Six weeks combining fitness, holistic health curriculum, and adventure activities. Brotherhood built through sweat equity. Learn more about the Dads AF vision.
Visit SpoFI.org/register to register or learn more.
Why Spokane? Why now?
It’s fitting that Spokane hosts one of the nation’s most effective fatherhood initiatives. After all, this is the birthplace of Father’s Day—established in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd to honor her own father who raised six children after his wife died in childbirth.
More than a century later, SpoFI is carrying that legacy forward by ensuring fathers have the support, skills, and brotherhood they need to show up for their kids.
The crisis that catalyzed SpoFI in 2016 hasn’t disappeared. But neither has the solution: changed dads.
Ten years in, with nearly 1000 graduates and counting, the evidence is clear. When fathers get the training, community, and encouragement they need, everything changes. Kids thrive. Families heal. Cycles break. Communities strengthen.
As Ron said to the dads gathered for the celebration: “You did the hard work.”
And because they did, hundreds of Spokane children have fathers who know how to be emotionally present, manage anger, build connection, and lead with purpose.
That’s worth celebrating.
Ready to join the movement? Whether you're a father ready to transform your family, a donor who wants to fuel this work, or a volunteer willing to walk alongside struggling dads, there's a place for you at SpoFI. Connect with us today.
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