A New Chapter and a Renewed Vision
After 37 years of full-time ministry through Dads for Boys, our journey has entered a new and important season following the COVID era.
Founded in 1989, Dads for Boys also expanded into Latin America, where we developed a successful international health and nutrition business. With a strong presence in countries such as Venezuela, Argentina, and Puerto Rico, our Latin division became a key foundation for the ministry.
For decades, our headquarters for Latin operations were based in Caracas, Venezuela. Through this 37-year business, we were uniquely positioned to fund 100% of all ministry activities—both in the United States and internationally—without relying on outside financial support.
However, when the Venezuelan government and financial system collapsed, the banking system shut down, and we lost our primary international business operations. As a result, we closed those offices and transitioned our base of operations fully to the United States, establishing our work in Florida.
From there, we developed our 240-acre Boys Ranch on Lake Yale in Umatilla, Florida—a place where thousands of boys and families were mentored, trained, and restored.
Following the COVID era and a changing cultural landscape, we made the decision to transition out of the ranch property and into a smaller two-acre lakefront setting. This shift allowed us to continue working locally—partnering with city leaders, county officials, churches, and community programs—serving on a more focused scale, but with the same heart and commitment.
Yet through all of these seasons, one reality became increasingly clear:
After nearly four decades of direct involvement with youth and families, the challenges facing this generation are not decreasing—they are intensifying.
Today, approximately one in four children in America—over 18 million—are growing up without a father in the home, a number that has steadily increased over time.
At the same time, we are witnessing not just one issue, but a convergence of four major youth epidemics: fatherlessness, excessive screen and gaming immersion, declining physical and mental health, and increasing parental disengagement and lack of awareness.
Recognizing the urgency of this moment, what began as a season of transition has become a renewed calling.
Today, we have stepped back into full-time ministry—launching a new national initiative focused on addressing these four converging crises, equipping families, empowering communities, and restoring direction, purpose, and hope to the next generation.
NOTE: El presidente de la organización, John, también habla español.
