“MAD DADS is making a meaningful difference by strengthening families, supporting neighborhoods, and inspiring hope throughout Minneapolis. As a father and longtime resident, I'm grateful for their dedication to creating a safer, more connected community.”

I wanted to take a moment to thank you and everyone at MAD DADS for the work you do to strengthen families and make Minneapolis a safer place for everyone.

This is my first time reaching out to your organization, but I've become increasingly aware of the important role MAD DADS plays in supporting neighborhoods, encouraging young people, and bringing communities together around difficult issues.

I have lived in South Minneapolis for many years and raised my son here. He recently graduated from college, which is something I'm incredibly proud of. Being a father has shaped the way I see my community, and over the past several years it has been difficult to watch public substance use, graffiti, and neighborhood disorder become more common. Living along the Blue Line, I've seen how these challenges affect not only public spaces but also the mental well-being of residents and families.

My own experiences with chronic pain and the healthcare system have also given me a greater appreciation for how complicated addiction can be. Because of that, I believe strongly that compassion and accountability belong together. People struggling with addiction deserve treatment, support, and opportunities for recovery, while families deserve neighborhoods where children can grow up feeling safe and where public spaces are welcoming to everyone.

Although I'm naturally an introvert and chronic pain sometimes limits my energy, I care deeply about Minneapolis and want to do what I can to support positive change. I may never be the person standing at the microphone, but I believe there is value in listening, encouraging others, and supporting organizations that are making a difference.

I simply wanted to express my appreciation for your leadership and for everything MAD DADS does to support fathers, families, and the broader Minneapolis community. Please know that there are residents like me who sincerely appreciate your efforts and are rooting for your continued success.

Thank you again, and I wish you and everyone at MAD DADS all the best.

With appreciation,

— William, Community Member

“MAD DADS transforms lives, develops leaders, and makes our neighborhoods safer every single day. I give them my highest recommendation for the impact they have on our community.”

My name is Art Erickson. I am the Executive Director of Studio-180. A local nonprofit that specializes in training the next generation of community leaders through a program called Rising Community Leaders.

I am writing this letter in support of MAD DADS being able to continue to do Violence interruption work in the city of Minneapolis and in particular the Central/Powderhorn community they have been serving for the last 26 years. I worked for 25 years at Park Avenue Methodist church as the Community & Youth Pastor, for 11 years was President of CNIA (Central Neighborhood Improvement Association) at the Sabathani Community Center. In 1993 I founded Urban Ventures, which was built on "Crack Alley," in the middle of the Alexander Brothers' pornography empire and with many abandoned buildings, and a neighborhood that was the core of "Murderapolis" in 1996. We owned the Sears Roebuck building for 7 years, built the Colin Powell Youth Leadership Center & Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, soccer fields, and farm. Since George Floyd, we also built The Lake Street Works Trades Training Center for neighborhood high schoolers. We know our community!

We have partnered with MAD DADS on numerous occasions, from them helping to keep the peace at our community movie night, as well as our grand opening events. I also refer MAD DADS people to our RCL training program.

I have lived in this community for over 57 years, and I see them patrolling the streets daily preventing and interrupting violence and providing resources to people in need. One thing we appreciate about MAD DADS is how they employ people who are looking for a fresh start in life and know they can receive that with them.

Through the training and experience people receive from and with them, they have real true life-transformation. In addition to the excellent training and supervision they give for providing security in our challenged urban neighborhoods, they are producing leaders who have the educational, financial, moral, relational, technical, and vocational, tools to build businesses, families, homes, and neighborhoods. The services they provide truly are making this to happen with real outcomes: "Changing Stressed Geography into Successful Community!"

Jordan Nelson, The Executive Director, and I meet Tuesday bi-weekly for 30 minutes to just discuss community and how we can continue to serve and help those in our community. The things I have learned about him and the organization through these discussions lead me to believe they would be the perfect organization to do the best violence interruption work in our city. I give them a clear #10 top rating in their training programs and skill development.

— Executive Director, Studio-180 | Rising Community Leaders

“MAD DADS provides a visible sense of safety and hope that our community simply couldn't replace. Their presence has made South Minneapolis stronger during our most difficult moments.”

My name is Alex Hands, I met MAD DADS when I was working at Lake Street Works, a community based workforce development program across the street from the MAD DADS office. I left Lake Street Works on November 1st 2024, and am actively independently consulting with non-profits in the South Side of Minneapolis, many of which are in the service area to MAD DADS.

I am writing this letter in support of MAD DADS being able to continue to do Violence interruption work in the city of Minneapolis and in particular the Central/Powderhorn/Philips community they have been serving for the last 26 years.

Having worked with several agencies and schools in the South Minneapolis area, I know the impact that MAD DADS has in the community. Their violence prevention efforts creates a sense of confidence and safety that without them would be sorely missing.

Seeing the green shirts of the MAD DADS volunteers on the streets gives community members, businesses, families, and individuals the knowledge that protection is just around the corner. In the troubling times following George Floyd's death, when law enforcement resources were stretched to the limits, MAD DADS stayed steadfast in their mission to patrol the blocks of South Minneapolis and kept the peace with their presence.

I whole heartedly support them being in the community and would love to have to continue to bring about change and safety in our community.

— Alex Hands, Community Development Consultant

“For more than 25 years, MAD DADS has been a trusted partner making our neighborhoods safer and our community stronger. Their commitment to protecting families and building lasting relationships is unmatched.”

I am the President and CEO of Urban Ventures, a nonprofit organization based in South Minneapolis that has been serving youth in the Twin Cities for over 30 years.

I am writing this letter in support of MAD DADS to encourage you to support their important work in our community. We have partnered with them in myriad ways since their inception 26 years ago and have directly benefited from their excellent work in our city, especially in the Central/Powderhorn community. For example, they have recently provided safety support to high school students leaving our vocational training program after dark, ensuring their safety as they proceed to their buses or await pick-up by their parent or guardian.

I am also grateful for their daily work patrolling our streets, preventing and interrupting violence, and generally being a force for good in our community. I appreciate how they build lasting relationships with community residents and business. In fact, just last year a senior member of my team worked with MAD DADS to co-host a Hispanic Heritage Community business meeting to help build a deeper relationship and give businesses a better understanding of how MAD DADS can support them.

I strongly support the work of MAD DADS and sincerely hope that they will continue to receive the funding and other support they need to continue serving our community.

— David L. Hawn, President & CEO, Urban Ventures