--- title: Start Where You Are to Change the Ending description: Be inspired to help dads start where they are, not where they were, to make changes for better ends in 2022 and beyond! image: https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_change-the-ending.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/start-where-you-are-to-change-the-ending#main) - [![NFI mark](https://www.fatherhood.org/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI%20mark.svg)FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://www.fatherhood.org/) - [STORE.FATHERHOOD.ORG](https://store.fatherhood.org/) [![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=149&height=82&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=65&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=119&height=66&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ![NFI_logo_blue_left (1) 1](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NFI-Assets/images/NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png?width=89&height=49&name=NFI_logo_blue_left%20(1)%201.png) ](https://www.fatherhood.org) - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) Open main navigation Close main navigation - Show submenu for Get Informed Get Informed - [How To Build Strong Families](https://www.fatherhood.org/build-strong-families) - [Why Father Inclusion Matters](https://www.fatherhood.org/why-father-inclusion-matters) - [Father Stats & Infographics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - Show submenu for Get Involved Get Involved - [Fatherhood Programs](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/programs-and-resources) - [Train Your Staff](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/staff-training) - [State, County, and City Agency Services](https://www.fatherhood.org/solutions/collaborative-services) - Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Find Your Stage of Father Inclusion](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-inclusion) - [How Father Friendly Is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) [Get In Touch](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) [Store](https://store.fatherhood.org/?hsLang=en) Show submenu for Get Started Get Started - [Fatherhood Data & Statistics](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic) - [How Father Friendly is Your Organization?](https://www.fatherhood.org/father-friendly) - [Other Free Resources](https://www.fatherhood.org/nfi-free-resources) - [Talk With us to Get Started](https://www.fatherhood.org/get-started) National Fatherhood Initiative Blog / [Latest Articles](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood) [fatherhood work](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/topic/fatherhood-work) # Start Where You Are to Change the Ending 2 min read ![NFI_Blog_change-the-ending](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Blog/NFI_Blog_change-the-ending.jpg?width=453&name=NFI_Blog_change-the-ending.jpg) > “You can’t go back and change the beginning, > but you can start where you are and change the ending.” > >                                                                                         ~ C.S. Lewis The New Year is here and like millions of Americans, I’m ready to make some resolutions and changes of my own. To urge me on, I have the wonderful quote above by British writer C.S. Lewis hanging in my office. It speaks volumes about so many things, but it also makes me mindful of the dads that reach out to [National Fatherhood Initiative®](https://fatherhood.org) (NFI) for help. They are muddled in battles with the mothers of their child, courts, custody, visitation, child support, etc. Some of the stories really tug at my heart as I envision a man who is feeling helpless and worse, hopeless. Even more so, I envision a child that is stuck in the middle of these battlefields that can negatively impact their stability and future. Being that we don’t serve dads directly, my mind is eased that thousands of organizations exist that currently or plan to help dads. And the great news is that you and the dads you serve aren’t alone in these battlefields. NFI has a number of resources and programs to help YOU help dads “start where they are and change the ending.” I like to call this *transformation* which is defined as: “the act or process of changing completely: a complete change.” (merriam-webster.com) If your organization is offering evidence-based programs such as NFI’s [24:7 Dad®,](https://store.fatherhood.org/24-7-dad-programs/) (AM or PM) or [InsideOut Dad®](https://store.fatherhood.org/insideout-dad-programs/), you are equipping these dads to be transformed into involved, responsible, and committed fathers. They get to understand their “beginning” but also get to learn about the possibilities of a changed “ending.” If you also offer other interventions to get over some of the obstacles, like job training, housing, mental health support, etc. you are further boosting the transformations. Even better, by providing [resources and programs for moms](https://store.fatherhood.org/moms-involving-dads/) to help them understand and work with the father of their child, you better the odds for the successful transformation of both parents, and that can strengthen the outcomes for the child. The ultimate goal is to see transformed fathers. That’s why we feature [impact stories](https://www.fatherhood.org/our-impact) from dads and organizations who have experienced NFI’s programs and found the motivation they needed to change the ending. For example, [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dca8FK8SLpI) is a dad from Montgomery County, MD Housing Authority sharing how the 24/7 Dad® program impacted him and transformed his relationship with his son.  The ending looks promising! To that end (pun intended), I wish everyone on the frontlines of father engagement work a very happy and blessed New Year, and the stamina to go forward in 2022 helping dads start where they are to change the ending for themselves and their families! [![he Benefits of Fatherhood Programs in Community-Based Organizations](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/135704/bbfbc796-8f3f-495b-a089-976b4f177f1f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/135704/bbfbc796-8f3f-495b-a089-976b4f177f1f) Date Published: 01/04/2022 Last Updated: 03/31/2026 ## Learn How to Build a Fatherhood Program That Works Download this free guide for a proven 7-step roadmap—from making the case and securing funding for your program, to launching and measuring real results! [Get The Guide Now!](https://www.fatherhood.org/starting-a-fatherhood-program) ![7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program](https://www.fatherhood.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png?width=700&height=700&name=7-steps-starting-a-fatherhood_program.png) [ Previous ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/national-fatherhood-initiative-earns-2021-guidestar-platinum-seal-of-transparency) [ Next ](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/how-effective-are-programs-supporting-unmarried-nonresidential-fathers) ## Related Articles ### [Do We All Have Mental Health Issues? The answer is YES! Every November, National Men’s Health Awareness Month raises awareness and provides support for those facing prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental ... Read More](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/do-we-all-have-mental-health-issues) ### [How to Bring Dads Back to School Last year, in our Championing Fatherhood Blog, we posted an article on engaging dads in their children’s education. Dads, Schools, Rules, and Tools shares some great tips and ... Read More](https://www.fatherhood.org/championing-fatherhood/how-to-bring-dads-back-to-school) ### [24/7 Dad® - Worth the Wait I would like to introduce you to Timmy Morgan, aka Tim, a Fatherhood Coordinator with BCFS Health & Human Service Healthy Start Tyler, and a long-time facilitator of National ... 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