Non-profit organization
The Dovetail Project is a non-profit organization that provides black and brown fathers ages 17 to 24 in Chicago with a 12-week curriculum that teaches skills like understanding their rights when engaged with law enforcement, financial literacy, and job and parenting skills. The organization is located in the Southwest side of Chicago, Illinois, and was founded in 2010 by Sheldon Smith. The organization also runs the fatherhood relief fund. This fund was started in 2020 and delivers items such as food, diapers, formula, and other useful home items through giveaway events. The non-profit gets financial support from family and private foundations, leading to them making around $720K in funding in 2022. The project has also been supported by numerous notable groups and figures ranging from Nike to Fifth Third Bank.
History.
Sheldon Smith was 21 when he started this project, stating that its goal is to provide black and brown fathers with skills to be better fathers, men, and members of their community. Smith created this organization due to both of his parents being teenagers when they had him and because his father was in and out of his life as he grew up. He wanted to create something to support young fathers ages 17 to 24.
Fatherhood Relief Fund.
The fatherhood relief fund is an effort that the organization started at the beginning of April 2020 during COVID-19. It provides fathers access to essentials that they and their families need. From April 2020 to 2022 the relief fund has helped over 10,100 families and continues to hold events.
Educational program.
Dovetail's curriculum spans 12 weeks with students comprising black and brown fathers aged 17–24. The organization recruits participants for the program through their outreach team. Within this program, students are taught childcare and parenting skills along with financial literacy. The three areas the program focuses on are parenting skills, life skills, and felony street laws. Through initiatives, participants are enrolled in either a GED examination, a trade program and / or they receive job training through one of Dovetail's partners. This is done concurrently with the program and completed after graduation from the program. During the program students also receive a bus pass and refreshments. For a year after the program's completion, the program's case-management team will provide follow-up support to its graduates.
Notable contributors.
The Dovetail Project has received support from a number of sponsors and donors. Some of the notable ones include: