The story, leadership, and partnerships behind the mission to reconnect dads with their children.
Our History
Where it started.
In 2019, our founder set out to answer a question—instead of volunteers like himself trying to fill a father role for boys without an active dad, is it possible to reconnect estranged dads with their kids?
Jeff Hutter began volunteering as a big brother in the Kansas City Big Brother Big Sister program in 1975, shortly after graduating from the University of Kansas. He continued mentoring after moving to Louisville and broadened his work through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Louisville.
After years of volunteering during his career in medical / dental management, Mr. Hutter set out to answer the above question when he retired in 2019. Trying to talk with as many people in the courts and agencies as possible, he was connected to then-Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Madison County, Steve Koester—now Judge of the Family Court. “Judge Koester walked me down the hall to Judge Angela Sims and staff director Katie Stapleton of Problem Solving Court, and from there our fatherhood program began.”
Since then, We Help Dads has provided class training to more than 200 fathers from the court system in Madison County, provides fatherhood instruction in the Hamilton County Jail through the TOWER Program, and conducts classes at the Madison County Corrections Complex.
Beginning in 2024, volunteer graduate dads began mentoring others who have turned their lives around but need help overcoming obstacles to full involvement with their children.
Leadership
Who We Are
Board of Directors
Jeffrey Hutter
Founder & President
Jeff retired from a career in dental and health care management in 2019 to found We Help Dads. He was active in programs to mentor boys without fathers in Louisville and Kansas City before creating a program to reconnect estranged dads with their children. He began his career as a broadcast journalist after graduating from the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism. He has a son and several stepchildren and grandchildren in Indiana, Kentucky, and Texas, and an informally adopted son in Kentucky.
Randy Jaros
Treasurer
Randy was born and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago, IL. He attended Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, MI and graduated with a double-major in accounting and economics & business administration. Following college, he worked for Price Waterhouse in Chicago for three years before starting his own accounting and tax practice.
Randy and his wife Nancy live in Noblesville and have two children and eight grandchildren in Noblesville and Lafayette. Prior to moving to Noblesville, Randy was active in leadership at Emmanuel Bible Church in Berwyn, IL for over 20 years as an elder, teacher and small group leader. He currently attends White River Christian Church in Noblesville where he teaches a men’s Bible study and leads a co-ed small group. In addition to serving with We Help Dads, Randy is also a board member of LifeWise for the Noblesville School District.
Ryan Farley
Secretary
Ryan is a dedicated addiction recovery professional with over 6 years of experience in mental health and substance use treatment. He has a strong background in program development, mentorship, and community outreach, with a passion for breaking the stigma surrounding addiction and promoting recovery. As a full-time father of two, Ryan leads with purpose, balancing his professional work with his most important role—being present for his children every day. He is committed to helping individuals and families find hope, build resilience, and create lasting change through support, education, and second chances.
Tressena Jones
Board Member
Tressena Jones is an educator, author, and speaker. She is the founder and administrator of Virtue Prep Academy, championing parent-powered, student-centered education that puts families first. Tressena is on a mission to build healthier communities by encouraging engagement that supports stronger home-school-community partnerships. She proudly serves on the board of We Help Dads to promote the power of present fathers.
Mike Cox
Board Member
Mike is the Peer Support Coordinator for the Madison County Problem Solving Court. For several years, Mike has served as the Panel Leader for the Indiana area Narcotics Anonymous and regularly mentors at least 10 people in recovery. After many years of incarceration stemming from drug-related activities, Mike has devoted himself to helping others burdened by drug addiction. Mike has two children.
Program Advisors
Guidance rooted in psychology, court experience, and fatherhood support.
John Wenger, Ph.DPsychology, Advisor to Madison County, IN, Problem Solving Court
Tom Murray, Ph.DPsychology, Initial Program Advisor & Instructor, Anderson University
Where We Work
Partner Programs
We Help Dads has been a fatherhood resource for these court programs across Indiana.
The Problem Solving Court of Madison County
The Problem Solving Court of Grant County
The TOWER Program on Hamilton County Corrections
The Madison County Correction Department
The Madison County Community Justice Department
We Help Dads coordinates for Madison County Family Court a grant from the Indiana Supreme Court to provide free legal assistance to parents referred by agencies seeking expanded rights with their children.
Program Volunteers
We thank past graduates who help our current program participants.
Take the next step
Want to learn more, partner with us, or support the mission?
Every class, referral, partnership, and gift helps more dads get connected and stay connected with their children.
