To end the fatherless epidemic we must empower dads through Excellence
Our Story
Dad-E Academy is a non profit organization that seeks to empower men to become the fathers that their children deserve. As of 2022, there are an estimated 24 million children who live in fatherless homes. Combined with men who have lacked the fathering that is essential for success, a cycle of fatherlessness will continue. After several years as the director of Reno & Fernley Crisis Pregnancy Center, Otto Kelly witnessed firsthand the desperate need for fathers. 70% of the young men coming through the doors of the Centers had no or very little contact with their biological dad. Because of this, he founded Dad-E Academy. Since we've started, we've seen countless men and families benefit from the program; and we're only getting stronger.
What We Do
By mentoring and assisting young fathers, we want to eradicate the fatherless epidemic. As a result of fatherless homes;
63% of all youth suicides 71% of dropouts, 73% of incarcerated males, 90% of homeless youth, 85% of all incarcerated youth, 65% of teen pregnancy and 85% of all youth displaying behavioral disorders all stem from fatherless homes.
Our Founder
Otto Kelly
Founder & CEO
Otto losing his father at an early age of cancer caused a deep father wound. He soon found validation and affirmation from sports where he excelled. As a young man he played for the University of Nevada. Soon after he began a long career in public service. For 11 years he served as Gang Specialist/Outreach Coordinator for Washoe County Department of Juvenile Services. While there, Otto observed that many young men and women on his case load from various backgrounds lacked a father’s presence in their lives. This father deprivation led to a wide range of social ills. Otto developed diversion and preventive programs such as Role Model Summit, Learn to Affirm Youth Celebration and many others. In this calling he was awarded a plethora of awards; The NAACP youth services award, The Northern Black Cultural Awareness Society Community Service Award, a mayoral proclamation naming May 27th, 2010, Pastor Otto Kelly Day, just to name a few. He still serves as Religious Service Coordinator for Washoe County Department of Juvenile Service. For nine years Otto served as executive director for the crisis pregnancy center(s) in the greater Reno area. It is here where he further witnessed firsthand the desperate need for fathers. 70% of the young men coming through the doors of the Centers had no or very little contact with their biological dad. As a result, the probability of them witnessing positive fathering was very low. Because of this, he founded Dad-E Academy. Otto is actively involved in a global men’s movement called Christian Men’s Network, as well as Global Fatherhood Initiative. Otto has been married to his wife Joy for 34 years. He has two adult sons Alonzo (wife Alyssa) and Dominic.
