DUMBO Dads Run Club

What makes Brooklyn a place where you want to raise your family?

Brooklyn is such a thriving place to be a family. I crave community and I love activities, so living in Brooklyn feels like I have endless opportunities for myself, my family and my career. I’m constantly amazed and motivated by the creativity and kindness of Brooklyn parents. I firmly believe exposing kids to new and different experiences and cultures is critical for child development, and Brooklyn provides such a beautiful and uplifting snapshot of the world.

Why did you start DUMBO Dads Run Club?

When I became a dad, my entire concept of time changed. Every parent knows this feeling. I started Dumbo Dads Run Club to help come up with a solution for the growing challenge of being there for my son, my wife and my fitness goals. I also found myself thinking there are probably a lot of other dads experiencing many of the same challenges. I started running with Liam and it hit me. We are having a blast together, running Brooklyn Bridge Park and hitting the playground together. My wife is getting 90 precious minutes to have a relaxing cup of tea, get her nails done, relax with a book or most importantly, sleep in. Instead of starting the day feeling overwhelmed, we get a fresh start and a positive perspective. I started inviting other dads to join and our motto quickly became: Let mom sleep in.

Another motivation around the concept of time is how we spend it. Our kids are watching us and it’s so important what they see. I think cell phones and screens are an epidemic that can really harm families so I love that DDRC is promoting being outside, being together, being in Brooklyn. My goal is to help dads and kids prioritize health, wellness and community over screen time and scrolling.

What is the cause you care about for our communities?

For the last two years I have been growing my nonprofit here in Brooklyn. Tucks Travels pays for passport applications for low income New Yorkers and helps send high school students abroad for the first time. We believe travel is education and experiences abroad can be a zero to one moment for child development. Travel builds compassion and confidence while shaping our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. In April, we took 12 students from Brooklyn to Costa Rica for an absolutely magical adventure and we’ve helped over 200 kids in New York get a passport. Only 43% of Americans have a passport. Each application costs $179 – our mission is to eliminate that financial burden for all families and help young people have the opportunity to see the world. Seeing is believing.

What are you looking forward to for Father’s Day this year?

This is my last Father’s Day with just my son Liam. My wife is due in September and we are having a baby girl! I know how precious this time is with my two year old and I’m just so grateful to be his dad. On Father’s Day, I can’t wait to wake up and run and hear him say “Go Go GO!” in the running stroller.

What does Brooklyn Backs Brooklyn mean to you?

Brooklyn Backs Brooklyn is a lifestyle. It’s a mindset that our neighbor is our friend and we are stronger when we work together. We assume the best in people and show up for them, especially the ones that need it most. Every person is going through something, from Brownsville to Bed-Stuy to Brooklyn Heights – Brooklyn Org is the connective tissue that gives every person an opportunity to achieve their goals.