How to Find a Dads Group Through Dads Supporting Dads

Updated

You can find a dads group through Dads Supporting Dads (DSD) by using the "Find Your City Dads Group" section of its website, which connects fathers to local groups across the U.S. and beyond. The site describes these groups as offering dads nights out, family play dates, and virtual support groups, and presents joining the community as the way to build a support system. This guide fits fathers at any stage who want in-person or online connection with other dads; it is not a directory of licensed therapists or a crisis service.

What Dads Supporting Dads Is

DSD describes itself as part of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has united organizations working in the dad space since 2008. Its stated purpose is to create an expansive support system addressing what the U.S. Surgeon General called a "loneliness epidemic" among men. The site says it offers a growing list of resources and access to one of the largest and most engaged dad communities in the United States and beyond.

That framing matters for expectations: DSD is a community and resource hub, not a clinical provider. The value it advertises is connection — meeting other dads locally or virtually — rather than treatment.

Step-by-Step: Finding and Joining a Group

  1. Go to the DSD website at dadssupportingdads.org.
  2. Locate "Find Your City Dads Group." This heading appears in the site's main navigation and on the homepage, so it is the entry point for local groups.
  3. Check whether your city is listed. The site says groups span the country "and beyond," but it does not publish a full city list in the available material. If your area is not shown, treat the virtual support groups as the fallback.
  4. Choose the format that fits you. The site names three options: dads nights out, family play dates, and virtual support groups. Pick based on whether you want adult-only time, activities with your kids, or remote connection.
  5. Join the community. The site's "Join Our Community" action is the stated way to connect with other dads. Expect to provide basic contact details through a form; the site does not describe a membership fee or login requirement in the available material, so confirm any costs or account steps directly on the site.
  6. Verify before you commit. Because group schedules and city coverage change, confirm the current meeting time and location with the group organizer after joining.

Expected result: you are connected to at least one group format — local or virtual — and have a contact point for upcoming meetups.

Matching the Format to Your Situation

Format Best for What to confirm
Dads nights out Fathers who want adult conversation and peer support Frequency, venue, and whether newcomers are welcome
Family play dates Dads who want to meet other fathers with kids of similar ages Ages of children attending and location
Virtual support groups Dads in cities without a local group, or with limited free time Platform, meeting time, and group size

If you are a new or expectant dad, DSD also offers a guide, A Sanity Saving Guide To Better Support New And Expectant Dads, which the site notes was selected as one of Babylist's Best Parenting Books for Dads. Reading it before joining can help you arrive with specific questions.

Other Ways to Connect If No Local Group Fits

  • Podcasts: The Dads Podcast Network, powered by DSD, lists shows including Modern Dads, DILF (Dad I'd Like To Friend), and Dads With Daughters. The site reports half a million downloads and counting. Listening is a low-commitment way to sample the community's tone before joining.
  • Blog and resources: The site's navigation includes Blog, Resources, and Support sections for fathers who want information before seeking connection.
  • Contact form: For media, advertising, sponsorship, or general questions, the site directs visitors to its contact form.

Common Sticking Points

  • No group in your city. The site does not guarantee coverage everywhere. Use the virtual support groups or the podcast network as substitutes.
  • Unclear next steps after joining. The site describes joining at a high level but does not publish a detailed onboarding process. If you do not hear back promptly, resubmit through the contact form.
  • Assuming it is a therapy service. DSD is a nonprofit community and resource organization. For clinical mental health needs, look for licensed providers; DSD's role is peer connection and practical resources.

The Bottom Line

Start with "Find Your City Dads Group" on dadssupportingdads.org, pick the format — nights out, play dates, or virtual — that matches your schedule and stage of fatherhood, and join the community. Confirm meeting details with the organizer, and use the podcast network and new dads guide while you wait for your first meetup.