Each month, iParenting.com spotlights a father who inspires and moves us, who embodies the qualities that we all admire in a person, a man and a father. Above all, the Dad of the Month is dedicated to his children. Rich or poor, famous or not, he shines as an example of what fathering is all about.

Our choice for August is David Hirsch, father of five and founder of the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative.

Today's fathers are more dedicated to being an integral part of their children's lives than ever before. It's becoming more common for dads to leave work early to coach a soccer game, take on diaper duty or even quit their jobs to be full-time parents. But it's rare to find a man as dedicated to fatherhood as David Hirsch.

David's commitment to fathers and their children led him to found the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative (IFI) in 1997. As the country's first state-wide non-profit fatherhood organization, IFI's mission is to connect children and fathers by promoting responsible fathering and helping equip men to become better fathers and father figures. Today, David continues to be the active president of IFI while balancing his career as a Senior Vice President at Solomon Smith Barney with being an involved parent to his five children.

How David's Family Began
David met his wife, Peggy, in 1976 when both were high school juniors in Barrington, Ill. "For the record, Peggy was valedictorian of our 712-person graduating class," says David. "I recall being some 400 behind her." The couple went to different colleges, then, working as CPAs, each completed graduate degrees. They were married in 1983.

On September 15, 1989, David became a father. "When Young Dave entered the world, it was an overwhelming experience," says David. "It's hard to describe in a meaningful and comprehensive way, but there is a tremendous sense of being when you move from being a person to being a parent. It leaves you wondering about how less meaningful life is without taking on the responsibilities and challenges of parenting."

David's family continued to grow, welcoming Amanda (3/5/91), Emily (7/27/93), Charles (5/31/95) and Adeline (10/18/96) to the family. All children share the middle name Owens -- Peggy's maiden name.

The family also experienced some tragedy. Peggy had three miscarriages, including the loss of Amanda's twin -- and nearly Amanda, who was born eight weeks prematurely. "She was in the hospital for two weeks and hooked up to every conceivable monitor," says David. "The most difficult part was going home without her for those two weeks, since most people take for granted that Mom and baby will be healthy and go home a day or two after delivery. It helped put things in perspective how fortunate you are if there are no serious complications."

David, like most men, was profoundly changed by becoming a father. "Being a parent has heightened my awareness for the meaning of being of service to others. You realize how vulnerable a newborn is and how your involvement will impact their life. Parenting demands you refine your time management skills. Also, you develop the ability to deal with problems (family, work and otherwise) out of your control, since being a parent makes that demand."

David's Commitment to the Community
The Illinois Fatherhood Initiative grew from the combination of David's experience as a father and the commitment to community he had demonstrated years before. In 1993, David was selected as a fellow with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and his learning plan included research on what motivates individuals to put their assets in trust for the benefit of the community.

IFI is based on the philosophy that children and society are both better served when men meet and fulfill their roles in children's lives. While the overall objective of IFI is "connecting children and fathers," the organization also has several other imperatives. It is about social entrepreneurship -- taking "for profit" ideas and investing the profits into the community. It is about community-oriented leadership and building public and private partnerships. It is also about building community; bringing people together who would not otherwise come together -- in this case, around the concept of fatherhood.

David is also an active member of several civic, community and professional organizations including the President's Council of the University of Illinois Foundation, the Public Affairs Committee of the Union League Club of Chicago, the Young Leaders Group of The Chicago Community Trust and the Habitat for Humanity International Board of Advisors.

It All Comes Back to Home
Despite his many professional and volunteer commitments, David makes the time to be with his family every day. His evening routine is similar to many dads': dinner with the family, then facing the challenge of getting all the kids bathed, ready for bed and asleep before 10:00 p.m. He then puts in another two or three hours of work before heading to bed himself, but not before taking another moment to appreciate his children. "One of the most rewarding evening rituals is to poke my head into each of their rooms and see them slumbering away, each in their own way," he says. "There's a tremendous sense of accomplishment to be there for them."

David makes a point to savor the special moments of parenting. He describes one of his most favorite memories being captured in a photo of him with his grandfather and Young Dave on Father's Day 1993: "We were standing together, wearing our homemade Father's Day ties, that virtually no one would wear in public. Grandpa Sam is my father figure and the image is a permanent reminder of the legacy he has passed along. It also reminds me that you do things as a father that you would not otherwise do."

David's dreams for his children are simple and universal: "My hope is that they reach their full potential and have the confidence and independence to pursue their own dreams."