Ludwig Blake
Photo courtesy of Ludwig Blake
Even resilient, self-assured men need a shoulder to lean on. That’s especially true for fathers raising children on their own. Strong Men In Need (SMIN) has answered the call to provide that support. Established in January 2023 by three South Florida men, including
Ludwig Blake, who serves as vice president, the Palm Beach Gardens nonprofit empowers single fathers of all races, religions, sexual orientations and backgrounds to be the best parents they can be. The organization offers a support line where single fathers can receive over-the-phone counseling, along with transportation and housing assistance.
“There is a lack of resources available to males,” explains Blake, 41, who hails from New York and lives in Port St. Lucie. “When single fathers turn out to be really good parents, it’s not spoken about enough. Males also don’t like to communicate as much as females, so they don’t ask for help when they’re struggling financially, like I was.”
Blake adds that the three friends who started SMIN originally paid for the majority of the organization’s expenses out of their own pockets. Today, they still provide funding where needed, but they also rely on event raffles, donations and sponsorships from companies like The Home Depot and Publix.
With backgrounds in building, roofing and general contracting, the founders have begun constructing homes for single fatherers in need. SMIN presented the first one to a dad in Fort Pierce on Father’s Day 2025, and future projects already in the works.
“We all have very busy schedules, so whoever is available on a volunteer basis does whatever is needed,” Blake says.
SMIN holds two major community events annually. A pre-Thanksgiving dinner, with assistance from volunteers, provides turkey meals and giveaways at Cunningham Park in Riviera Beach. The Father’s Day black-tie event, held the night before the holiday at Hurst Chapel in Riviera Beach, celebrates fathers who have played a major role in their children’s and grandchildren’s lives, Blake says.
The goal with SMIN, he adds, is to have those the nonprofit has helped “give back and help others when we’re not around anymore.”
For more information or to support Strong Men In Need, call 954-464-4258 or visit strongmeninneed.com.