Sometimes the most meaningful connections begin with something as simple as learning how to braid your daughter’s hair.
For Salem-area nonprofit Beards & Braids, a hair-braiding workshop is about much more than mastering a new skill. It’s about fathers showing up, daughters feeling valued, and families creating memories that strengthen their relationships long after an event ends.
Founded by Derek Dellinger in August 2026, Beards & Braids is a growing nonprofit dedicated to helping dads and father figures become more present, intentional, and connected in their daughters’ lives. Through shared activities, opportunities to learn, and a supportive community of fathers, the organization is creating space for relationships to grow, one experience at a time.
A Father’s Vision Becomes a Community Mission
For Derek Dellinger, the inspiration behind Beards & Braids comes from his own experience as a husband and father of two.
With a background in construction and business ownership, along with volunteer service through Marion County Search and Rescue, Derek understands the importance of showing up for others. But fatherhood has given that commitment an especially personal meaning.
He recognizes that being a good dad doesn’t require having every answer. Sometimes it means being willing to learn something unfamiliar, make time for an activity, or simply be present when your daughter needs you.
That understanding inspired him to create a community where fathers can connect with their daughters while also learning from and encouraging one another.
As Derek explains, “Our daughters need to know they matter and that they can depend on us.”
It’s a straightforward belief with lasting significance. The everyday moments between fathers and daughters help create the trust, confidence, and sense of belonging that children carry into the future.
More Than Braids: Making Time for What Matters
The organization’s name may bring hair styling to mind, but Beards & Braids has a much broader purpose.
Its first event, held in October 2026 at Curious Curls Kids Salon, invited fathers to learn how to braid their daughters’ hair. Derek’s wife and several mom friends helped make the workshop possible, providing a welcoming environment where dads could try something new alongside their daughters.
The gathering was small, allowing for personal attention and meaningful interaction. What stood out wasn’t whether participants perfected their braiding technique. It was their willingness to participate in something that mattered to their daughters.
That experience captures the heart of Beards & Braids.
The activities provide a reason to put time on the calendar, step away from everyday distractions, and focus on being together. They also remind fathers that trying something unfamiliar can be part of building a stronger relationship.
For Derek, creating an environment where dads feel comfortable learning is essential. Participation isn’t about being a perfect parent. It’s about being willing to show up.
A Place Where Every Family Belongs
One of the most meaningful parts of the Beards & Braids mission is its commitment to accessibility.
Membership is free, and fathers and father figures are welcome regardless of their experience with parenting or their financial circumstances. This includes men who are new to fatherhood and those looking for a community of support.
Derek’s goal is to ensure that finances don’t prevent families from participating. When activities have associated costs, fathers who can afford to cover their participation are encouraged to do so. Donations and community support can then help make those experiences possible for families who cannot.
He wants asking for assistance to feel comfortable rather than becoming another obstacle to participation.
Christian faith helps shape the values behind Beards & Braids, while families of all backgrounds are welcome. Events are alcohol-free and intentionally focused on connection.
It’s an approach that reflects an important part of Derek’s vision: fathers don’t have to navigate parenthood alone, and every daughter deserves opportunities to feel supported and appreciated.
Building Something That Lasts
Although Beards & Braids is still a young organization, considerable thought and effort are going into establishing a sustainable foundation.
Behind every activity are conversations with local businesses, volunteer coordination, gathering supplies, and planning ways to help families feel welcome.
Derek isn’t simply interested in hosting occasional events. He hopes to build a community families can return to as their daughters grow and their relationships evolve.
Looking ahead, he also envisions a mentoring program for girls who don’t have a dependable father figure in their lives.
This initiative remains in the development stage and is not yet an active program. Derek intends to approach it thoughtfully, working with mothers and guardians while establishing appropriate screening, training, and safeguards for future mentors.
The goal is to eventually provide girls with trusted, encouraging male role models who take a genuine interest in their lives and consistently show up for them.
Rooted in Salem, Growing Through Community
Beards & Braids is deeply connected to the Salem area, and local partnerships are already playing an important role in helping the organization grow.
From Curious Curls Kids Salon opening its doors for the inaugural workshop to volunteers contributing their time and talents, the nonprofit’s beginning demonstrates what can happen when community members work together around a shared purpose.
As a member of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, Beards & Braids hopes to continue developing relationships with businesses, organizations, and individuals who believe in supporting local families.
Having recently received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, the organization is establishing a regular calendar of father-daughter activities and preparing for a silent auction on November 14, 2026, to help support its mission.
Derek is also seeking volunteer board members who can help guide the nonprofit’s future. Individuals with experience in nonprofit leadership, financial management, fundraising, youth mentoring, or community outreach are especially encouraged to connect. These unpaid leadership opportunities offer a chance to contribute to an organization in its earliest stages. Interested individuals can contact Derek at derek@beardsandbraids.org to share their background and interest in serving.
Helping Fathers Show Up, One Memory at a Time
What makes Beards & Braids worth recognizing isn’t simply the activities it organizes. It’s the thought behind them.
A dad learning to braid hair may seem like a small moment. But for a daughter, that moment can communicate something much bigger: You’re important to me. I’m willing to learn for you. I want to spend this time with you.
As Beards & Braids continues to grow, its mission offers an encouraging reminder that strong family relationships are built through consistent attention, shared experiences, and the simple willingness to be present.
For fathers looking to connect, community members interested in volunteering, or local businesses hoping to support the mission, there are opportunities to become part of the story.
Learn more about Beards & Braids, discover upcoming events, or explore ways to get involved here.
Because sometimes, the most lasting thing a father can give his daughter isn’t something he buys. It’s the time he chooses to spend with her.
