PORT ORANGE, Fla. — Becoming a father is something this Everyday Hero has plans to do in his future, but he’s already getting a lot of practice.

He volunteers with a Central Florida nonprofit that pairs a child with a volunteer, so those youths have a father figure in their lives.

What You Need To Know

  • Taylor Jones volunteers as a "father figure" to a child without a father in his life

  • Jones gives his time to the nonprofit "No Longer Fatherless"  

  • He Has mentored for five years

Taylor Jones, a mortgage loan officer, and Nathan Nuzzi, 14, are not blood relatives. But, if you see them together, you may think otherwise.

“I’ve had incredible experiences. He’s had incredible experiences,” Jones said. “A lot of our, like, bucket list items, we’re checking off together.”

Just like a real father and son pair might do, but Jones and Nuzzi didn’t know each other until Jones started giving his time to “No Longer Fatherless.”

“I heard Skip, the founder of No Longer Fatherless, talking at our church, and it was actually on Father’s Day,” Jones said. “And I just felt a nudge. I felt called to sign up for the program, learn more about it.”

Jones signed up on that Father’s Day five years ago and was paired with Nathan a few weeks later. Each volunteer with No Longer Fatherless takes a four-week training class, followed by a deep background check. Jones said it’s worth it, and Nuzzi loves the connection they’ve developed.

“It’s not like he acts like he has authority over me. We just hang out," Nuzzi said. "Best friends. He helps me talk about things.”

Nuzzi sometimes has a lot to talk about. His aunt signed him up for the program because Nuzzi’s father isn’t in the picture, which is an unfortunate problem in many families.

“Some of my friends, they also don’t have a father figure in their life, and they would also like to join the program,” Nuzzi said.

While it’s great to be Nuzzi’s mentor, Jones said that Nuzzi is teaching him skills to be a father in the future.

“It’s not a one-way street. I mean, it’s extremely rewarding on both sides,” Jones said.

There is a wait list with children who need a father figure in their lives. Learn more about the organization and how to become a volunteer.