Scientology: How We Help—Taking Back our Communities with The Way to Happiness
Members of the Church of Scientology support MAD DADS in its work to reclaim the neighborhoods of Minneapolis.
V.J. Smith, founder and president of the Minneapolis chapter of MAD DADS and national MAD DADS president, released the group’s new edition of The Way to Happiness April 13.
MAD DADS—Men Against Destruction, Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder—has added a new weapon in the fight against crime, drugs and violence on the streets of Minneapolis: The Way to Happiness, a common sense guide to better living.
V.J. Smith, founder and president of the Minneapolis chapter of MAD DADS and national MAD DADS president, released the group’s new edition of The Way to Happiness April 13. City officials and religious leaders joined MAD DADS in front of the “Wall of Pain,” a sign bearing the names of Minneapolis homicide victims —114 in just over the past three years.
MAD DADS was founded in 1989 in Omaha, Nebraska, by parents who decided to reclaim their neighborhood one child at a time. Now more than 75,000 men, women and children participate in the MAD DADS movement through some 60 chapters in 17 states.

At the heart of Smith’s hands-on approach is his belief in people. As he said in an interview with the Twin Cities Daily Planet last summer, “Don’t stop believing in yourself. When you stop believing in yourself you lose out on everything.”
Which explains his adoption of The Way to Happiness. The book’s epilogue expresses it simply: “There is no person alive who cannot make a new beginning.”
Smith learned about The Way to Happiness from members of the Church of Scientology of Twin Cities who helped organize the “Wall of Pain” and work with MAD DADS on drug education and prevention.
“We greatly admire the work of V.J. Smith and MAD DADS,” says Nancy Schumacher, Director of Public Affairs for the Church of Scientology of Twin Cities. “MAD DADS is making our neighborhoods safe. Their commitment to the families of Minneapolis is unparalleled.”
The Way to Happiness was written in 1981 by author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. Immensely popular since its first publication, more than 100 million copies in 109 languages have been distributed in 205 countries and territories.
The Church of Scientology and its members are proud to share the tools for happier living contained in The Way to Happiness with all who also have the goal of a better world. For more information, visit http://www.Scientology.org/the-way-to-happiness.html.
Scientology: How We Help—The Way to Happiness, Creating a World of Honesty, Trust & Self-Respect is one of a series of brochures presented by the Church of Scientology International to meet requests for more information about the Scientology religion and its support of global humanitarian initiatives and social betterment programs
Press Contact: Karin Pouw
Phone: (323) 960-3500
Email: mediarelations@ChurchofScientology.net
Church of Scientology International
6331 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 1200
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Phone: 1-323-960-3500
Tags:
