Marvin Charles‘s story is one of courage and determination. At the age of 43, in a remarkable act of will, he extricated himself from a downward spiral of substance abuse and homelessness to become a passionate, effective community leader.

He committed his life to faith and to the kinds of “good work” that require honesty and hope in the face of hopelessness. In just seven years, Charles moved from his
own state of oppressive despair to a personal mission to help other men and their children cope with the ill-effects of fatherlessness. D.A.D.S. (Divine Alternatives for Dads) was created in 1998 in the Charles’ living room in the Rainier Valley.

D.A.D.S. gives men hope and encourages them to find their own strength and purpose to connect or reconnect with their children. Charles has emerged as a leader in his community creating stronger fathers and healthier families.

Men who go through D.A.D.S. grow to recognize and accept their parental responsibilities. A majority increase the time and support they give their children. As their problems resolve to a more manageable level, some D.A.D.S. graduates get married and create a home for their children. Others become the custodial parent of their child or grandchildren. Charles is an ordained minister. His extraordinary effectiveness comes from his ability to hear the pain behind the angry words and threats of those he counsels. His personal odyssey gives him the voice of authenticity, and neither class nor ethnicity poses an obstacle to his being heard.