Doorways Father's Day Card
Father’s Day is always a time when I reflect upon what I value most about my Dad and what I hope my children will value most in me. First and foremost, my father always made me feel safe as a child. In fact, there are still times today when he is able to reassure me in a way that nobody else can. Perhaps this isn’t a novel concept, but certainly something I never took for granted.
Additionally, my father along with my mother taught me the duty that we all have to give back to our communities. Now it is also my responsibility to share these lessons with my two young children so that they can get involved with some of the many important causes that need as many capable arms, legs and minds as they can possibly muster to help those less fortunate get through these extremely difficult times.
However, ever since joining the Board of Doorways in 2004, I now have another perspective on this holiday. I think of the incredibly powerful stories I have heard from many of our clients—fathers and mothers who persevere against incredible odds to keep families together in the face of poverty and homelessness and emerge victorious in their struggle to get back to self-sufficiency. Their stories not only motivate me to continue serving such a worthwhile cause, but inspire me to be a better father.
Happy Father’s Day to all of my fellow Dad’s.
~ Nicholas Evans, Doorways Board President
Tags: Testimonials, Volunteers
Caroline Jones
Nicholas–
This a terrific post. Doorways has enriched me as a parent and my children over the years. We have been inspired by the mothers and fathers who persevere, who change, who keep getting up in the morning. We have been reminded about dignity of those in tough circumstances and all of us are reminded that the homelessness are with us in Arlingon.
More than ten years ago my daughter Sarah (then 4) and I were sorting clothes in the thrift store and a father came in with his two boys. They could not stay at the family shelter — I cannot remember why — but they had a coupon to pick out some clothes from the store. They really looked down on their luck.
Sarah kept quiet tabs on them as they moved through the store. I thought she was just focused on the kids– but later she told her dad and me how kind, tired the dad was and how he stood up straight.
I took Sarah with me so she could help give back. She learned so much more.