When Marcus lost his job during the pandemic, everything unraveled fast. Bills piled up, tensions rose at home, and eventually, he found himself sleeping in his car—separated from his kids and unsure of what came next.
He was one of millions of fathers struggling in silence, unsure where to turn. But a simple Google search—”help for fathers in Virginia”—led him to a lifeline: CYEP’s Fatherhood Program.
The Power of Being Heard
“I didn’t know what to expect,” Marcus admitted. “But I walked into that first group session and, for the first time, I wasn’t being judged. I was being heard.”
The Fatherhood Program didn’t just offer job readiness and parenting classes. It offered brotherhood. The weekly peer groups became a safe space for Marcus and other men to talk honestly about co-parenting challenges, financial strain, and personal growth.
He learned communication strategies that transformed his relationship with his kids. He picked up resume tips that helped him land a new job. He started paying child support consistently. But more than that, he started believing in himself again.
Breaking the Cycle
According to recent data, 1 in 4 children in the U.S. live without a father figure at home. Research shows this can increase risks for poverty, behavioral issues, and academic struggles. But programs like CYEP’s flip the script by empowering dads with the tools, confidence, and community they need to be present and engaged.
For Marcus, the impact was immediate. “My daughter told me she was proud of me. That was everything. That’s what keeps me going now.”
A Community Rooted in Support
Today, Marcus is mentoring younger dads in the same program that changed his life. He talks to high school students about responsibility, shows up for weekend volunteer days, and never misses a visitation with his kids.
His journey is one of many success stories growing out of CYEP’s Fatherhood Program — a testament to the fact that when fathers thrive, families do too.
Want to be part of the change? Learn how to support or partner with the Fatherhood Program today.