Stories: Damon, A Family Advocate Volunteer

*Names of children have been changed to protect their privacy.

Walking alongside a single parent family has benefited out family more than we ever thought; it’s been an amazing journey. What started as wanting to come alongside a young man has turned in to a lifelong friendship of families. God used this to let me know you can make a difference; after 6 years of being together, it’s made a difference in all our lives. I’ve helped Grant (the teenage son of a single mom) realize there are people out there he can trust.
 
The blessings of being an advocate to a family will be surprising; you don’t have any idea what’s going to come of it. It’s not about doing the big things, but the little things, like basketball or a trip to Home Depot. We did things together as families so I wasn’t taking time away from my child, but could still spend quality time with these guys. Don’t exclude your family, include them. As far as the time required, and I know it seems we don't have enough time, the more we did things as a group, as families, the better. It doesn’t take a lot of time; bring your own kids. It’s the little stuff, the day in day out, that makes a difference.
 
I grew up in that Ozzie and Harriet family; I was fortunate to have a dad who taught me the day in day out stuff of life lessons, working together seven days a week on the family ranch. We are missing so much of that today, and in the situation of single parents it is compounded. It’s the little things, showing boys how to open the door for ladies, how to treat a lady, how to behave, the example we are supposed to set out there.