Fathers’ UpLift was founded in 2011 by husband-and-wife team Charles Daniels, Jr. and Samantha Fils-Daniels. After their own lived experiences in both their personal lives and their professional lives in the field of social work, Charles and Samantha were well-aware that there was an incredible lack of resources, guidance, and mental health focus for fathers and men, especially in minority communities. As a product of fatherlessness himself, Charles frequently wondered, “If my father had had the right resources and support, would things have been different?”. Samantha, whose father had been involved in her childhood, was able to bring a perspective to the table of what healthy fatherhood could look like and accomplish for children, families, and the fathers themselves.

Between their shared experiences, Charles and Samantha set out to create an organization that would support fathers and help them to overcome emotional, physical, and mental obstacles, which might limit them from becoming fully involved in their children’s lives. Their signature Father’s Homecoming program provides wrap-around mental health and support services for low-income men experiencing reentry following incarceration. They first make connections with fathers 6 months prior to their release so that they are equipt to provide resources and a supportive community on day one of their release. Fathes’ UpLift’s results have been impressive, with an average recidivism rate of 4% for men participating in the program after one year, which is nearly 90% lower than the state average.