Wholistic Service: Books, Curricula, and Manuals

At Inspira, we believe every story deserves to be told, especially those that inspire, empower, and uplift. We are proud to shine a spotlight on one of our remarkable authors, Marvin Charles, his groundbreaking journey with Divine Alternative for Dads Services (D.A.D.S.), and how Inspira has helped spread his vision.

Back in 2016, Inspira had the privilege of helping Charles write his two-part memoir: Becoming DADS: A Mission to Restore Absent Fathers. In the first half, Marvin combines his own heart-wrenching reality with vital information that graphically portrays the problem of fatherlessness in our society. The great thing about memoirs is that they don’t just have to be your personal story, but can also show the pathways of building a mission and bringing it to fruition. Charles uses his story as a powerful catalyst for his message about reversing the effects of father absence and the creation of D.A.D.S., a non-profit organization that is leading a movement to eradicate the epidemic of fatherlessness in America. 

Marvin wanted to write a book that would impact readers “from park bench to Park Avenue.” He wanted to reach people who were in the trenches with this issue in their everyday lives. But he also wanted to reach those who—by virtue of their position or privilege—needed their eyes opened to the root causes of the problems and the systemic injustices that perpetuate them. 

Speaking about the impact of his memoir, Marvin said, “A book lends credibility to what you do, and that’s been a new experience for me. It’s been huge. It’s opened doors to go and speak to men in many different venues. I can leave them all with a book that tells my story.”

As D.A.D.S. grew, our collaboration didn’t stop! Recognizing the need for comprehensive resources for other organizations that want to join the mission of reconnecting children with their fathers, Inspira assisted in the development of the Becoming DADS Innovative Fatherhood Curriculum. The course is designed to educate and empower men in challenging situations to take the needed responsibility and action so their children can thrive and be successful for the next generation. We also helped Marvin, along with his wife, Jeanett, write and publish the Doing DADS Intake and Support Manual. This manual is a valued resource for nonprofit organizations with information and advice for establishing a nonprofit that serves fathers and their children: getting started, how to build a team, and setting up office and client services.

Now, eight years after his first memoir, Inspira is again working with Charles to develop a second biographical account that tells the rest of the story. This will help raise consciousness about fatherlessness and identify the continued challenges and solutions of fatherhood. This process will include updating the first book with more recent statistics and stories, as well as cross-referencing all the D.A.D.S. books, seamlessly tying all the publications together in a way that allows others to benefit from and replicate its model. 

Marvin's partnership with Inspira exemplifies the holistic approach we take in supporting our authors. We understand that storytelling extends beyond the pages of a book; it encompasses the creation of manuals, guides, and curricula that drive meaningful change and impact.

Inspira is committed to helping authors like Marvin Charles not only tell their stories but also equip them with the resources they need to make a difference in the world. From idea inception to book publication, from manual creation to curriculum development, we are with our authors every step of the way.

Let us also celebrate the power of storytelling to inspire, educate, and transform lives. Thank you, Marvin Charles, for entrusting us with your story and for inspiring us all with your dedication to supporting fathers through Divine Alternative for Dads Services.