Dads Evoking Change
Empowering fathers and families by providing the support and resources needed to foster positive parenting and strong family bonds.
What we do
Supporting Fathers & Families
At Dads Evoking Change (DEC), we empower fathers and families by providing the support and resources needed to foster positive parenting and strong family bonds. We are dedicated to creating pathways that enable families to work together for the well-being of their children. We offer free co-parenting therapy, family law consultations, case management, parenting classes, and access to community resources designed to help families reach their goals.
Free Legal Assistance
Free lawyer consultations for fathers navigating the family court system. Get the legal guidance you need to protect your parental rights.
Virtual Co-parenting Counseling
Online co-parenting therapy to help families work together effectively for the well-being of their children.
Community Engagement
Access to parent education, family support services, and community resources freely available for children and families in need.
Our Mission
The mission of Dads Evoking Change is to empower fathers and families by providing comprehensive support and resources that foster positive parenting and strong family bonds. We are dedicated to ensuring that all families have the tools and guidance they need to thrive.
our story
Founded From Love, Driven By Purpose
Dads Evoking Change (DEC) is a father-led nonprofit organization based in Oakland, California, dedicated to empowering fathers and promoting family well-being through legal, co-parenting, and educational services.
Founded in 2018 in response to the systemic barriers many fathers and families face in the family court system, especially those without access to legal support. DEC emerged from a deep understanding of how unsupported parents can be excluded from decisions that affect their children.
Drawing from lived experience, the organization established holistic, community-based services to help fathers and families navigate these challenges with dignity and support. Today, DEC provides free legal consultations, co-parenting counseling, and parenting workshops, all designed to foster family stability, improve outcomes for children, and ensure equitable access to parenting.
Featured Documentary
Reframing The Role Of Black Fatherhood
A powerful film from Dads Evoking Change and Represent Collaborative raises awareness about the challenges Black and Brown fathers face navigating the family court system.
This film is part of Hear My Heart – Oakland Dads Speak, a Dads Evoking Change project that amplifies the voices of fathers fighting for their right to be present in their children’s lives.
our program
Free Legal Assistance
Navigating family court alone is overwhelming, and most fathers are doing it without an attorney in their corner. DEC’s free legal consultation program connects fathers with experienced family law attorneys to get real legal guidance on custody, visitation, child support, and more.
Whether you’re filing paperwork for the first time, responding to a court order, trying to modify an existing arrangement, or just trying to understand what your rights actually are, we’re here to help. No cost. No judgment. Just the support you deserve to show up for your kids.
our program
Virtual Co-parenting Counseling
The goal of co-parenting counseling is to improve parenting relationships by reducing conflict and improving communication, ultimately protecting and improving the overall well-being of the children involved.
We offer free, confidential, virtual counseling on Thursdays between 6-8 PM PT. Each session lasts one hour and is held via Zoom.
- Free, confidential, and held via Zoom
- Thursdays between 6-8 PM PT
- Open to parents sharing a household or living separately
- One session per week per family
Why We Do This Work
Few Reasons We Fight
Addressing Inequality
In the United States of America, a mix of historical, racial and economic inequalities prevents many fathers of color and other low income fathers from fulfilling their paternal roles. Some parents including fathers are unwilling to embrace their parental obligations. However, our attorney social policies should not treat ALL low-income, or fathers of color as deadbeat dads, nor suggest this is the norm or adopt this belief as the default position that should be assumed with respect to helping fathers. Dadsevokingchange provides resources such as education and support services freely for children and families
The Policy Gap
Most policy discussions of fatherhood rights often focus on the question of child support system, but our common policies and practices ignore equally important non-financial factors. For example, policies and practices marginalize the caregiving roles of non-custodial fathers roles by excluding them from key educational and health-related decisions about lives of their children . These policies and practices reinforce the myth that black fathers are not present in their children’s lives when CDC data show that they desire the exact opposite.
Combating Myths
Many studies have been done on the value of shared parenting, programs for fathers and its positive effects on children and families, including emotional stability, academic success and significant reductions in drug use and juvenile delinquency. Although some situations do not make this outcome possible for all children based on factors outside of their control, shared parenting should be California’s starting point for the vast majority of our children lives.
The Value of Shared Parenting
Many studies have been done on the value of shared parenting, programs for fathers and its positive effects on children and families, including:
- Improved emotional stability for children
- Greater academic success
- Significant reductions in drug use
- Lower rates of juvenile delinquency
Shared parenting should be California’s starting point for the vast majority of our children’s lives.
Support Our Mission
Help Us Continue To Provide Free Resources
Your donation helps us provide free legal consultations, co-parenting counseling, and community resources to fathers and families who need them most. Every contribution makes a difference.
Get In Touch
Contact Us
So we can best help you, please answer all the questions below. Tell us how we can assist you.
Dads Evoking Change
Address
5627 Telegraph Ave, #371
Oakland, CA 94609
Phone
833-873-7329
Organization
501(c)(3) Non-Profit
EIN: 83-3068380
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