Dora Gilreath is the communications assistant at Good Dads. She joined the team in 2024 and has Bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in creative writing at Missouri State University. She loves reading, writing and anything related to theater.
Cody Stone
“Statistically, I’m not supposed to be here,” said father of four Cody Stone, who is among the very first graduates from the New Pathways for Good Dads program. “We don’t call it recovery; we call it life. I hold myself accountable every day. Good Dads was a good part of helping me keep on track.”
Good Dads has been serving fathers and their families for over a decade, changing the lives of thousands of Missouri fathers through the New Pathways for Good Dads program. We continue to receive positive updates from these fathers, like Cody. Six years ago, his life looked very different.
“I was addicted to drugs, and my kids weren’t in my life as much as they are now,” Cody said. He admitted he was young and didn’t know much about being a dad. It was while he was receiving drug treatment in Springfield that he learned about Good Dads.
Through the New Pathways program, Cody learned important lessons for fatherhood success.
“Good Dads gives you the tools to stay focused,” he said.
Sometimes, fathers face seemingly insurmountable challenges. Good Dads provides fathers with confidence to promote positive change in their lives. This can include assistance in navigating child support and other financial concerns and providing bonding opportunities for families.
“(Good Dads) helped me with one of my kid’s birthdays,” he said. “Good Dads had their hands in with child support, helped me get on a payment plan and got me focused on getting my life back.”
Cody said that the lessons in money management were the most beneficial, helping him with future financial decisions.
“I never had a good job—or knew how to hold one down,” he admitted. “I went from that to buying a house, owning all my vehicles and paying for kid’s vehicles. I’ve been in the process of starting a business.”
These lessons have empowered Cody to be a dependable father. The kind of dad who attends sports games, encourages school success and teaches his kids financial lessons, such as car insurance payments and tackling first-time jobs.
“(My kids) can depend on me; I’m there for them,” he said.
Cody faced addiction for several years, and everyone handles it differently. He’s found that many struggling with addiction feel numb and find it difficult to cope. His advice for fathers in recovery? Cody says to focus on what kind of legacy you want to leave for your children.
“How are we going to be remembered? Who knows us?” Cody said. “What legacy do you want your children to have?”
Fathers play an important role in the lives of their children. For Cody, this role involves teaching his children how to be good people by leading by example.
“I don’t sugarcoat it with my kids; I tell it exactly how it is,” he said. “You can’t tell your kids if you can’t do it yourself.
“Being an example is every aspect of being a father,” he continued. “Without being that, you can’t be much. I do my best to be the best dad I can possibly be.”
Cody continues to update the Good Dads team with positive changes in his life since graduating from the program. As far as his own personal legacy, he hopes to be remembered as loyal, dependable and a truth-teller.
“They know that I’m giving back,” he said. “Thank God I’m clean and here to help other people.”
