Paul Melvin

Residing in the Chicago area the majority of his life and living in Springfield for eight years, Paul Melvin has had to overcome a lot of challenges in his life. 

Paul had just been released from prison when he heard about Good Dads for the first time. He said his life “wasn’t looking really good.”

 “I had two counts of first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm,” he said. “I ended up doing almost six years.”

 Paul has four kids. His oldest, Paul, lives in Springfield, but his three other children, Leighlah, Pauline and Paul, are in state custody in Illinois after he was incarcerated. All adoptions are closed adoptions in the state, so it’s been difficult for Paul to establish contact. He’s spent his time attempting to contact different people and agencies. He told Good Dads that one of his biggest current goals is to establish contact with his children.

Paul says he owes a lot of his current life successes to his faith, the Victory Mission restoration program, and to Good Dads.

“Prior to faith, I was in an identity crisis my whole life, trying to identify with the things of the world,” he said. “I was into drug dealing and really dark things. I was saved January 13th of 2024 after coming to Victory Mission, and since then, the Lord has done a mighty work in my life. He’s restored relationships with my family, my son is blessed, my finances; God took me out of bondage of addiction and violence. It’s just been amazing.

 “I have my license for the first time in 19 years, I have my first legal car ever in my name, I have a bank account, I have a credit score, things that a 37-year-old man should have had a long time ago I’ve never had. It’s amazing.”

 After his release from prison, Paul enrolled in New Pathways for Good Dads classes. He did so through Victory Mission, a Springfield ministry aimed at breaking cycles of poverty through home-planning services for men. He immediately knew these classes could be a force for positive change. Paul highlighted the participation aspect as his favorite part of the program.

 “The way that facilitators have participated … The discussion part of it was big for me.”

 When it comes to fatherhood, Paul admitted he’s still learning.

 “I mainly have a friendship relationship with my kids rather than father and child,” he said.

 Even though he was a part of his children’s lives before his incarceration, Paul said he’s spent his life in and out of jail, and right now he’s focused on getting his life together,

 “I’m trying to make up for lost time and be a provider,” he said. “It’s something I’m learning.”

 Most of Paul’s immediate family lives in Chicago, and he describes the physical distance as an ongoing challenge to being the father he wants to be.

 “I have my son Paul here (in Springfield); he’s living with his mother. I do try to meet with him every other week with the counselor in the program. I’ve met with him several times. I talk with my family in Chicago, but I haven’t had contact with them since I’ve been in the program.”

 Like many fathers in the New Pathways program, Paul has experienced obstacles. Trying to contact three of his children after being incarcerated is one of them. However, Good Dads has been an effective resource for him, he said.

“Having connections like Rhonda (Andersen) and (Dr. Baker) helps; they’re always there when you reach out and talk to them,” he said. “They put me in connection with Lutheran Family Services of the Ozarks and one in Illinois. (Good Dads) pointed me in the right direction, I’m just waiting now.

“Daylon Tillman helped me,” he continued, referring to the child support specialist assigned to Southwest Missouri New Pathways participants. “He let me know I didn’t owe child support. I was getting a letter though my parole officer: My wife lives in Missouri now, (and) she had a kid outside of our marriage. The father did not sign the birth certificate. A Criminal case (was) brought up against her, (and) the state of Missouri tried to prosecute me for it. Taking a DNA test, Good Dads was able to help with that and further action was taken.”

 Completing both the Good Dads 2.0 fatherhood skills course and Within My Reach healthy relationships course last year, Paul was among 26 dads to graduate from the New Pathways for Good Dads program on November 3rd, 2024.

 Paul stressed the importance fathers are in the lives of their children, by “being able to show (your kids) the right way.”

 “That’s one thing I’ve failed at for most of my kids’ childhood,” he admitted. “Statistics show that people without fathers in their life are likely to get into a life of crime or unhealthy behavior. When I re-establish contact with my kids, I want to show them the right way.”

 If you’re a father that’s currently struggling, Paul advises to “be open about your problems.”

 “Going through those things alone can be overwhelming, and being open and talking through someone about those problems can help,” he suggested.

As for the future, Paul hopes to reconnect with his children and be a positive role model in their lives using what he’s learned from the New Pathways for Good Dads program.

 “I would recommend the Good Dads program to anybody,” he said.

About the Author