Nathanial Slater Sr., a member of the Fatherhood with PEACE program, submitted an original poem about fatherhood. His poem offers a personal reflection on the importance of fathers and the role they play in shaping strong families and communities.
The Dad That Never Quits
I’m the dad that never quits,
Even when life knocks me down.
Even when the weight is heavy,
I refuse to stay on the ground.
I’ve walked through pain and broken places,
Fought battles nobody could see.
But my children are my reason,
And my purpose lives inside of me.
Some days are hard, some nights are long,
And doubt tries to steal my peace.
But I lean on God for strength and hope,
And trust that His grace won’t cease.
I don’t just survive—I strive to grow,
To break old cycles and lead with love.
Building legacy brick by brick,
With faith in the Father above.
I show up when it’s inconvenient,
I stay when others walk away.
Because presence is power, and love is action,
And my children need me every day.
I’m not perfect, but I’m persistent.
I’m still learning, still becoming, still true.
Through discipline, accountability, and grace,
I’m creating something brand new.
So when the world asks, “How do you do it?”
I simply smile and say,
“I pray, I fight, and I keep showing up—
Because fathers don’t quit on their children.”
I’m the dad that never quits.
Not because I’m stronger than everyone else,
But because love gave me purpose,
And purpose gave me strength.
Forgotten Dads’ Voices
Turning pain into purpose. Breaking cycles. Building legacy. One day, one dad, one generation at a time.
-Nathanial Slater Sr.
