A Des Moines man, Christopher Evans, has been reunited with his daughter, Kaitlynn, after 10 years apart. Evans credits the Evelyn K. Davis Center in Des Moines for helping him change his life and reconnect with his daughter.

A Decade of Separation

Evans had not seen his daughter since she was 13 years old. He had custody of her at the time, but after her mother had a heart attack, Kaitlynn wanted to live with her. Evans threw himself into work as a trucker, hoping to provide for his daughter, but distance and hardship took a toll on their relationship.

Evans eventually fell into harder times, losing his home and living on the streets. However, with the help of the Evelyn K. Davis Center, he was able to turn his life around. The center provided him with support services, including financial education, digital literacy, and a clothing closet.

A Life-Changing Moment

Evans’ computer skills, which he learned at the center, helped him reconnect with his daughter. A photo of him and Kaitlynn from a decade ago, displayed as his Facebook cover photo, helped her find him, and she messaged him in April. The two were initially limited to phone calls and text messages, but earlier this month, they reunited in person for the first time in 10 years.

Evans was able to buy a bus ticket to Nebraska, where his daughter lives, and walk the rest of the way to meet her. He said it was an emotional reunion, and he is grateful to have his daughter back in his life. The Evelyn K. Davis Center also helped Evans by setting up a GoFundMe to help him travel to meet his daughter.

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.