In 2013, Dontae founded Parents United for Successful Homes (P.U.S.H.) after recognizing a deep systemic failure within the juvenile justice system: families were too often excluded from decisions that would permanently impact their children’s futures. When Dontae’s son Jr. got in trouble with the law and was placed on probation, he was order to participate in rehabilitation services such as the Community Healing Initiative (CHI).  When Jr. began to lose interest in the meetings Dontae Sr. started attending with him as a volunteer, hoping to encourage his son to stay engaged. Eventually Dontae was hired as a Parent Advocate who facilitated groups and mentored gang involved or  justice impacted families.  Within this scope of work Dontae attended Alternative Placement Committee (APC) meetings at Juvenile Detention to support parents in navigating justice system  processes. 

At a time when detention placements and safety plans were determined without meaningful parent or youth input, Dontae challenged the status quo. He believed sustainable outcomes require partnership — not punishment — and that families must be central to shaping decisions that affect them.

P.U.S.H. was created to shift power back to families.

Annette Majekodunmi, Dontae’s case manager at the time asked Dontae “what do you think parents need?” and Dontae’s response was “A seat at the table”. 

Dontae developed the vision for a model that centered family voice, accountability, cultural responsiveness, and long-term success. In bringing that vision to life, he worked closely with Annette, and  consultant, Sam Ashby,  the key collaborators to build out the structure and strategy of the initiative. When the time came to polish the plan, Dr. Joy DeGruy assisted the team in putting together the curriculum.  Together, Dontae, Sam and Annette translated the vision into action — creating presentation materials, drafting the foundational framework, and shaping the program model that would later influence system practice. The trio presented the vision to Multnomah County Judges, district attorneys, lawyers and other government officials with the help of Joe McFerrin II (President & CEO POIC) and Brian Detman a leader in Multnomah County Juvenile Service Division. 

Through P.U.S.H., parents and youth were not only invited into conversations — they were positioned as decision-making partners. The initiative established a framework that strengthened collaboration between families and system stakeholders while advocating for outcomes that supported stability, safety, and long-term success.

More than a decade later, P.U.S.H. continues to influence practice and is referenced in the Parent Handbook for Justice-Involved Youth, demonstrating its sustained impact on family engagement within the justice system.

Under Dontae’s leadership, P.U.S.H. built strategic partnerships across systems, including:

• • Department of Community Justice

• • Juvenile Services Division

• • Latino Network

• • Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office

• • Local Public Safety Coordinating Council

These collaborations helped bridge institutional systems and community voice — creating more equitable pathways for justice-involved youth and their families.

Dontae’s leadership reflects LDYC’s commitment to empowering youth, strengthening families, and transforming systems from the inside out. His work demonstrates that when community vision is paired with strategic collaboration, lasting structural change is possible.

Acronym P.U.S.H, Parents United For Successful Home , and logo created by D. Mathis

In 2015 Dontae received an award from POIC for his determination and commitment to community change.