Honoring Charles Henry “Paw Paw” Douglas

The Charles Henry Center is proudly named in honor of our President’s grandfather, Charles Henry Douglas—a man who was the definition of a cornerstone in his family and his community.

Growing up in Rutherford County, North Carolina, my grandparents owned three daycare centers. My grandfather wore many hats within those centers. He was the van driver, the contractor, the on-call staff, and whatever else was needed on any given day. But the title he wore most proudly was simply “Paw Paw.”

My siblings, cousins, and I were blessed to have such an incredible grandfather that eventually, everybody else wanted to call him Paw Paw too.

For years, we shared our grandfather with our community. Yet somehow, he still made sure that each of his 10 grandchildren felt individually seen, supported, and loved. We all learned different things from him, but what stayed with me most was how to show up for people.

Paw Paw showed up for us in ways I’ll always be grateful for. He was at the school plays, sporting events, Grandparents’ Days, and countless other moments that mattered to us. And he didn’t only show up for his own grandchildren. We watched him show up for other children too—speaking life into them, encouraging them, and sometimes fussing at them in that special way that somehow taught discipline and love at the same time.

That legacy is at the heart of The Charles Henry Center.

My goal is to build an organization that honors God while also honoring the life and example of my grandfather. We want to show up for every person entrusted to our care—to make sure they feel seen, valued, supported, and cared for as an individual.

We hope to become a meaningful part of their story: a place and a group of people who made an impact on their lives that they can carry with them long after their time with us has ended.

That is what Charles Henry Douglas taught me.