The Origin Story of Eric Fenwick:
From Survival to Service
When Eric Fenwick moved from the quaint streets of Cape May, New Jersey, to Baltimore, Maryland, he carried more than just the excitement of a new chapter. The city would become the backdrop for a dangerous lifestyle that eventually brought him face-to-face with the fragility of life. One pivotal night, a knock on the door changed everything. Eric was ready to answer when a friend stopped him, taking his place instead. The knock turned into a tragedy, as his friend was shot—a moment that would forever alter the trajectory of Eric’s life.
It was the very next day that a phone call came, one that would plant the seeds of his life’s purpose. On the other end of the line was the mother of a friend, Ann Davis, offering him an unexpected opportunity: to work as a case manager for pregnant teenage girls who had experienced sexual and physical abuse. At the time, Eric felt completely unqualified. How could someone with his background, still battling his own demons, step into such a role? But Ms. Ann Davis’s unwavering belief in him struck a chord. She reminded Eric of the light she saw in him, even when he couldn’t see it himself.
Eric accepted the role and quickly discovered a deeper calling. The work was not just a job; it was a mirror to his own struggles and a challenge to rise above them.
Breaking Point and Breakthrough
Eric’s journey would hit a turning point during his time at Florence Crittenton, a group home for teen mothers. The stories he encountered there cut deeply into his spirit.
“Every day, I would go to work and cry. For six months straight, I couldn’t stop crying,” Eric recalls.
The emotional toll felt unbearable—until one day, he heard a voice, one he believes was God’s. It told him, “I didn’t give you this job for you.” That moment reframed everything. Eric began to see his work not as a burden but as a divine assignment. Instead of dwelling in the pain of the children’s stories, he shifted his focus to helping them move beyond their hurt. He became a beacon of hope, showing them how to rewrite their narratives and envision thriving futures.
In an industry largely dominated by women, Eric’s presence became a unique gift. He modeled paternal love, providing an example of care and protection that many of the children had never experienced.
Resilience in the Face of Setbacks
Despite his growing impact, Eric’s journey was not without setbacks. In 2013, he was running group homes for foster children when his eagerness for leadership clashed with organizational dynamics, leading to his termination. What followed was a humbling period of homelessness that stretched over four years.
During that time, Eric leaned deeply into his faith and calling, searching for his next step. A conversation with a good friend provided the spark he needed.
“E, you know the blueprint. You were always part of the plan. You are meant to be a boss, not to work for someone else,” his friend, Zach Dingel, CEO Jumoke Behavioral Services, reminded him.
That encouragement reignited Eric’s drive. Eventually, the two decided to pursue their own ventures, leading Eric to establish Fenwick Behavioral Services.
Building a Legacy of Hope
Today, Fenwick Behavioral Services employs over 100 contractors, serving children and families with a culture rooted in family values. For Eric, this work is an extension of the lessons instilled by his mother, Patricia Ann Matthews.
Growing up without his father—despite his proximity, living just blocks away—Eric often wrestled with anger and rage. His mother, however, never wavered in her belief in him. Supported by a chosen tribe of father figures, siblings, and mentors, Eric learned the transformative power of hope and perseverance.
This ethos defines Fenwick Behavioral Services, where every child is met with unwavering support and the tools to rewrite their story. For Eric, his life’s work is about more than providing services—it’s about giving others the chance to see the light within themselves, just as others once saw in him.
