This week marks 10 years since Donnie Davidsen joined Campbell Nissan in Edmonds. He is now a service advisor at the dealership, where he first sought work after periods of jail, addiction and homelessness. Davidsen has been sober for six years, according to KIRO 7 News Seattle. His story now includes not only a job that lasted, but efforts to support others seeking help.
From Car Cleaner to Service Advisor
Davidsen's turnaround began when he crossed paths with a former acquaintance who had landed a job at Campbell Nissan, according to KIRO 7 News Seattle. He applied for a job himself, telling the dealership he was struggling with addiction and legal problems and that he needed someone to take a chance on him. Kurt, who along with Craig operates Campbell Volkswagen and Campbell Nissan, offered Davidsen the job and asked when he could start.
Davidsen began cleaning cars. The dealership later sent him to school to learn vehicle repair; he became a technician before taking on his current service-advisor role, according to the station. During that period, he learned his girlfriend was pregnant. Their son, River, is now nine, and Davidsen says being a father helps motivate him to work each day.
Washington’s Fair Chance Act
Washington’s Fair Chance Act generally bars employers from automatically excluding applicants based on criminal history before determining they are otherwise qualified and extending a conditional offer, according to the Washington State Attorney General’s Office. The guidance also describes circumstances in which employers may make certain decisions based on adult convictions for a legitimate business reason, along with notice and response requirements.
A Chaplain Who Checks In
Bob Sherwood, chaplain for both Campbell Volkswagen and Campbell Nissan, checks in with employees and is available as a resource when they are facing difficulties, KIRO 7 reported. A former pastor, Sherwood sees Davidsen’s experience as a reminder that addiction and recovery can affect people in any line of work.
Chaplain Bob Sherwood says the owners’ passion is to help people as well as sell vehicles. Davidsen, in turn, has sought to help others find opportunities and support, according to the station’s account.
Giving Back to the Organizations That Helped Him
During a period of homelessness, Davidsen received housing from Everett Gospel Mission. He now gives back to the mission and to other organizations that helped him or people facing similar challenges, KIRO 7 reported. The mission provides housing and support for people experiencing homelessness, according to Everett Gospel Mission.
Research backs up the role employment can play in recovery. The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services notes that employment carries health benefits, including increasing the likelihood of successful mental health recovery or substance use disorder rehabilitation. The agency has also tracked how support needs have shifted among single adults experiencing homelessness in the state between 2019 and 2023, as reported by Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.
Homelessness Trends Across Washington
Statewide, homelessness has continued to rise, though the pace of that increase has slowed, according to the Washington State Department of Commerce, citing its 2025 Point-in-Time Count and Snapshot report. The 2025 count reported totals for sheltered and unsheltered homelessness.
The U.S. Department of Labor has pointed to employer partnerships as one avenue for supporting people in recovery, noting that businesses can work with treatment providers, recovery community organizations, recovery residences and social service providers to support new hires and employees returning to work after treatment. Such partnerships can support new hires and employees returning to work after treatment.
A decade after asking Campbell Nissan for an opportunity, Davidsen remains at the dealership as a service advisor. He is still sober and is working to help others access support and second chances.
