Being a father has made me a better person
Through a partnership with Pondville Correctional Center, men developed the skills, reflection, and commitment to show up differently for their children and families.
“Being a father has made me a better person, taught me values, commitment, and what it means to be a team. Being able to be healthy and watch my family grow is a blessing. So now I know what I missed out on from my father, but I thank him and hold no ill will, because I also know how not to treat my family, to move on, and to continue to learn and grow with them.”
Graduate from the Nurturing Fathers program at Pondville Correctional Center
In 2024, the Children’s Trust partnered with Pondville Correctional Center to offer the Nurturing Fathers Program, a 13-week, strength-based parenting group that helps fathers build and strengthen positive parenting attitudes and behaviors. Each week, participants develop effective skills for healthy family relationships and child development. Father involvement is associated with improved cognitive development, social skills, independence, and academic achievement in children. Children with involved dads tend to have higher self-esteem, better peer relationships, and more prosocial behaviors. But it’s not just children who benefit. Fathers themselves experience better health outcomes, greater income, and higher life satisfaction when they are active participants in parenting.
At the end of the cohort, Pondville held a graduation ceremony for the 9 men who completed the program. The ceremony provided an opportunity for the fathers to share with their families their aspirations for the kind of father they want to be. Families were invited to attend the ceremony at the correctional facility.
“The father and grandfather I choose to be is the biggest cheerleader I can be to my kids. And most importantly love them all the same, no matter what.”
Graduate from the Nurturing Fathers program at Pondville Correctional Center
“This program has helped me to be a father who learns to listen, and listens to learn.”
Graduate from the Nurturing Fathers program at Pondville Correctional Center
About the 30 for 30 Fatherhood Series
This story is part of 30 Stories for 30 Years, marking 30 years of the Children’s Trust Fatherhood Initiative. The series highlights how professionals and organizations across Massachusetts support father involvement, healthy co-parenting, and stronger parenting partnerships as part of upstream prevention.
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