Meeting Fathers Where They Are

A cross-sector partnership came together quickly to support Haitian fathers with a culturally relevant, Creole-language program grounded in parenting, connection, and community.

In 2025, an associate commissioner from the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) visiting the Norfolk Temporary Respite Center noticed a large number of fathers at the shelter with their partners and children. He learned that 80% of the shelter’s temporary residents were families from Haiti. 

Through the Massachusetts Fatherhood Collaborative, the associate commissioner reached out to the Family Nurturing Center, a longtime partner of the Children’s Trust, which facilitates fatherhood support groups in multiple languages. Together, they began exploring how to offer a culturally relevant fatherhood group for this newly arrived community. Within weeks, and with funding and support from the Children’s Trust, a Haitian Creole-language fatherhood group series was launched. The team developed a four-week series tailored specifically to meet the needs of fathers in the shelter. 

Each week focused on topics that reflected both the challenges and strengths these fathers carry with them. The sessions included discussions on the differences between Haitian and American parenting cultures, accessing available community resources, managing stress during resettlement, healthy co-parenting communication, and the powerful role of modeling positive behavior for children. The final session of each series welcomed children for a special father-child group, providing a joyful space for connection and bonding.  

This program is a powerful example of what can happen when state agencies, community organizations, and nonprofit partners work together to respond quickly to emerging needs. The Children’s Trust was proud to provide rapid support for this effort, which came together through the coordination and shared vision of the Massachusetts Fatherhood Collaborative.  

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.