Meeting the Moment: Supporting Haitian Fathers in Transition

When a former correctional facility in Norfolk was transformed into a temporary shelter for refugee families, no one could have predicted how quickly and meaningfully a fatherhood support program would take shape there.

During a visit to the site, now known as the Norfolk Temporary Respite Center, an associate commissioner from the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) noticed a large number fathers at the shelter with their partners and children. Upon further inquiry, the associate commissioner learned that nearly 80% of the families staying at the shelter were Haitian immigrant families, many of which included both mothers and fathers.

This moment of observation sparked action.

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. The program was facilitated by Sorel Bertrand, a skilled group leader from the Family Nurturing Center who has years of experience supporting fathers from diverse backgrounds. Heading Home, Inc., the organization managing the shelter, also played an essential role in welcoming the program and helping it take root in a transitional and sometimes uncertain setting.

At the Children’s Trust, we believe that strong communities help build thriving families. When we invest in fathers, especially during moments of transition and challenge, we help lay the foundation for long-term resilience, healthy child development, and positive family outcomes.