When Dads Feel Invited, They Show Up

A simple shift at the Cambridge Center for Families led to Cambridge Dads, a citywide effort showing what happens when fathers are clearly invited in.

The Cambridge Center for Families, a Children’s Trust family center, created a program for dads and kids at the gym on Saturdays that resulted in a 150% increase in dad engagement in their programming. They realized that dads wanted to be involved but that it was mostly moms signing up for programs and dads just weren’t getting the message that they were invited, too. That “ah ha” moment led the Center for Families to create a program dedicated to dads and with the Children’s Trust’s Fatherhood Initiative as its backbone, Cambridge Dads was born. 

The Center for Families partnered with the Agenda for Children to hire staff dedicated to supporting Cambridge Dads. The program became a space for dads to play with their kids without fear of judgement and to ask questions, learn about child development, and discuss the joys and challenges of parenting with other dads. Whether it’s the annual Fatherhood Buzz event where barbers from across the city donate their time to create a free barbershop for dads and kids at the Center or the text message campaign that sends dads valuable parenting information and advice, dads need to understand and be a part of their child’s development just as much as moms do. 

The goal of Cambridge Dads is to elevate the role of fatherhood, not just at the Center for Families but across the city and within Cambridge’s families. Dads need to know that they are important, valued co-parents to their children. The research is clear that children with highly engaged father figures fare better in life, earning better grades and building stronger, more resilient households for their own children. 

What might have looked like a simple bike ride during the pandemic in 2020 was nothing but. Early in the pandemic, Cambridge Dads, with the help of so many generous sponsors and partners, organized a safe, socially distanced bike ride for dads and their kids. To the kids and their dads participating, the activity was a moment of normalcy in a confusing and scary time. That simple bike ride through the street of Cambridge helped dads and their kids form bonds and memories that will last a lifetime. 

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.