“Being a dad is the best job in the world, and supporting fathers and creating a strong foundation has been a top goal of Mayor Adams,” said DYCD Commissioner Howard. “As the dad of two young adults, Maya and Tyler, one of my proudest accomplishments has been working with the Mayor to double the reach of the Fatherhood program, and giving dads a bigger seat at the table when it comes to co-parenting and creating healthier families. Congratulations to our nonprofit partners who join DYCD’s network with the launch of their new Fatherhood programs. We look forward to working together to make this the most father- and family-friendly city in the world.”
“Having recently lost my own father, this work carries a profound personal meaning for me. The NYC Children’s Cabinet is deeply committed to supporting children and families by fostering a holistic approach, breaking down silos, and improving coordination across agencies,” said Ahsia Badi, executive director, NYC Children’s Cabinet. “The Fatherhood Initiative is about more than parenting classes or visitation coaching; it is about giving every child the foundation of care, stability, and love they deserve. My father’s influence shaped who I am today, and I know firsthand how powerful that bond can be for a child’s future.”
“Fatherhood plays a critical role in the stability of families and the future of our communities,” said Dr. Charles J. Gibbs, president, Metropolitan College of New York. “As a father, I know that education does more than open doors to careers. It strengthens the bond between fathers and their children. Education creates stability and growth, allowing men to better provide for their families and to be present in meaningful ways. This initiative creates added support and opportunity for students to pursue education as a true road to success. Just as important, it reflects Metropolitan College of New York’s deep dedication to the Bronx, where our campus stands as a hub for learning, leadership, and community engagement. This IS Purpose-Centered Education.”
Programming from new and existing Fatherhood Initiative providers includes eight required activities: Orientation, Parenting Skills Training, Supervised Visitation Coaching, Case Management, Community Projects, Support Groups, Family Events, and Workshops. Programs will offer four service tier options to serve and customize services for fathers with varying levels of child visitation, co-parent engagement, court/agency orders, skills, and needs.
DYCD has overseen the Fatherhood Initiative for over 20 years, supporting an average of more than 1,000 fathers and families annually. The program is informed by proven studies that show children with involved fathers are less likely to enter the criminal justice system. Studies also show an active and nurturing style of fathering is associated with improved verbal skills for infants, greater patience for toddlers, and better intellectual functioning and academic achievement among adolescents. The Fatherhood Initiative offers dads and their children up to six months of case management — with follow-up services as needed for up to one year — and service plans that address the following core areas: parenting skills development, effective co-parenting with the child’s guardian, employment, education, child support, and child visitation and placement. DYCD also partners with other city agency fatherhood efforts, and coordinates annual Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Dads Take Your Child to School Day events.
“Brooklyn Community Services believes families and communities thrive when parents have the support and resources they need to be present and actively engaged in their children’s lives. We are proud to partner with DYCD as a provider of the Fatherhood Initiative. We appreciate this administration’s continued investment in expanding the program, allowing us to reach more fathers with vital resources, including parenting skills training, coaching, and support, to help them raise successful children and build strong, resilient families,” said Jodi Querbach, interim co-executive director, Brooklyn Community Services.
“Claremont Neighborhood Centers, Inc. (CNC) is proud to announce a new partnership with the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) to launch the F.A.T.H.E.R.S. Program (Fathering Approaches That Has Empathy, Realism & Substance). This DYCD-funded initiative is designed to empower fathers and father figures with the tools, support, and community connections needed to strengthen families and foster positive engagement in their children’s lives. Together, CNC and DYCD are investing in the power of fatherhood to build stronger families and a stronger Bronx community,” said Abraham Jones, executive director, Claremont Neighborhood Centers, Inc.
“By strengthening father engagement and expanding parenting support, we’re ensuring that more children in our city have the opportunity to grow up with the love, guidance, and stability that caring fathers provide,” said Danielle Ellman, CEO, Commonpoint. “We’re grateful for the leadership and continued partnership of DYCD in recognizing the need to invest in not just our communities, but our families, and we look forward to the meaningful programs and opportunities that this initiative will create.”
“Community Mediation Services is proud to partner with DYCD in this bold expansion of the Fatherhood Initiative. For over 40 years, CMS has strengthened NYC families through conflict resolution and community-based support. This investment ensures fathers facing employment, co-parenting, or reunification barriers receive the skills and advocacy needed to rebuild healthy relationships with their children and reclaim their role as engaged supportive parents,” said John Harrison, CEO, Community Mediation Services.
“We are proud to be a part of the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development’s (DYCD) Fatherhood Initiative. This initiative will strengthen our already robust Strong Fathers program, supporting fathers in Queens. Together, we are building a city where fathers are empowered to be active, nurturing, and responsible strengthening families and communities for generations to come,” said Lorraine Stephens, executive director, Forestdale.
“At Living Redemption Community Development Corporation, our mission is saving lives and healing communities one relationship at a time. We believe fathers represent the apex of manhood — when they are connected to their children, to their purpose, and to a community that believes in them, families are restored and neighborhoods begin to heal. Partnering with DYCD in this bold expansion of the Fatherhood Initiative allows us to address one of the root causes of poverty, incarceration, and many of the challenges that plague our communities. This is more than a programmatic effort; it is a strategic and redemptive movement with the power to break cycles, restore hope, and shift the trajectory of generations,” said Rev. Maurice Winley, founder and CEO, Living Redemption Community Development Corporation.
“The New York Foundling welcomes New York City’s expansion of the Fatherhood Initiative. We believe fathers who are involved and supportive of their children strengthen families and their local communities. This investment will enable us to provide meaningful support to as many as 350 fathers in the Bronx and Staten Island over the next three years. At The Foundling, we work to meet fathers where they are, whether that is reconnecting with their children or working toward greater economic stability; we support their journey in enhancing their parenting skills. There is no question that this city funding is key to strengthening children’s emotional, social, and economic futures,” said Melanie Hartzog, president and CEO, The New York Foundling.
“Real Dads Network is honored to join DYCD’s expanded Fatherhood Initiative. This partnership allows us to continue empowering fathers and strengthening families across New York City,” said Derek Phillips, founder and CEO, Real Dads Network.
“We are excited to receive these awards to give fatherhood at Rising Ground the resources and partnerships to continue our passionate work to service fathers. Our goal moving forward is to connect fathers to strengthen families. Through hard work and proven leadership, we will make sure fathers have a voice and are pillars to the community,” said Paul Martin, vice-president, Rising Ground.
“The Fatherhood Program is a vital resource that helps strengthen families and communities across New York City,” said Suzette Gordon, president and CEO, SCO Family of Services. “We are honored to continue our partnership with DYCD and expand the reach of this impactful initiative, which equips fathers with the tools and support they need to build strong, nurturing relationships with their children.”
“United Activities Unlimited is honored to continue partnering with DYCD through the Fatherhood Initiative. We know from experience that when fathers are empowered, families and communities are strengthened. This historic expansion will allow us to deepen our work and ensure that more fathers have the tools and support they need to play an active role in their children’s lives. When fathers thrive, children and families thrive. We thank Mayor Adams and Commissioner Howard for their leadership and commitment to New York City’s fathers,” said Steven Matteo, executive director, United Activities Unlimited.
“For 20 years, Montefiore Einstein has been dedicated to helping Bronx families grow stronger —starting with our Supporting Healthy Relationships program and, since 2021, through HERO Dads. We’re thrilled to receive the DYCD Fatherhood grant for the first time, which will help us reach even more Bronx fathers and create spaces where they can connect, grow, and tap into their inner H.E.R.O.—healthy, empowered, resilient, and open,” said Scott Wetzler, PhD, vice-president of Population Health, Montefiore.
“Youth Justice Network knows that present and involved fathers help to break cycles of incarceration, and we have directly seen the transformative impact that investing in fathers has across New York City. As a DYCD Fatherhood Initiative partner since the very beginning, we have welcomed thousands of fathers through our doors — and seen them leave as proud, committed dads, role models, and pillars of strength and hope within their families and communities. We are grateful to DYCD Commissioner Keith Howard today for announcing the expansion of the Fatherhood Initiative. This investment will build stronger families, safer communities, and brighter futures for generations to come,” said Christine Pahigian, executive director, Youth Justice Network.
In June, 2025, the administration unveiled “Empowering Fathers, Thriving Children: A Citywide Fatherhood Plan.” The fatherhood plan is a framework outlining how New York City will strengthen father and father-figure engagement, expand parenting support, and ensure every child benefits from the presence of a caring dad or father figure in their lives, including by obtaining educational and vocational training, supportive programs for fathers involved in the criminal legal system, mentorship, and more.
Today’s announcement builds on the work the Adams administration has done to make New York City the best place to raise a family. Earlier this year, Mayor Adams also announced a historic and new commitment to create and fund “After-School for All,” so all public students from kindergarten through eighth grade can have a safe place to learn and participate in activities after school. Mayor Adams has committed to funding universal after-school up to $755 million in the next three school years. This includes 5,000 new seats made available to students this month, with an additional 15,000 seats expected for students in the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years.
To locate a Fatherhood program, visit discoverDYCD or call DYCD Community Connect at 1-800-246-4646.
New contract awardees:
Bronx
The New York Foundling
University Behavioral Associates
Samuel Field YM & YWHA Inc. (Commonpoint)
Youth Justice Network Inc.
Clarmont Neighborhood Centers Inc.
Metropolitan College of New York
Brooklyn
Youth Justice Network Inc.
Brooklyn Bureau of Community Services
Rising Ground Inc.
SCO Family of Services
Manhattan
Living Redemption Community Development Corporation
Real Dads Network
Rising Ground Inc.
Queens
Forestdale Inc.
Community Mediation Services Inc.
Staten Island
United Activities Unlimited Inc.
The New York Foundling
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