About Us
Serving and engaging fathers and father figures across Harlem and New York City through family-centered, educational, civic, cultural, and social activities.
Fathers Forward, Inc. serves and engages fathers and father figures through social, cultural, civic, educational, and family-centered activities — helping fathers strengthen relationships with their children, families, and communities while connecting them with information, skills, resources, support, and networking opportunities.
Fathers Forward, Inc. seeks to build sustainable partnerships among fathers, father figures, schools, religious organizations, community groups, local businesses, and public and private agencies to strengthen families and communities.
Fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, mentors, and every father figure who is showing up for a child — along with the families and communities around them.
Our History
Fathers Forward, Inc. grew out of grassroots fatherhood engagement in Harlem, where dads, schools, and neighbors worked together to make fathers a visible, welcomed presence in their children's daily lives.
Participation in Dads Take Your Child to School Day and involvement with responsible fatherhood coalition work in New York City helped shape the organization's approach: meet fathers where they already are, and build from there.
In 2017 the organization held its first annual Daddy Daughter Dance — a celebration that has become one of our best-loved traditions. Collaboration with schools and community organizations remains at the center of everything we do.
Why It Matters
When a father or father figure is engaged, children gain a steady source of encouragement, structure, and belonging — and families gain a partner in the work of raising them.
Many fathers want to be present but face real barriers: work schedules, housing, employment, co-parenting challenges, or simply not knowing where to turn. Isolation makes each of those harder.
Fathers Forward, Inc. answers that with relationships — peer support, practical information, and community events where fathers are expected, celebrated, and connected to people who can help.
Community Involvement
Our vision is built on sustainable partnerships among fathers, schools, religious organizations, community groups, local businesses, and public and private agencies. Partner organizations are listed publicly only once each partnership is confirmed.
Volunteer, sponsor a signature event, or partner with us to reach more fathers across New York City.