Navigating Fatherhood

NavigatingFatherhood works with incarcerated Westchester County fathers to help them self-discover positive ways to navigate fatherhood and the world around them. Utilizing a trauma-informed model, small evidence-based workshop sessions, support groups, individual counseling and mentoring sessions, NavigatingFatherhood’s mission is to empower responsible fatherhood by helping these men become better parents, providers, and individuals.

That’s because when fathers are incarcerated, their children suffer. Without a father at home, children lose much of the emotional and financial support they need to develop into healthy adults.

NavigatingFatherhood is a voluntary program provided at no charge to men, ages 16 to 24, who are incarcerated in the Westchester County Department of Corrections.

The program offers these men the opportunity to make a new start in their transition back into the community, and encourages fathers to support their children emotionally and financially.

NavigatingFatherhood provides free services at the Westchester County Department of Corrections. Upon a Navigator’s (father’s) release from jail, he will gain access to services in the community in the Yonkers or Mount Vernon FSW office.

After an initial assessment, participants in NavigatingFatherhood will complete:

Navigating Fatherhood teaches young men to put their incarceration behind them and move on to living purposeful lives.

EXPEDITION 1: Prepare for Re-Entry

The fathers attend a 10-week culturally sensitive course of workshops which explores:

  • developing personal values for themselves and their children
  • experiencing manhood
  • healthy child development
  • communication
  • discipline techniques
  • conflict resolution skills
  • time and money management
  • goal setting
  • non-custodial father’s rights and responsibilities
  • working both within a group and individually with a licensed social worker and community mentor to develop their own personal plan and learning how to set goals and objectives to begin charting a new course for their lives
  • Receive referrals to other services (such as mental health or chemical dependency counseling) as needed

EXPEDITION 2: Re-Integration

When released into the community, Navigators will access free services which include:

  • Employment readiness workshops
  • Guest speakers
  • Referrals
  • Financial stability training
  • Individual and group mentoring

EXPEDITION 3: Community/Family Engagement

When released into the community, Navigators will access free services which include:

  • Field excursions with the family
  • Support group “real talk” sessions
NavigatingFatherhood helps young men make the journey from behind bars back to their families and communities to live connected, responsible lives.

Who is eligible?

Incarcerated fathers, ages 16 to 24 years old, who live in Yonkers or Mount Vernon and are within six months of their release date.

Program benefits

  • Incentives
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Certificate of Perfect Attendance
  • Referrals to services
  • Referrals to vocational and educational programs
  • Exposure to guest speakers
  • Field excursions (some with children and family)


To become a Navigating Fatherhood mentor, click here to fill out an online application.

Contact Information:

Claire N. Hurst, LMSW, Program Director
(914) 964-6767, Ext. 132
churst@fsw.org