Fathers’ UpLift is proud to announce that we are one of 67 nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts to receive funding from the MA Office of Economic Development through the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Program. The state describes this program as, “a competitive grant program that offers flexible operating grants to local collaborations for programming and projects that develop, strengthen, and invest in community economic priorities. The program aims to bring positive economic outcomes to communities that have been adversely impacted by the criminal justice system and poverty.”

In their press release announcing the awarded funds, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll shared, “The Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Program plays a vital role in supporting communities that face significant barriers to economic growth in Massachusetts…[and] will help strengthen our bond with local leaders to safeguard the well-being of all residents.”

Fathers’ UpLift is particularly proud to be one of 33 Minority Business Enterprises to have received funding from this effort. We are grateful for this administration’s focus on investment in the most vulnerable in our communities and attention given to empowering leaders of color, specifically. Father’s UpLift’s co-founders expressed gratitude and amazement. Dr. Charles Daniels, Jr. (CEO & Co-Founder) shared, “We are grateful for the level of support this state has provided to our work over the last several years. It is notable, and we believe the State of Massachusetts is making both conscious effort and thoughtful investment to counter inequities and bolster underprivileged communities in our cities.”

Samantha Fils-Daniels (COO and Co-Founder) added, “Previously, we’ve received support from the MA Dept. Of Public Health and the MA Dept. of Mental Health. Over the last 18 months, we’ve now additionally received support from both the MA Executive Office of Health & Human Services and the MA Office of Economic Development. We are proud to partner with such proactive governance in making sure the needs of minority communities in and around Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, and beyond are met, particularly as pertains to re-entry, recovery, mental health, and familial health.”

Fathers’ UpLift has received an investment of $200,000 for FY24 to support clinical therapy and peer-driven coaching for fathers in re-entry, recovery, and/or re-engagement, with potential for renewal for up to two following years. This funding will be utilized primarily to provide coaching, therapy, and supporting resources (e.g. food, transportation, Bags for Dads, etc.) to the men and families we serve. 

We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration, to our supporting ecosystem that helped us reach the scale of service to competently qualify for opportunities such as these, and for all of those who have invested efforts in our team and leadership to help shape us into a powerful force for mental and community health (particularly for minorities) across the neighborhoods in and around the south of Boston.

For relevant contact or inquiries: George Boakye-Yiadom, Marketing Associate

[email protected]