Sharing stories, building connections, and showing up for fathers in Mystic, Connecticut
Last week, two members of the NPLI team traveled to Mystic, Connecticut, to attend the 25th Annual New England Fathering Conference (NEFC). This gathering brings together advocates, practitioners, and fathers from across the region to lift up fatherhood leadership and explore what it takes to build stronger families and communities.
A Workshop Rooted in Real Stories
One of the most meaningful moments came during Thursday’s workshop, Pathways to Economic Mobility for Fathers, co-presented by Donna Thompson-Bennett, NPLI’s Executive Director; Melvette Hill, Executive Director of the Connecticut Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity (CWCSEO); and Joshua Vaughn, a Naugatuck Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) graduate, father, parent leader, and entrepreneur.
Josh shared his own journey, mapping out the timeline of his personal and economic growth and crediting PLTI as the spark that helped him move forward. Today, among other things, he does paid consulting work at both the state and national levels. During our workshop, Josh’s story, grounded in lived experience, opened the door to powerful small group discussions about barriers, opportunities, and what real support for fathers looks like.
Listening, Learning, and Building Community
Beyond the workshop, our team attended sessions, listened to powerful storytelling, and connected with attendees who visited our resource table. We shared information about NPLI and PLTI and heard from participants doing meaningful work in their own communities.
From heartfelt exchanges to new partnerships, the conference reminded us that when fathers are supported, entire communities benefit.
Gratitude for Shared Space
Thank you to the organizers, presenters, and every person who stopped by to talk. These spaces matter. They honor the stories that often go untold, lift up fatherhood as leadership, and make room for real connection and care.
We can’t wait to see you all again in Mystic next year!
Keeping the Conversation Going
Want to hear even more about our time together in Mystic? In our latest episode of The Bold and the Brave: A Parent Leader Podcast, co-hosts Melvette Hill y Carlos Maldonado sit down with Josh Vaughn to talk about what made this year’s New England Fathering Conference special, how we can involve more dads in our work, and how small acts of support can lead to big changes. The episode dives deeper into Josh’s journey, lessons learned, and what it means to stretch into leadership.
Watch the episode here
Or listen to the episode here
