Back-to-school season isn’t just about supplies for some New York City families — it’s about dads finding support, building community and helping their kids feel confident heading into the new school year.
The Brooklyn Stroll Club brought families together at a pop-up in Manhattan, where they could shop, sing, dance and take part in activities and giveaways while dads connected over the challenges of fatherhood.
Brooklyn Stroll Club founder Joe Gonzales says fatherhood is learned — and dads need space, too (Image: NBC New York)
“Potty training, behaviors in school, managing work-life balance, everything,” Brandon, who is from New Jersey, said.
The event took place in SoHo, where the back-to-school focus on shoes, clothes and supplies also carried a broader goal: creating a space where fathers feel they don’t have to navigate parenting alone.
“I was not born a father. I have to learn how to be a dad,” Joe Gonzales, founder of the Brooklyn Stroll Club, told NBC New York. “It’s an everyday journey for me. It’s not our partner’s responsibility, it’s our own. So I want to create a safe space for dads.”
(Image: NBC New York)
That support, dads said, can carry over beyond meetups and social events, shaping how they show up at home.
“It’s made me a more patient dad, a more patient husband. I have a group of great dads where I can say, ‘Help me troubleshoot this. What do you think?'” Rene, who is from New York City, said.
“It’s just beautiful how this community has brought all the fathers together to help us out on our journey,” Bradley, who is from Manhattan, added.
Gonzales said what started as dads getting together has grown, with bigger plans for the future.
“We want to go to L.A., Chicago, and not replace those communities, but help empower,” he said. “We want to be the space for dads.”
(Image: NBC New York)
As families shift from late-summer nights to early mornings and school bells, Gonzales said the most important thing kids bring into a new school year doesn’t come in a backpack.
“You can’t control what happens outside your home sometimes, but you can create a space that’s loving, empowering, so that your child knows they have everything they need before they walk out that door,” Gonzales said.
(Image: NBC New York)
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC New York. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC New York journalist edited the article for publication.