On Father’s Day, contributor Charles Blow shares insights on the challenges of growing up without a paternal figure. He reflects on the absence many boys feel when their fathers are not present.

Blow recounts his personal experience. His parents separated when he was five years old. His father was largely absent due to alcoholism, occasionally appearing late at night after drinking. Despite this, Blow considers himself fortunate as various male figures, such as grandfathers, uncles, neighbors, and coaches, filled the gap his father left. They provided essential guidance and role models for him.

Blow wishes for all boys in similar situations to have a community of supportive men. This desire led him to highlight Son of a Saint. Based in New Orleans, the organization steps in for boys who have lost their fathers to death or imprisonment. Founded in 2011 by Bivian “Sonny” Lee III, whose father played for the New Orleans Saints and died when Sonny was just three, Son of a Saint aims to change the lives of boys and young men who face the same challenges Lee did.

Blow visited Son of a Saint’s headquarters in the Bayou St. John neighborhood. The building acts as a community center for the boys. It offers various programs such as classes and meetings. Boys particularly enjoy the cooking classes. The organization provides mentors and case teams for each boy. They address needs ranging from academic support to emotional well-being.

During the visit, Blow observed a wellness class. Boys learned about mental health in a supportive environment, free from judgment or restrictive masculine stereotypes. Blow spoke with 16-year-old twins, Michael and Robert, who joined Son of a Saint three years ago after losing their father. They expressed enthusiasm for the summer camps in the Northeast funded by the organization.

Blow asked the boys how they celebrated Father’s Day. Many said they spent the day with their mentors, the men who stepped in when their fathers could not. The program plays a crucial role in these boys’ lives.

For more information on the organization and Charles Blow’s work, you can check Son of a Saint and Charles M. Blow on Substack.