Gabe Fonseca , M.S., has been a fatherhood practitioner for over three years.  He has worked in the fatherhood field as a case manager, group facilitator, and program administrator.  Mr. Fonseca is the Program Manager of the Fatherhood Initiative Program and Families First Program at Madonna Place.   His professional experiences include general laborer, community organizer, researcher, social service worker and administrator. He was born and raised in Northwest Ohio and moved to New England in 2003.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Siena Heights University and a Master’s of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from University of Rhode Island.

David Hevey, BSW, previous resident of Burlington, VT where he obtained a degree from the University of Vermont.  During this time he worked as a case manager for adults with developmental disabilities.  Mr. Hevey relocated to Connecticut last year and has been employed as a case manager/fatherhood educator for the Madonna Place Fatherhood Initiative of Norwich, CT since February 2007.  He provides advocacy for fathers and co-facilitates a childcare class entitled Dr. Dad in partnership with Backus Hospital of Norwich. 

Scott Swartz, BGS, University of CT, Avery Point.  Mr. Swartz is the Program Associate Manager, a case manager and group facilitator for the Fatherhood Initiative at Madonna Place in Norwich, CT.   His background of working with emotionally and behaviorally challenged children has enabled him to witness first hand the impact that fathers have on their children.  He provides advocacy for fathers and co-facilitates a parenting class with the 24/7 Dad curriculum.  Mr. Swartz also coordinates the Fatherhood Initiative within a substance abuse program in partnership with Southeastern Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.  Mr. Swartz is married and the father of two amazing daughters.

Rebecca Santana, B.A., Eastern CT State University. Mrs. Santana is a bilingual  case manager for the Fatherhood Initiative Program with a diverse background in the social services field. Past experience included providing intensive home-based services in Parent Aid, Intensive Family Preservation and case management programs. Mrs. Santana enjoys advocating for and empowering individuals to encourage strong, healthy families. Currently, Mrs. Santana co-facilitates a parenting class with the 24/7 Dad curriculum as well as a “Building Healthy Relationships” class.

Patrick Sheehan-Gaumer is a Case Manager/Group Facilitator in the Fatherhood Initiative Program.  He has been a social worker in a number of fields and has experience working with children in foster care and adults with psychological disabilities.  He has also been active with a number of social justice and youth empowerment movements over the last 15 years.  Currently, Patrick co-facilitates our Dr. Dad group at Backus Hospital in Norwich, CT.  This group teaches dads basic skills to care for their new born and children up to age five.  Patrick also facilitates 24/7 Dad in New London, CT for fathers dedicated to substance abuse recovery and is working on a collaboration with Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut, the Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut, and the Norwich DCF office on ways to support families with a history of domestic violence.  He has a B.A. in Peace and Global Studies from Earlham College in Richmond, IN.