A repeat drug offender and gang member, Bruce Mathieu spent the prime of his life in and out of prison. And by his fifth prison sentence, Bruce had become a husband and father.
The turning point came when Bruce’s daughter came by to celebrate her fourth birthday with him. Her birthday wish was simple – to receive a hug from dad – but it was impossible with the glass partition separating them both. The sight of her bursting into tears broke his heart, and convinced him to abandon his destructive habits once and for all so that he could be reunited with his family for good.
Bruce and his daughter were finally able to have their long-awaited hug when Centre for Fathering facilitated a father-child bonding session in prison. That faint memory remains sweet for Bruce. “What I remember most was the precious two hours I got to spend with my daughter. For two hours I got to hold her and carry her.”
Determined to restore happiness to his beloved family, Bruce walked away from his drug addiction, destructive habits, and social circle – and never looked back. “Time and tide waits for no man. Once a father has missed that growing up period with their child, it’s lost forever. The only thing we can do is stop repeating the same mistakes over and over, so that we can do our best to raise and nurture our child.”
Making the most of every moment, Bruce is now an active volunteer, barista and brand ambassador for social enterprise Blessed Collective, “My wish is that all children can have a happy childhood, and for fathers to understand and deliver on the important role they play in their child’s life.”