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Fatherhood Legal Advice

Cathy M. Middleton, Esq. Empowering Fathers with Legal Support and Knowledge

At Fatherhood Matters, we understand how difficult it can be for fathers to get reliable legal advice—especially when facing issues like child support, child services, or family court. Many fathers lose their cases simply because they cannot afford a lawyer or don’t know where to turn for help. That’s why we created a space where fathers can receive trusted legal guidance without the high cost. Through our group meetings, we provide.

  •  Family Law
  •  Child Support
  •  Family Court
  •  Divorce Court
  •  Criminal Court
  •  Immigration

Our Services

Cathy M. Middleton, Esq. is a twenty plus year veteran matrimonial and family law attorney and has successfully litigated more than a thousand paternity, child support, custody, visitation, orders of protection cases and complex divorce matters. Her client list includes professional athletes, musical artists and everyday men and women who seek top-notch legal representation. Middleton is a leading national expert in the areas of upward modifications and downward modifications of child support orders as well as child support arrears cases. She has worked closely with state and federal offices of child support enforcement in resolving some of the most complex child support arrears problems to come before the family court system. Cathy Middleton’s extensive knowledge and legal skills have made her a well sought after matrimonial attorney both in the New York City area and throughout the country. She is also a popular legal commentator for a host of nationally syndicated radio and television shows where she educates people about their legal rights and imparts onto them the tools they need to solve their own family law problems.

Through our group meetings, we provide: Free Legal Advice: We invite experienced legal professionals to speak directly with fathers, offering guidance on how to navigate the family court system. Real-Life Education: Kathy Milton, a dedicated advocate, shares her personal experience and teaches fathers how to prepare for court, protect their rights, and fight for their children. Supportive Group Setting: Our meetings are open, informative, and welcoming. Fathers can ask questions, take notes, and even get referrals if they need to hire a lawyer. We believe no father should go to court unprepared. Our goal is to ensure every father has the knowledge and support needed to be confident, informed, and empowered in court and beyond.


Cathy M. Middleton, Esq. As Seen Or Heard On

ABC 7 WBLS HOT 97 Power 105.1 K104




Fatherhood Child Services Advice

Sandra Graydon-Long, MSW Retired Former Assistant Commissioner Division of Child Protection

I am currently retired from the Administration for Children’s Services where I was employed for 34 years in different positions. I have a Masters degree in Social Work, certification as a Life Coach, SIFFI Instructor,and certified in Caring For God’s People .

  •  Counseling
  •  Coaching
  •  Speaking
  •  Facilitating
  •  Mentoring
  •  Advocating

Our Services

In my role as Assistant Commissioner I was able to mandate the staff to work with the Fatherhood Program if those fathers were involved in child welfare and also to provide wrap around services for those fathers. As Deputy Director of child safety conferences, my position was to ensure that the fathers and paternal side was represented at those safety conferences for the children. In the past as it pertains to child welfare we have often neglected the paternal side, focusing on the maternal side. However; my expectations were that the fathers were informed, invited and participated in child safety conferences regarding the well-being of their children. I was part of the initiation of the Fatherhood Resource Fair which has continued over 12 years.

The services that I offer include speaking on panels to support fatherhood programs, provide guidance and directions as it pertains to dealing with child welfare, the court system, child support as well as the criminal justice system. I also provide counseling with fathers around their mental health issues. I have witnessed the positive results of my involvement and services that I have provided to the fathers who yearned to be better dads and leaders.




NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board

Jahi Rose - Director of Public Engagement and Partnerships

Jahi Rose was born in Jamaica, NY and raised in East New York, Brooklyn. At the age of 21 he decided to return to Southside Queens to attend York College and began contributing towards the betterment of the community.

  •  Public education
  •  Conflict resolution regarding Police encounters
  •  Support services for any person who files a complaint

Our Services

Using his school as a networking hub, he worked alongside various student and community leaders to advocate for safer streets, police accountability, and improved quality of life. In 2010, Jahi was hired as a Regional Coordinator for the New York State Senate Majority Conference and a year later began serving as the Director of Constituent Affairs for the 28th Council District in Queens. Following his employment with the New York City Council, he was hired by the NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB). Jahi currently serves as their Director of Public Engagement and Partnerships; he is responsible for ensuring that public education about the CCRB’s mission and services are provided to New Yorkers citywide.The CCRB's Outreach Team engages parents about the process of filing complaints about police misconduct and understanding New York City's official form of police oversight. Additionally, the CCRB educates the public about the Right to Know Act and navigating police encounters.

The CCRB also provides support services for individuals who have an active complaint with our agency. We understand that fathers play a large part in the conversation about helping young people to navigate their environment, we believe that police encounters are a part of that discussion. Our agency makes an intentional effort to engage fathers about the CCRB's involvement in police accountability, this helps fathers to in part on to their young people how to maneuver police encounters and empowers them to file the necessary complaints to ensure that there is accountability.







Certified Financial Planner™

Sunny N. Atkinson is a Certified Financial Planner™

Sunny N. Atkinson is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Founder and CEO of TEAM Financial Planning and Teach Everyone About Money, LLC. After years of working in financial services and seeing first-hand the effects the economy can have on everyday people’s lives, Sunny created an online community to educate people to take control of their money and started her Investment Advisory firm to help individuals build and maintain wealth and businesses to support their finance operations.

  •  Credit - Budgeting
  •  Savings & Retirement
  •  Investing
  •  Buying a Home
  •  Estate Planning

About and Service Offerings

Teach Everyone About Money, LLC is a personal finance education company. We offer online personal finance courses, virtual or in-person financial workshops and seminars. Each course is designed to empower you to make better financial and life decisions. Our courses include the most up-to-date information on personal finance topics, new consumer regulation and economic data. The premise behind Teach Everyone About Money, LLC is simple:

there’s too much information out there and too little time in the day to read, and understand it all. We delve into the facts about credit, banking, insurance, retirement, changes in government and consumer regulations, and more, to extract what you need to know. We are here to educate and help you live the best stress-free financial life possible. Our mission is to educate you to understand and take control of your money.

Collaborating with Fatherhood Matters

At Teach Everyone About Money, LLC, we believe financial empowerment is a critical part of helping fathers step confidently into their roles as providers, leaders, and role models. That’s why our partnership with Fatherhood Matters is so meaningful.

Through a series of both in-person and virtual seminars, we provide fathers with accessible, judgment-free education on personal finance, including topics like budgeting, credit, saving and retirement, investing, and estate planning.

Our goal is to remove the fear and shame around money and replace it with clarity, confidence, and control. We empower fathers with the knowledge and support they need to make better financial decisions for themselves and their children—not just today, but for the long term.

In short, Teach Everyone About Money helps fathers become better dads by helping them gain control of one of the most stressful areas of their lives - their finances. And in doing so, we support the mission of Fatherhood Matters—strengthening families, one father at a time.







Mental Health Counselor

Ingrid Berihuete, LMHC

Hello, my name is Ingrid Berihuete, LMHC. I am a bilingual licensed mental health counselor. I have over 5 years practicing mental health therapy and counseling. My professional experience consists of over 8 years working in social services. My experience spans working closely with child protective services and the court system. I worked as a social worker in general prevention at United Activities Unlimited. I am a trauma informed therapist. I have been working with the community for over 4 years at Project Hospitality Wellness Center as a therapist. I am a trauma informed therapist. I provide a safe and culturally sensitive space. I utilize evidence-based practices to help clients with their mental health.

  •   Trauma therapy (CPT)
  •   Social Services (Advocacy)
  •   Spiritual Counseling
  •   Individual therapy

My Bio/Info:

Hello, my name is Ingrid Berihuete, LMHC. I am a bilingual licensed mental health counselor. I have over 5 years practicing mental health therapy and counseling. My professional experience consists of over 8 years working in social services. My experience spans working closely with child protective services and the court system. I worked as a social worker in general prevention at United Activities Unlimited.

I am a trauma informed therapist. I have been working with the community for over 4 years at Project Hospitality Wellness Center as a therapist. I am a trauma informed therapist. I provide a safe and culturally sensitive space. I utilize evidence-based practices to help clients with their mental health. When needed and at client’s request, I can merge biblical principles with evidence-based interventions.

My role at Fatherhood: Fatherhood Therapy Consultant:

My work with Fatherhood Matters began as a community-based counselor (Intern). I worked one on one with the participants by providing individual counseling. My experience in social services and child welfare allowed me to support the fathers in their process.

I return to fatherhood fully licensed to provide services with “If I could” program pilot. I not only bring my clinical expertise, but I also bring my professional experience. I am passionate about building strong families. I will provide a safe space for the participants of fatherhood. I am honored to be able to continue to work with Fatherhood Matters.







Legal Advice

Elina Lecour Attorney

Elina Lecour is a highly motivated, attentive attorney with decades of litigation experience in New York and New Jersey.

Ms. Lecour graduated from St. John's University Cum Laude and received her Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School. She is admitted to practice law in New York, New Jersey and the United States District Courts of the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.

  •  Personal Injury
  •  Business Contracts/Sales
  •  Land disputes
  •  Housing

My Bio

Ms. Lecour accredits her success to the support and strong foundation of her family. Her father, a Cuban immigrant, rose through the ranks of the NYPD, retiring as a Lieutenant and instilling in her as he did so, a passion for justice. Her mother, born in Puerto Rico, raised three children while simultaneously obtaining her Master Degree in childhood education.

Retiring after twenty years of teaching in New York and Florida, she again recreated herself and is now the ordained minister of Unity of Roanoke in Roanoke, Virginia. Ms. Lecour continues to raise three children and in doing so, strives to ensure the desire for wisdom, integrity and justice instilled in her by her parents, will continue to thrive in her children.


Services

Civil litigation in Housing, Civil, and Supreme Court in 5 boroughs of NYC, Legal Advice in areas or practice – landlord/tenant disputes, personal injury, business contracts/sales, land disputes







Fatherhood Therapy Advice

Jane Allyson-Kuhn, LCSW

Hello, my name is Jane Allyson-Kuhn, LCSW. I’ve dedicated many years to the field of mental health, working with children, adults, couples, and families through life’s toughest moments. My experience spans working closely with Child Protective Services and the court system, which has deepened my understanding of trauma, family dynamics, and resilience.

  •  Children Behavior
  •  Marriage Counseling
  •  Emotions Therapy
  •  Abuse Therapy
  •  Divorce Therapy
  •  Anger Management

Our Services

I bring not only clinical expertise, but also real-life experience that allows me to connect with people in a way that feels safe, respectful, and empowering. My work with Fatherhood Matters is especially close to my heart. I believe fathers play a powerful role in shaping healthy families, and I’m passionate about helping men navigate parenting challenges—whether it’s understanding children who lash out, building stronger co-parenting relationships, or managing the emotional complexities of blended families and new relationships.

Everyone needs a safe place to process, grow, and heal—and therapy offers just that. I'm honored to walk alongside my clients as they build emotional awareness, develop better communication, and create positive change in their lives. Being part of this mission with Fatherhood Matters allows me to expand my reach and offer tools that truly make a difference. If you're ready to take the next step toward growth and healing, I’d be honored to support you on that journey..








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