“I love Camden, and Camden loves me,” he shared in 2018 on Stephen Danley’s blog, a professor at Rutgers–Camden University. This is evident in his community involvement since adolescence: he has always been active in local organizations, from the Salvation Army Kroc Center to the San Juan Bautista Parade, as well as the District Council Collaborative Board of Camden and the Puerto Rican organization, Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha (APM) among others.
“I have a purpose, which is to create change and empower people every day.”
But if there is something Félix loves more than his hometown—or even becoming its mayor—it is his daughter.
She is at the center of his world, and as a father, he feels truly blessed.
“For me, being a dad is the greatest blessing, as it allows me to provide a quality of life, I did not have growing up.”
So far, the story of this proud Puerto Rican might resemble that of many fathers who love their children deeply. But in his case, there is something that makes it even more remarkable: due to life circumstances, Félix faced fatherhood on his own.
“For me, being a single father brings many additional challenges. Until recently, I faced significant financial pressure, along with the constant feeling that I wasn’t doing enough as a parent.”
Not only that—being a single father has also meant putting his greatest dream on hold.
“I have postponed my dream of holding public office as mayor of my hometown, although I have not given up on it completely.”
For Félix, values come before dreams, and he needs this time to instill them in his daughter.
All his sacrifices fade when he sees her and witnesses “the sense of security she shows, knowing I will never leave her alone; the unconditional love she gives me; and the happiness she radiates when surrounded by family and friends.”
Félix acknowledges that “dreams can come true—but not always in the way you imagined.”
Fatherhood has helped him grow. “Being a father has taught me that it’s okay for a man to be sensitive. Growing up, that was considered unacceptable—especially for the men in my family.”
Even after long and exhausting workdays, his fatigue does not stop him from spending time with his daughter and supporting her in the activities she enjoys.
“My daughter loves to dance, so I enrolled her in classes, and she has excelled in both salsa and bachata. Seeing the expression in her eyes is the most rewarding moment of my life.”
To balance his responsibilities, Félix has had to step away from civic boards and committees to focus primarily on his daughter.
He also reminds other parents in similar situations that they don’t have to do it alone:
“Please build a support network or community that helps you and allows you to take time for yourself, which is essential. Parenting is challenging; it’s important to find time to release stress and disconnect from high levels of overstimulation.”
Every day—especially when things get difficult—Félix reminds himself “of the blessing of having a daughter, considering that there are people who cannot have children.”
Fatherhood has also given him the opportunity to do things differently from how they were done for him.
“What stays with me the most is that my father was absent due to repeated incarcerations, and from a very young age I promised myself that I would always be there for my daughter.”
And he has kept that promise.
Happy Father’s Day! Beyond the gifts, this day honors fatherhood and recognizes the effort, love, dedication, and essential role of fathers, grandfathers, and father figures in families and society.
It was, in fact, a grateful daughter who created this holiday in the United States to honor her father, a war veteran who raised her and her five siblings alone after their mother’s passing.
Let us take this opportunity to reflect on the importance of responsible fatherhood and the value of dedicating quality time that strengthens the bond between parents and children.
