What is a Boys2Men Mentoring Group?

Boys2Men mentoring groups are school based groups for 4th and 5th grade boys with the goal of developing leadership and character traits. Men in the community volunteer as mentors providing the valuable resources of presence, words of encouragement, affirmation, and modeling.

“A real man is respectful, empathetic, attentive, loyal, mentally strong, active, and noble. I will strive to be a real man man in all the things I do.”

How do the groups work?

The boys and mentors meet monthly in a one-hour group lunch-and-learn centering on a specific character trait. The luncheon provides time for a check-in conversation, a lunch meal, reviewing a list of positive charter traits, a group presentation by one of the mentors, and then follow up discussion questions. The boys and mentors also meet for one additional 30 minute lunch during the month to build their relationship and help apply what they are learning. The group’s mantra and topic list includes:

R - Respectful 

E - Empathetic

A - Attentive 

L - Loyal

M - Mentally Strong

A - Active

N - Noble

What are the program outcomes?

The boys and men form a mentor and mentee bond which aids in mutual benefit of giving and receiving encouragement and affirmation. Ultimately it provides an environment where leadership and character can be developed with the hope the “boys will become real men” as they grow up in life.