Boyz to Men

Boyz to Men is a program to help produce real change within young men. The circumstances and daily environment that many of our nation’s youth experience is heartbreaking. Our program provides opportunities of fellowship and growth by taking young men aged 12 – 15 out for a variety of different activities. Our mentors use these fun gatherings and outings to create bonds and a safe place for those who need it the most. Our mentoring approach gives boys a variety of positive male role models who show up consistently to share truth about struggles as men, support them when they mess up, and encourage them to become the men they want to be. We are dedicated to providing an opportunity to every boy in need.

Boyz to Men Schedule

Fatherless boys are FOUR times more likely to need help for emotional or behavioral problems.

Boyz to Men provides a community where young men see that their peers are facing similar challenges, and they are NOT ALONE in their struggles. Our mentors provide support to those who need to feel listened to. Through the generosity of donors like you, Boyz to Men can be an opportunity for young men who need more positive role models in their life.

43% of urban teens live away from their father, and 42% of fathers fail to see their children after divorce.

Boyz to Men gatherings combine things like leadership opportunities, peer mentoring, and self-esteem building. All meetings are facilitated by one or more Boyz to Men mentors and supported by volunteer mentors that model integrity, accountability, compassion, and respect. Our community of mentors are here to listen, encourage, and empower these young men to be the best they can be.

Whether a boy’s father died, abandoned him, or is just emotionally unavailable, a teenage boy beginning his journey to manhood with no man to guide him will likely lose his way.

Once the reality that one must figure out manhood alone sets in, his hope is replaced with despair and his innocence soon turns to anger. Our hope is to lessen the hurt and confusion in their lives and to provide a sense of not being so alone in this world. We are here to remind them that they are not alone and that they capable of greater things. We will do our best to reassure them that they can make it out successfully on the other side.

-85% of youths in prisons grew up in a fatherless home.
-71% of high school dropouts come from fatherless homes.
-80% of rapists with displaced anger come from fatherless homes.
-63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes.
-90% of homeless children are from fatherless homes.
-85% of children with behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes.
-90% of adolescent repeat arsonists come from fatherless homes.

Boyz to Men believes that through providing a structured, loving and nurturing environment combined with education, mentoring and awareness our young men will be better prepared to avoid the pitfalls and temptations associated with growing up in a fatherless home.

Many children turn to gangs, drugs, alcohol, stealing, cutting, and pornography to fill gaps and pains of loneliness. The average age of first drug use is 13, and the first alcohol use is 12.

Not only are the founders of Strands of Compassion, Randy and Rhonda Cummins, TBRI certified practitioners, but they also train all their staff and volunteers to incorporate TBRI strategies and practices into their daily interactions with these young men. Our goal is to do all we can to meet these youth where they are at and to show them love that they are missing so that they may overcome the daily pain that they are facing.