Boys to Men Mentoring Network

15 years ago, 22 teenage boys attended the first San Diego Boys to Men weekend.  An evaluation consultant developed this survey to evaluate the long-term effect Boys to Men (BTM) had on these young men, now ages 23-30. 

"I have become both a husband and father, and learned how to be both responsible and accountable for my own actions. All this started with my first BTM weekend."

77% say they were more prepared to deal with their own anger issues, and were able to build stronger relationships because of BTM.

"Just because my dad was not there for me does not mean that I have to suffer for it. I am going to be a better man than he is."

85% said they gained respect for both themselves and others, and still live by that belief.

"I learned how to forgive people and how to be a better person. I want to be a nice man."

92% say they were more compassionate, and began to consider the feelings of others more, thanks to BTM.

"Boys to Men taught all of us about our options in life, and how to deal with our emotions. It was great having someone there for me."

100% believe Boys to Men helped them become better men.

"I still hold on to the things I learned so many years ago. BTM helped me keep the important values of life in focus. I have a big heart and live a healthy lifestyle."

A Mother's Story

"WOW. I am not sure what you did, but my son (James) came back a different person. His anger was gone and I could see peace in his eyes. He did not say much, he didn't have to. I cried tears of joy andhope as he told me about the weekend. I forgot what joy and hope felt like. Theonly tears I have cried in the past five years were despair. I know we havea long way to go, but I now feel that we have a much clearer path. THANK YOU!Thank you for giving me my son back"---Lori

Our Boys: Willie

Willie was eleven years old when he came to the Boys to Men weekend. His home life was violent and abusive. He suffered from physical and mental abuse for years. He seemed to be headed for disaster. He was in deep need of someone to listen, accept, and admire him.

His Own Words

Boys to Men has greatly effected my life in more ways that I could put on paper. Starting off at eleven years old feeling like I had no purpose, spending everyday filled with self hatred and misguided anger was hard because I was a lonely kid. At twelve years old I began digging my owngrave literally in the canyon behind my house because I felt no one loved me. The people who did love me didn't matter because I lacked love from my mother which was where I wanted it from the most. I ran away from all the help and guidance offered to me. But by luck Boys To Men intervening was the catalyst for a change in my life so dramatic my whole being was altered. They kept pursuing me because they saw what I could not .... my true potential. Under the cold shell that I presented they saw "Magician"and "Warrior" energy that I didn't even know existed. I began seeing people in their process of emotional growth and I was amazed. I feel like now after all of the trainings that I have staffed I can look a kid in eyes who is hurting and in need of some love and I can offer them my love, experience,and wisdom. I would tell that child that

"I know you are hurting and that is okay but you don't have to be strong anymore because I am here for you." I would relay the exact message that Boys to Men gave to me.

When he first came to BTM Willie would have been considered an incorrigible juvenile delinquent by many. Through his hard work in Boys toMen, he found new self-esteem and discovered his greatness. He has made positive changes in his life and now has lofty goals and ambitions.He is a shining example of how boys at risk can prosper and thrive if we give them the support they need and deserve.