Manhood Training Program Overview

Our Manhood Training module is designed to guide young men in understanding and embracing personal growth, accountability, and purpose. Through engaging discussions, handouts, and real-world application, participants will explore the values and responsibilities that define mature manhood.

1. Self-Discipline

• Definition: Understanding self-discipline as the ability to control one’s emotions, behaviors, and desires in the face of external demands.

• Focus Areas:

  • Making conscious, positive decisions

  • Developing awareness of personal triggers and consequences

• Activities:

  • Interactive handout on real-life scenarios

  • Group discussion on setting goals and staying focused

2. Family Responsibility

• Definition: The role and duty a man plays in providing emotional, financial, and moral support to his family.

• Focus Areas:

  • Understanding leadership within the family unit

  • Emphasizing consistency, protection, and love

• Activities:

  • Handout outlining key responsibilities and role models

  • Group discussion on how family dynamics shape identity

3. Money Management

• Definition: The process of budgeting, saving, and spending wisely to build financial stability.

• Focus Areas:

  • Creating and maintaining a simple budget

  • Building a resume and understanding income vs. expenses

• Activities:

  • Resume building worksheet

  • Budget planning handout and discussion on long-term goals

4. Brotherly Love

• Definition: A commitment to supporting and uplifting other men in the community with respect and unity.

• Focus Areas:

  • Understanding the history and lasting effects of the Willy Lynch letter

  • Exploring the concept of Willy Lynch Syndrome—division, distrust, and generational trauma among Black men

• Activities:

  • Handout on the origins and implications of the Willy Lynch narrative

  • Group discussion on healing, unity, and redefining manhood through love and respect Fine dining Etiquette, Finances, cyberbullying, and more!

Culture Series

Our Culture Series is designed to help young people explore identity, values, and community through the lenses of education, history, respect, and tradition. Each session includes thought-provoking discussions, multimedia learning, and interactive handouts to deepen understanding and connection.

1. College Review

• Overview:
  Helps participants explore higher education options while considering their personal goals and values.

• Topics Covered:

  • Types of colleges (community, technical, HBCUs, universities)

  • Is college the right path for you?

  • Degree vs. non-degree career tracks

• Activity:

  • Group discussion and decision-making scenarios

2. History

• Overview:
  Engages students with culturally relevant historical content to help them understand their roots and social context.

• Topics Covered:

  • “Before Busing” – a lecture overview by Dr. Zebulon Miletsky

  • Screening of Malcolm X by Spike Lee

• Activity:

  • Facilitated discussion on racial identity, resistance, and empowerment

3. Respecting Women

• Overview:
  Teaches participants how to build healthy, respectful relationships with women in all areas of life.

• Topics Covered:

  • What respect looks like in action

  • Gender equality and mutual appreciation

  • 10 Ways to Respect Women

• Activity:

  • Handout, reflection exercise, and group discussion

4. Honoring Our Elders

• Overview:
  Encourages youth to appreciate the wisdom and sacrifices of older generations.

• Topics Covered:

  • Why elders matter in our communities

  • How to learn from and show gratitude to elders

  • 5 Ways to Honor Our Elders

• Activity:

  • Reflection: “Who is your favorite elder, and why?”

  • Handout and group discussionCulture

College Review - Types of colleges, is college for you? Degree or not degree, discussion.

History - Overview of Before Busing by Dr, Zebulon Miletsky Movie: Malcolm X by Spike Lee, discussion.

Respecting Women - How to respect women, 10 ways to respect women, handout, discussion.

Honoring Our Elders - Why is it important to honor our elders? Five ways to honor our elders, who is your favorite elderly person and why, handout, discussion.

Mental Health Support

Our Mental Health Support services are rooted in compassion, empowerment, and individualized care. We believe that mental wellness is foundational to personal development and long-term success. Through targeted support and professional guidance, we help participants take control of their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

1. Person-Centered Care Plans

• Overview:
  Upon request, participants are connected with licensed mental health professionals who work alongside them to develop personalized care plans.

• Focus Areas:

  • Identifying individual needs and goals

  • Creating actionable steps for emotional and mental well-being

  • Accessing ongoing support and crisis intervention when needed

2. Health & Wellness

• Overview:
  We assist participants in establishing health-focused goals that promote balance and self-care across all aspects of their lives.

• Focus Areas:

  • Stress and anxiety management

  • Weight management and fitness motivation

  • Improved sleep and energy levels

  • Nutritional awareness and holistic health habits

  • Building a sustainable self-care routinemental Health Support

Person Centered Care Plans- Per request, constituent’s will be paired with a mental health professional who will help them identify what their needs are and how to go about achieving them.

Health & Wellness- We support participants with setting health goals such as stress management, weight loss, increased vitality, and other self-care related topics.

Community Awareness

Our Community Awareness workshops help participants reflect on their role in the world around them. By exploring values like involvement, leadership, support, and unity, youth are encouraged to become active, positive contributors to their neighborhoods and beyond.

Each session includes interactive handouts, thought-provoking discussions, and opportunities for personal reflection.

1. Involvement

• Objective:
  Help participants evaluate their current impact—positive or negative—within their community.

• Discussion Prompts:

  • Are you positively or negatively involved in your community?

  • Identify two positive community servants in your neighborhood. What makes them stand out?

• Activity:

  • Handout + group conversation on making a difference, big or small

2. Leadership

• Objective:
  Teach youth the true meaning of leadership and inspire them to lead by example.

• Key Points:

  • Definition of leadership

  • Five characteristics of a good leader (e.g., integrity, courage, empathy, vision, responsibility)

• Activity:

  • Leadership traits worksheet + discussion on how youth can lead in their own way

3. Support

• Objective:
  Encourage awareness of the give-and-take relationship between individuals and their communities.

• Discussion Prompts:

  • What does community support mean to you?

  • Do you feel supported by your community? (How/Why?)

  • Do you support others in your community? In what ways?

• Activity:

  • Handout exercise + partner or group sharing

4. Unity

• Objective:
  Promote understanding of the power of togetherness and the consequences of division.

• Discussion Prompts:

  • Define unity

  • Give three real-life examples when you experienced unity

  • What is the opposite of unity?

  • Do you believe in unity? Why or why not?

• Activity:

  • Reflective writing + open circle discussionCommunity awareness

Involvement -  Are you positively or negatively involved in your community? Identify two positive community servants in your neighborhood, handout, discussion.

Leadership - Define leadership, five characteristics of a leader, handout, discussion.

Support -  Define community support, do you feel supported by your community? (how/why), do you support people in your community?, handout, discussion.

Unity - Define unity, give three examples of when you experienced unity, what is the opposite of unity, do you believe in unity? (why/why not), handout, discussion.

After School Program

Young people thrive when they have a safe, supportive environment to grow. Our After School Program is designed to be a safe haven—a structured space where youth can develop academically, emotionally, and socially.

We offer a comprehensive set of activities that foster personal growth, academic success, and lifelong skills, all within a nurturing and affirming community.

Program Highlights:

• Peer Homework Assistance
  Students work collaboratively and learn from one another in a supportive, peer-led setting.

• Tutoring
  One-on-one and small group sessions provide personalized academic support in key subject areas.

• GED Prep
  For those seeking their high school equivalency, we offer guided instruction and test preparation.

• College Prep
  Participants receive help with applications, essays, financial aid, and understanding the college process.

• Quiet Time
  A designated period for independent study, mindfulness, or simply winding down after the school day.

• Literacy Development
  Activities designed to strengthen reading comprehension, vocabulary, and a love for books.

• Writing Activities
  Creative and practical writing exercises to improve communication skills and self-expression.after school program

Young people need a safe haven that will offer a comprehensive set of activities that will foster their personal development growth. Some of the activities include:

• Peer Homework Assistance

• Tutoring

• GED Prep

• College Prep

• Quiet Time

• Literacy Development

• Writing Activities

How to Be a Young Lady

This empowering workshop series is designed to guide girls, tweens, teens, and young adult women through the journey of discovering who they are, building confidence, and embracing their value in the world. Through age-appropriate discussions, engaging activities, and affirming mentorship, participants learn to carry themselves with grace, purpose, and pride.

Self-Esteem Building & Maintenance

• Overview:
  Participants are equipped with the tools to develop and maintain a healthy self-image, strong self-worth, and a deep appreciation for who they are—inside and out.

• Focus Areas:

  • Understanding what self-esteem is and why it matters

  • Learning to define themselves beyond outside opinions or societal pressure

  • Setting boundaries and practicing positive self-talk

  • Identifying strengths, talents, and personal values

  • Cultivating self-love, inner confidence, and resilience

• Activities May Include:

  • Journaling exercises and reflection prompts

  • Group conversations and storytelling

  • Vision boards and affirmations

  • Role-playing scenarios for real-life confidence buildingSelf-Esteem Building & Maintenance - Girls, Tweens, Teens, & Young Adults learn how to define themselves by learning necessary tools for the building of a lasting self-esteem, self-worth, and overall appreciation for themselves.

Restorative Justice

Our Restorative Justice programming provides young people with an opportunity to heal, reflect, and grow. We focus on acknowledging harm, fostering accountability, and rebuilding trust—within individuals, families, and communities.

What Is Restorative Justice & Why Is It Important?

Restorative Justice is a practice that encourages individuals to take responsibility for the impact of their actions, rather than focusing solely on punishment.
In our workshops, participants are guided through the process of understanding the harm they may have caused—not just to victims, but also to their own families and communities. By acknowledging this harm, they begin the journey toward reconciliation and personal growth.

Trauma, Forgiveness, & Accountability

Before healing can occur, we help participants identify and address the trauma they may have experienced in their own lives. Many come to recognize that “hurt people hurt people”, and begin to understand the cycles of pain and violence that restorative practices aim to break.

Participants are supported in:

• Exploring personal trauma in a safe and supportive space

• Understanding the emotional and social consequences of their actions

• Learning to forgive—both themselves and others

• Embracing accountability as a key step toward healing and transformation

This work is essential. It doesn't just aim to reduce recidivism—it builds empathy, restores dignity, and empowers youth to become agents of positive change in their communities.restorative justice

What is Restorative Justice & Why is it Important? - Our restorative justice workshops help young people to acknowledge the part they played in an offense and the harm that they may have caused to their families, the victim’s families, as well as the community.

Trauma, Forgiveness, & Accountability - Young people are engaged in programming that assists them with being able to recognize the importance of restoration. First, we address the trauma a participant may have experienced in their own life. In order to help them understand how hurt people often hurt others. For the purpose of learning to forgive (themselves & others), while accepting accountability for their actions.

Relationship Building

Healthy relationships—whether personal, professional, or communal—are built on trust, communication, and self-awareness. This session encourages participants to reflect on how they show up in their relationships and offers practical tools for strengthening those bonds.

Key Concepts:

• Accepting Constructive Criticism:
  Sometimes, preserving a relationship means being open to feedback—even when it’s uncomfortable.

• Offering Help Without Being Asked:
  Taking initiative shows care and attentiveness, helping to deepen connection and trust.

• Give Constantly, Receive Occasionally:
  Strong relationships are not based on keeping score but on genuine acts of support and service.

• Be Sincere:
  Authenticity builds bonds. Value the people in your life and the things they say.

• Listen More Than You Speak:
  Listening is a powerful tool for understanding, resolving conflict, and showing respect.

• Know When to Stop Talking:
  Sometimes silence speaks louder than words—pause to reflect, and let others be heard.

Activity Ideas:

• Reflection prompts

• Group discussion or journaling

• Role-play scenarios focused on communication and active listening

Manhood Influences

This session opens up dialogue around the people, images, and life experiences that shape our understanding of manhood. It encourages young men to critically examine those influences and define masculinity on their own terms—with integrity, responsibility, and purpose.

Discussion Questions:

1. Who are some of the men that shape the way we look at manhood?
   (Family members, celebrities, mentors, historical figures, etc.)

2. What are some of their behaviors?
   (Both positive and negative examples—strength, resilience, emotional control, aggression, leadership, etc.)

3. How have they affected us as men?
   (How we see ourselves, how we treat others, how we handle pressure, etc.)

4. What does manhood mean to you?
   (Define it in your own words—values, responsibilities, actions)

Activity Ideas:

• Vision board: “The Man I Want to Be”

• Group reflection circle

• Write a letter to a male role model (past or present)Relationship building

Sometimes we have to be willing to accept criticism to save a relationship, offering to help without being asked is a good tool to use in relationship building. Give constantly and receive occasionally, be sincere, value the people in your relationships and what they say. We should listen more than we speak and know when to stop talking.

• Manhood influences

• Who are some of the men that shape the way we look at manhood?

• What are some of their behaviors?

• How have they affected us as men?

• What does manhood mean to you?