Blog - Boys To Men Mentoring Network

Hope for the Holidays: Boys to Men Mentoring Network Spreads Joy in San Diego

In the heart of San Diego, the holiday season is about to get a whole lot brighter, thanks to Boys to Men Mentoring Network’s (B2M) annual “Hope for the Holidays” campaign. With a mission to bring joy to every boy participating in their life-transforming mentoring circles, B2M is set to make this festive season truly special for San Diego’s youth.Spreading Joy, One Gift at a TimeThe festive formula for “Hope for the Holidays” is simple yet powerful: San Diegans are …

Black History Month

How do we define success? Success is defined by “the correct or desired result of an attempt” and “the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame” (1). These definitions of success are personal and built around goal setting. As we at Boys to Men celebrate Black History Month, we strive to empower and amplify black voices by seeing, learning, and experiencing the world through the eyes of the young black men in our circles. The wisdom and insights …

January is National Mentoring Month

The month of January celebrates the 20th Annual National Mentoring Month, a month-long campaign centered around the importance of mentorship. The campaign celebrates the positive impact mentoring can have on young lives with the goals of raising awareness, recruiting individuals to become mentors, and recruiting organizations to engage in mentoring. Boys to Men Mentoring has shown the effectiveness of mentorship for the past 25 years in San Diego County, across the United States, and all over the world. In San …

Light Our Way 2021 Campaign

We hosted our first Virtual Talent Showcase featuring boys and mentors in April 2021. Jaiden, one of our boys attending groups in North County, submitted an original song offering an intimate glimpse into a young man’s journey through depression and thoughts of suicide. “Spring After Cold Winter” received the People’s Choice Award from an audience of our boys and mentors and provided the theme for the “Light Our Way” campaign sponsored by Advocates for Change Today (ACT), Boys to Men Mentoring, Project AWARE, …

Mentor Chris Rubin Discusses the Virtual Mentoring Program

Pictured above: Volunteer Mentor Chris Rubin 1. When did you first hear about Boys to Men Mentoring (BTM)? I first heard about BTM in 2006, via the CEO of a company I was working for at the time. The annual corporate donation was going to BTM, and I asked him more about it. He told me I should talk to Craig… Then I met Craig and Joe, when I participated in the training experience—Reclaiming Your Teenage Fire weekend—soon thereafter. 2. How long have …

Why Zoom?: An Overview

The safety of the Virtual Mentoring Program for all participating boys and mentors is our top priority. We have instituted several policies and additional security protocols into the curriculum to uphold a level of group confidentiality that makes everyone feel protected in virtual meetings. PRIVATE MEETINGS An NPR article recently exposed the problems that can result from hosting public Zoom meetings. Because of this, we will NEVER host a public virtual group meeting! The opportunity for hackers to enter a …

Boys To Men Mentoring Network Taps Woman As New Executive Director

Nonprofit Commends Rose Courtney’s Leadership Skill Set, Fresh Perspective as Pivotal to Sustained Organizational Growth, Innovation and Relevance. The future of Boys to Men Mentoring Network is in a woman’s hands. Rose Courtney, Director of Operations, took the reins of leadership last month after a unanimous vote by the nonprofit organization’s board of directors. Courtney steps into the role of Executive Director as Boys to Men Co-Founder Craig McClain steps away from the position after serving 23 years as its …

Meet Toma

Toma migrated to the U.S. when he was just seven years old fleeing war in Baghdad, Iraq with his father, mother, brother and 13 other family members. Toma saw his life in the United States as a new opportunity, but fitting in at school was a challenge, and he was often bullied for his size. A good friend of his introduced him to Boys to Men when he was 15-year-old. Toma recalls, “I was at a very vulnerable age where …

Cohn Restaurant Group’s Menus with Meaning Series Continues at Vintana Wine + Dine

The Cohn Restaurant Group‘s Menus with Meaning series invites San Diegans to open their hearts to the spirit of the holidays while enjoying an elegant, fine-dining experience for the benefit of a special cause: Boys to Men Mentoring Network. The San Diego-based nonprofit is dedicated to helping disconnected, often fatherless boys become good men. During the month of November, Vintana Wine + Dine is offering San Diegans the chance to savor a special three-course menu, showcasing the flavors of Chef …

It’s 100 Wave Challenge Season!

The 100 Wave Challenge (www.100wave.org) is the largest annual fundraiser for BOYS TO MEN MENTORING NETWORK Every year, hundreds of surfers pledge to raise a minimum of $1,000 each and attempt to catch 100 waves in one day to help raise money and awareness for the organization. WHAT DOES YOUR CONTRIBUTION SUPPORT? Boys to Men Mentoring is committed to addressing the devastating effects of fatherlessness on a young man’s life. We are creating communities of support, encouragement, and empowerment so …