Boys to Men Mentoring has been selected as one of the 23 local organizations to receive a significant grant from the Prebys Foundation. This grant, totaling $6 million, is part of the foundation’s commitment to supporting the mental and emotional well-being of youth and young adults in San Diego County.
The Prebys Foundation’s investment focuses on preventive care strategies such as garden therapy, summer camp, open mic nights, clinical therapy, and more, with the goal of building a stronger foundation for the future. These efforts address the needs of diverse groups, including youth caregivers, Native communities, rural students, children of active-duty military families, refugees, first-generation college students, and unhoused individuals.
Grant Oliphant, CEO of the Prebys Foundation, emphasized the importance of supporting youth well-being. “San Diego can become a national model by consistently supporting youth well-being. The health and vitality of our youth are crucial for a vibrant future. Our investment aims to ensure that San Diego’s young individuals are thriving and empowered to explore who they are and build meaningful community ties,” said Oliphant.
These efforts come at a critical time as mental health challenges remain the leading cause of disability and adverse life outcomes among young people in the U.S., a situation further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the increased need for upstream interventions, the Prebys Foundation is committed to providing essential support.
“We’re deeply honored to be among the 23 grantees” said Rose Courtney, Executive Director of B2M. “The funds granted will allow us to expand our group programs into more schools and reach 1,000 young men that need emotional support and mentorship.” she added. These groups aim to support male teens by providing positive role models and tools for personal growth. Through weekly mentoring sessions, youth build their self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and social management skills. It also seeks to grow the number of Spanish-speaking mentors and Spanish-language groups.
About Boys to Men Mentoring: Since 1996, Boys to Men has guided over 13,000 boys towards their “true north” through the principles of Listen, Accept, and Encourage. Currently, B2M empowers 750 boys weekly through in-school and after-school programs across 38 schools and 11 districts in San Diego County. B2M aims to expand into every high school and middle school within 5 years.
Learn more at www.boystomen.org. Instagram: @boystomen_sd // Facebook: facebook.com/boystomenmentoring
